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Sat 01 Oct 2022 ·  First Division North
Harwich and ParkestonWhittlesey Athletic
3
2
HARWICH RIDE THIER LUCK TO GAIN THREE IMPORTANT POINTS AGAINST WHITTLESEY
Terry Francis2 Oct 2022 - 10:53
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HAD THE BALL RUN MORE KINDLY FOR THEM SO FAR THIS SEASON THEN HARWICH COULD HAVE BEEN HIGHER UP THE LEAGUE BUT IN THIS MATCH THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE TURNED IN THEIR FAVOUR.
With first choice goalkeeper Brad Cook suspended and Reserve Jack Lines fitness in doubt earlier in the week, the Harwich Managers opted to call on Darren Gould, a Shrimpers legend now 48 years of age, raising a few eyebrows.
Whittlesey took the lead when following a corner there was a scrap for the ball in the goalmouth and Kieron Hibbins netted. The visitors threatened again with a downward header, but Darren Gould pulled off magnificent save to scoop the ball off the goal line to safety. Harwich had plenty of possession, forcing a string of corners which came to nought and were still trailing at half- time.
Within five minutes of the restart of the second half Harwich gained the lead. Matt Geen broke through the visitor's defence to hit his shot under the goalkeeper for the equalizer. Harwich then went into the lead with the best move of the match with Geen again prominent setting up Luke Mayhew who passed the ball to skipper Gareth Heath to apply the finishing touch. Whittlesey were back on terms in the 70th minute when Ricky Hailstone came forward to elude his marker and score with a bullet header. Alfie Smith fired in a fierce 25-yard drive for the visitor's goalkeeper to make an excellent diving save and turn the ball around the post. Harwich regained the lead when following a corner, they struck the crossbar and Luke Mayhew forced the ball over the goal line. The Shrimpers were showing moments of individual skill but couldn't get their game together. The Harwich defence was shaky, and Whittlesey were on top in the last 15 minutes with opportunities flashing across the home goalmouth. Darren Gould managed to toe end a goal bound shot away, certainly not letting the team down, with his performance, together with that of Matt Geen, being a bright spot in the Shrimpers showing.
Harwich team: Darren Gould, Shaun Kioussis, Jack Wood, Nathan Kioussis, Reece Harte, Brandon Rusby, Alfie Smith, Rob Pratt, Gareth Heath, Luke Mayhew and Matt Geen. Substitutes: Owen Rayment, Jay Eggercihs and Niall Windred.
Whittlesey took the lead when following a corner there was a scrap for the ball in the goalmouth and Kieron Hibbins netted. The visitors threatened again with a downward header, but Darren Gould pulled off magnificent save to scoop the ball off the goal line to safety. Harwich had plenty of possession, forcing a string of corners which came to nought and were still trailing at half- time.
Within five minutes of the restart of the second half Harwich gained the lead. Matt Geen broke through the visitor's defence to hit his shot under the goalkeeper for the equalizer. Harwich then went into the lead with the best move of the match with Geen again prominent setting up Luke Mayhew who passed the ball to skipper Gareth Heath to apply the finishing touch. Whittlesey were back on terms in the 70th minute when Ricky Hailstone came forward to elude his marker and score with a bullet header. Alfie Smith fired in a fierce 25-yard drive for the visitor's goalkeeper to make an excellent diving save and turn the ball around the post. Harwich regained the lead when following a corner, they struck the crossbar and Luke Mayhew forced the ball over the goal line. The Shrimpers were showing moments of individual skill but couldn't get their game together. The Harwich defence was shaky, and Whittlesey were on top in the last 15 minutes with opportunities flashing across the home goalmouth. Darren Gould managed to toe end a goal bound shot away, certainly not letting the team down, with his performance, together with that of Matt Geen, being a bright spot in the Shrimpers showing.
Harwich team: Darren Gould, Shaun Kioussis, Jack Wood, Nathan Kioussis, Reece Harte, Brandon Rusby, Alfie Smith, Rob Pratt, Gareth Heath, Luke Mayhew and Matt Geen. Substitutes: Owen Rayment, Jay Eggercihs and Niall Windred.
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