HARWICH IN TOP HALF OF THE LEAGUE TABLE AFTER VICTORY AT PARSON DROVE

REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS

Harwich were on the front foot from the kick off and made a bright start to the match. After only two minutes Joe Knight went close for the Shrimpers with a header that went just over the crossbar and within another three minutes Chris Stratton gave them the lead with a crisp shot taken from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the net which gave the home goalkeeper no chance. Knight had another chance which the keeper did well to push over the bar. Harwich continued to dominate with Gareth Heath whipping in a cross which Jack Wood headed just over and then Alfie Smith fired a great ball into the penalty box for Knight to again be unlucky with his header going just over. It was against the run of play that Parson Drove equalised in the 30th minute with a deep cross that was side footed into the net. Harwich had a brief spell of uncertainty when Parson Drove attacked and looked likely to score. The Shrimpers regained their composure and just before half time restored their lead with a really good move, Knight, with his back to goal, laying the ball off for Gareth Heath, from outside the penalty area to score with a typical shot to give the keeper no chance of saving.
Parson Drove came out for the second half in determined mood and went close on two occasions with the ball skimming the Harwich crossbar. The Shrimpers heeded the warning and were soon back on the attack with Knight having a goal ruled out with a close offside decision. Harwich brought on Jamie Eades for Stratton, who had enjoyed a good first start, and within five minutes Matt Geen played a one-two with Knight who squared the ball inside the box for Eades to increase Harwich lead to 3-1. Eades then went close with a header from Heath's cross. With 80 minutes gone Geen made a break down the right flank and squared the ball for Knight to score the goal which he richly deserved.
Harwich Team: Brad Cook, Dan Roots, Shaun Kioussis, Jack Wood, Reece Harte, Alfie Smith, Brandon Rusby, Gareth Heath, Chris Stratton, Matt Geen, Joe Knight. Substitutes: Owen Rayment, Archie Corner, Jamie Eades (all used) and Daryl Eagle.