With the ground hardened by the weather, both teams took time to settle. Harwich began to create chances with Knight, Coyle and Bartlett all having opportunities. For Benfleet, Brandon Ward forced Harwich goalkeeper Sam Felgate to make a good save. Harwich took the lead in the 30th minute with Felgate advancing and sending a long clearance to striker Jordan Heath who beat Benfleet keeper Danny Confrey to the ball and netted. Benfleet were dangerous on the break but Harwich could have had more than their one goal lead at half time. After the break Harwich won a free kick just inches outside the penalty area and Confrey made a super diving save to push out Kevin Coyle's free kick. Prompted by the astute Jamie Williams, Benfleet made determined efforts to get an equaliser with Shrimpers central defenders Michael Murray and Dan Clark making some good tackles to keep them at bay. Having weathered this period, Harwich came back strongly and Coyle's towering header struck the far post and bounced to safety. In the closing stages, under pressure Harwich defender Nicky Palmer got too much power in his header back to Felgate who had to make an excellent catch to avoid an own goal. It had been an exciting second half and in the very last minute Harwich put the result beyond doubt when hard working skipper Heath went on another determined run and when his shot was blocked the ball came back out and hit him before going into the net for the Shrimpers second goal.
Harwich Managers Keiron Shelley and Michael Wallace were delighted with the application that their team showed when things were not always working out and said that the difference showed in that this was a match which they would have lost a few weeks ago.
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