Womens 2s vs Blueharts W1

Harleston Magpies 2nd XI travelled to Blueharts HC comfortable in the league top four, but aware Blueharts needed points to remain safe. Magpies, fielding a young side, bringing in Tilly and Perdie for their 2nd XI debuts, knew it was going to be a battle.

Blueharts started strongly as expected and within the first 10 minutes were causing the Magpies defence problems. Strong attacking runs split the defence and Magpies were soon 1-0 down.

Magpies quickly responded, keeping possession in the attacking 3rd and when Issy found herself in space at the top of the D slotted the ball home with a reverse stick shot.

Blueharts were undeterred and went on the offence again. Magpies still had not sorted the challenges in defence and soon the pace and intensity of Blueharts forwards broke through and they went 2-1 up.

Magpies knew they needed to lift their game and began to move the ball around with more intensity. The forwards began to link up well and Issy found herself one on one with the keeper. Forcing the keeper wide to enable her to use her trademark reverse shot she levelled the scores.

Blueharts remained determined and kept Magpies back. A good press resulted in their centre forward intercepting the ball, rounding the keeper to take them 3-2 up.

With only minutes to go before half time Magpies won a penalty corner which was converted by Jess L after Kira’s shot was initially saved. 3-3 half time.

After an exciting first half Magpies came out for the second half to try to get a hold on the game. They dominated possession and used the flanks well. Magpies had to adjust their formation following a couple of injuries when Amelia twisted her knee and Jess S got hit on the hand. They continued to play positively but so did Blueharts. A number of penalty corners came and went for both sides.

The deadlock was finally broken when the ball fell to Charlie right on top of the circle. A clean strike powered past the keeper into the bottom corner. With 5 minutes to go Magpies managed the game until the end. The 4-3 win takes them to 3rd in the league with only 2 games to go until the end of the season.