East Premier A Cambridge University 1 Harleston Magpies 2 Harleston yet again started the game slowly with Cambridge piling on pressure early on. Despite this, the defence stayed solid and absorbed all the pressure, writes Leigh Sitch.

As the game descended into chaos, it was actually Harleston who took the lead. Under high pressure from Dave Gilbert, the Cambridge defender chucked an aerial off the side of the pitch.

The resulting sideline was then the basis for an exhilarating attack in which Gilbert and Jack Hobbs bounced the ball around between each other before Gilbert’s shot was deftly volleyed home by Sam Moore.

For the rest of the half, Harleston defended resolutely and repelled Cambridge whilst being unable to score themselves, thus leaving the score at 1-0 to the ‘pies at half time.

After the break, it was Cambridge who scored the next goal when a well-worked move resulted in one of their forwards finding himself unmarked with only the keeper to beat, and he slotted home comfortably.

Harleston looked to bounce back and had a plethora of chances zip past the back post with no result.

However Cambridge also found themselves with chances to score, the only things preventing them from doing so being some brilliant saves by eventual man of the match John Livings and a couple of excellent goal line clearances by Andrew Bedwell.

Whilst Harleston expertly kept the Cambridge boys from scoring, the forward line surged forwards desperately looking for a winner.

The goal finally came when Archie Winter threw a huge aerial over the top of the Cambridge defence to Hobbs, who expertly controlled and sliced the ball past the keeper.

The sides then returned to their relentless onslaught on the opposing defence but there were no more goals to come.

The game finished 2-1 to Harleston. Despite a very below average performance, the team must be commended on their willpower and determination to pull through and get the result.

This week the ‘pies go against St Albans in a top of the table clash. Definitely not one to miss!