Magpies Hockey RESULTS - 3, 4, 5 May 2008
Men's EHL Qualifying Tournament
Harleston Magpies 0-3 Durham Uni
In the first of the weekends 3 games Harleston faced a youthful Durham side. Harleston started slowly with Durham soon snatching the initiative pressing Harleston back hard. Harleston were struggling to string passes together as the tension of the occasion was adding to the problems. It was no surprise when Durham took the lead following a short corner. Despite Durham continuing to press the Harleston defence stood firm and did not concede again up until half time.
Harleston started to play the flowing hockey they are used to but didn't manage to create many clear cut chances. With the team pressing forward Durham were able to snatch two late goals. This result meant that the team had to win their two remaining games to stand any chance of gaining promotion.
Harleston 3-2 Harbourne
The Sunday game saw a different Harleston side taking to the pitch buoyed with believe the normal flowing hockey was soon being played. Harleston took the lead through an Andy Hipwell short corner. Harleston were dominating proceedings with the lions share of possession and soon doubled their lead through another Hipwell short corner.
With Harleston in control at the break Harbourne came out fighting in the second half and pulled two quick goals after a well taken short corner of their own and then a defence mix up resulted in Harbourne being awarded a penalty stroke which they converted. With the pressure now mounting Harleston snatched a late winner after Hipwell again ploughed through 4 tackles before firing low past the Harbourne keeper.
Harleston 3-1 Cardiff
Harleston went into this game knowing that a win by 4 clear goals would return them to the National League. The games started openly with both sides creating chances. Harleston were dealt a cruel blow half way through the first half when Cardiff struck first from a short corner.
Harleston never die spirit saw them fight straight back and were rewarded with an equaliser after a great finish from Tristan Baynes. The second half saw Harleston dominate again winning numerous short corners. Despite the pressure Cardiff stood strong and Harleston could only snatch 2 more goals through Carl Sith and Tristan Baynes both taking their chances well at short corners.
This meant that Harleston finished on 10 points with Durham and Cardiff but missed out on the top two spots on goal difference. Despite the final outcome Harleston can still look back at a successful season in 27 games loosing two and drawing one is a great achievement.
The season was a real squad effort and many thanks must go to Les Howlett and Robert Stimpson for all their efforts they have put in. A big thank you must also go to the many supports who travelled to Cannock to support the squad over the final weekend.
In the first of the weekends 3 games Harleston faced a youthful Durham side. Harleston started slowly with Durham soon snatching the initiative pressing Harleston back hard. Harleston were struggling to string passes together as the tension of the occasion was adding to the problems. It was no surprise when Durham took the lead following a short corner. Despite Durham continuing to press the Harleston defence stood firm and did not concede again up until half time.
Harleston started to play the flowing hockey they are used to but didn't manage to create many clear cut chances. With the team pressing forward Durham were able to snatch two late goals. This result meant that the team had to win their two remaining games to stand any chance of gaining promotion.
Harleston 3-2 Harbourne
The Sunday game saw a different Harleston side taking to the pitch buoyed with believe the normal flowing hockey was soon being played. Harleston took the lead through an Andy Hipwell short corner. Harleston were dominating proceedings with the lions share of possession and soon doubled their lead through another Hipwell short corner.
With Harleston in control at the break Harbourne came out fighting in the second half and pulled two quick goals after a well taken short corner of their own and then a defence mix up resulted in Harbourne being awarded a penalty stroke which they converted. With the pressure now mounting Harleston snatched a late winner after Hipwell again ploughed through 4 tackles before firing low past the Harbourne keeper.
Harleston 3-1 Cardiff
Harleston went into this game knowing that a win by 4 clear goals would return them to the National League. The games started openly with both sides creating chances. Harleston were dealt a cruel blow half way through the first half when Cardiff struck first from a short corner.
Harleston never die spirit saw them fight straight back and were rewarded with an equaliser after a great finish from Tristan Baynes. The second half saw Harleston dominate again winning numerous short corners. Despite the pressure Cardiff stood strong and Harleston could only snatch 2 more goals through Carl Sith and Tristan Baynes both taking their chances well at short corners.
This meant that Harleston finished on 10 points with Durham and Cardiff but missed out on the top two spots on goal difference. Despite the final outcome Harleston can still look back at a successful season in 27 games loosing two and drawing one is a great achievement.
The season was a real squad effort and many thanks must go to Les Howlett and Robert Stimpson for all their efforts they have put in. A big thank you must also go to the many supports who travelled to Cannock to support the squad over the final weekend.
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