Harleston Magpies held to thrilling draw against Southgate

Magpies started the game trying to push high up the pitch and pressuring the Southgate defence but the home side also came out strong and created problems for Magpies, crashing balls through the press at times and causing the Magpies to have to defend well as a team.

Magpies carried on pressing high and created some scoring chances from short corners but it wasn't until the 25th minute that a chance was finally converted, Maria Andrews scoring a beautiful drag flick past the keeper and into the goal.

Magpies had settled into the game and were passing the ball well, still creating chances throughout the half but in the last minute of the half a ball hit into the circle deflected into the Magpies goal, levelling the score going in to half-time.

All was to play for and Magpies were focused on their opponents' goal, pressing hard and pinning Southgate into their half.

Within the first 30 seconds Andrews managed to shoot reverse stick at goal, forcing the Southgate goal keeper into a great save to keep them level.

In the next 15 minutes the game was concentrated in the Southgate half with crosses just missing the mark and shots narrowly missing the goal, keeping the score level.

Abby Gooderham then stepped up to take a penalty corner and guided the ball past the keeper in an excellent drag flick.

Magpies were ahead and kept on fighting, wanting to put the game out of reach but unfortunately this did not happen and in the last 10 minutes Southgate managed to hit the ball down in to Magpies half, creating momentum and putting pressure on Magpies.

This shift in momentum Magpies couldn't undo and in the 66th minute another crashed ball into the circle was miscontrolled by a Southgate forward and deflected slowly past the Magpies keeper, into the goal.

Magpies continued to fight for a win but with little time left the game was left at a 2-2 draw. Magpies play away at Cambridge next week at 12.30pm and hope to bring home three points.