WOMEN'S EAST CONFERENCE: Harleston Magpies remain third in the league after a comfortable 3-0 win at St Albans. Magpies started the game well but their hosts came back into the game and Lucy Hayman made several good saves to keep her side on level terms.

Harleston Magpies remain third in the league after a comfortable 3-0 win at St Albans.

Magpies started the game well but their hosts came back into the game and Lucy Hayman made several good saves to keep her side on level terms.

Magpies were fortunate to survive this difficult spell and against the run of play took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Emily Wilford's reverse stick cross was deflected by a St Albans defender into the path of Verity Blyth, who made no mistake.

St Albans were never the same team in the second half, with Bryony Lund playing well and Charlotte Harrison looking better every game.

Angie Wheelhouse's stick work was increasingly troubling the St Albans defence and she settled the match by scoring the second on 58 minutes as she dribbled into the circle and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. This was nothing less than Magpies deserved and with St Albans receiving a yellow card at the same time they were now struggling to contain Magpies. Wilford scored the third goal on 66 minutes to cap an excellent all round individual performance and bring some reality to the score line. On Sunday Magpies play Chelmsford at home (12.30).