MEN'S CONFERENCE EAST: Harleston Magpies returned to action in impressive fashion when they beat high-flying Holcombe 3-0 in a re-arranged game at Weybread to move up to fifth place in the table.

Harleston started on the front foot and took the lead after 26 minutes when a well-worked move down the right resulted in Andy Hipwell slotting home. Holcombe responded with some pressure but Harleston stood firm as Mark Wheelhouse marshalled the defence.

The start of the second half saw Harleston come out firing and over a ten-minute period they created chances at will, with good interplay between Carl Sitch, Andy Hipwell, Simon Hipwell and Pete Bale. These chances came and went but it was only a matter of time before they would be rewarded. The second goal did, however, have a bit of fortune about it as Simon Hipwell's wayward cross was missed by the goalkeeper, allowing the ball to hit the inside of a post before presenting itself to James Fanger to score from close range.

Harleston continued to dominate and after 55 minutes Andy Hipwell surged through, penetrating the Holcombe defence before laying a sublime reverse stick pass to Will Martin who re-directed the ball into the Holcombe goal.

Holcombe did start to threaten but by this stage it was all too late as the Harleston defence stood firm, reducing them to only a couple of short corner attempts while still looking dangerous in attack.