Magpies set their sights on leaders

Magpies recorded their third successive win to beat fourth-placed Chelmsford and move within five points of leaders Ipswich.

Harleston Magpies 3, Chelmsford 1

Magpies recorded their third successive win to beat fourth-placed Chelmsford and move within five points of leaders Ipswich.

The hosts made a flying start as Angie Wheelhouse's cross into the circle saw Artemis Clark set up Ellie Bale to score after just two minutes.

Chelmsford responded well to this early setback and controlled the midfield for long spells as Magpies found it difficult to clear the ball out of their own half.

Despite all this pressure, Magpies defended well and Chelmsford found it difficult to create real scoring chances. Chelmsford won a string of penalty corners in the first half, but good goalkeeping from Lucy Hayman, erratic shooting and excellent defending ensured that Magpies turned round at half time 1-0 up against the run of play.

Magpies improved in the second half as their midfield took control of the game.

On 49 minutes a through ball from McAllen saw a great pick up on the reverse stick from Wheelhouse, who drove past the last defender to fire her shot past the goalkeeper.

Within a minute Magpies were 3-0 in front as great work from Frances Sumner saw her pass to Clark, who took the ball past the goalkeeper to score. These two terrific goals killed off Chelmsford as Magpies were now stretching the visitors' defence and Charlotte Harrison, playing as a makeshift forward, and Verity Blyth were causing problems.

On 58 minutes Chelmsford scored a consolation goal from Sarah Glanvill but Magpies saw out the final 12 minutes of the game and looked the more likely side to add to their three goals.

This was an excellent team performance made all the more creditable as they were missing two forwards, Cherry Seaborn and Emily Wilford, who played a big part in the win the previous week.

t Indian Gymkhana 1, Harleston Magpies 3

Magpies' men came from a goal down to win at Indian Gymkhana on Saturday and secure survival in the Men's Conference East.

With three games remaining, Magpies now stand nine points clear of Gymkhana, who are second from bottom, and the Norfolk side hold a vastly superior goal difference.

Tejinder Hanspal put the hosts in front on 26 minutes, but Andy Hipwell immediately restored parity for the visitors.

James Fanger added a second on 33 minutes and Tristan Baynes eased any lingering nerves with a third goal, after 46 minutes.