HARWICH & PARKESTON 1
NEEDHAM MARKET 2

11th August 2007

Kicking off the new season in front of a bumper crowd Harwich started promisingly, Calver connecting onto an Underwood cross in the 2^nd minute, the ball snaked over the bar with an empty goal beckoning. As the half progressed Needham settled and it was only a timely intervention by Robbie May that nicked the ball away from Szyszlyk as he was lining up a shot from 6yards. Harwich broke the deadlock in the 18^th minute, sub Luke Jones, replacing injured Jimmy Chatters, collected the ball, cut in from the left and cannoned a shot from 20yards that had the roof of the net bulging.

We didn’t have long to wait before Needham drew level, Graig Parker’s shot, through a gaggle of defenders, at first seemed to be cleared off the line by Tom Brannon, however the linesman immediately waved his flag and the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line. Needham had a chance to extend their lead with almost the last action of the half, Ed Wootons clearance only reaching Evans who attempted to lob a fast retreating Wooton,  the ball finishing a yard wide.

Occasional flashes from Harwich in the second half broke up a dominant performance by Needham and they made that dominance pay in the 62^nd minute, Matt Buckle side-footing home, following some good work down the left. Needham could have increased their lead still further Deacon, Evans and Szyszlyk all having good chances.