Harwich & Parkeston 0  -  Stanway Villa 2

A tough first season of 11 a side in the A league came to a close with the final game against Stanway Villa.  Villa, league runners-up win or lose were not giving an inch as always.  First to the ball and never afraid to challenge, Villa controlled the game in midfield and time after time Harwich defence was put under pressure.  A loose ball across the goal face was closed down in what looked like slow motion and Villa took the lead.  A good run by Sam Pratt was squared to Justin Cook only for him to be unluckily deemed offside.  Harwich going forward looked quite able to cause problems but good work by the calm Villa captain at left back kept Harwich at bay.  Half time 1-0.

The second half was much like the first with Harwich defending well and looking dangerous in the final third but good defending by Villa snuffed out any chances Harwich made.  Villa’s second goal was much like the first.  A dangerous ball in front of the goal was looked at for a bit by Harwich until a Villa striker decided to tap it in . . . . very lazy, basic mistakes cost Harwich the game.  The final score 2-0 to Stanway Villa.  This game was very frustrating when you know how Harwich can play when they all put their minds to it!

The semi-final of the league cup is coming soon and we must get our heads in gear and sort out these basic mistakes.

Man of the match was Jay Sims for his unrivalled passion and determination to get his and others jobs done.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Jake Bensalah, Sam Pratt, Edwin Fletcher, Elliott Attrill, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor, Callum Boyne Oliver Guest, Justin Cook and Jack Bushell


Harwich & Parkeston under 11s are looking to increase their squad for another season in the A League.  We are looking for boys going up to Year 7 in September to join our successful friendly team.  You must be committed and willing to learn.  Trained by a qualified FA coach who is CRB checked.  For more information phone Paul Sims (Manager/Coach) on 01255 556670.

Harwich & Parkeston 3  -  Clacton United Blues 2

Harwich were home to Clacton United Blues and immediately Harwich applied
pressure with some penetrating runs from Justin Cook.  A ball through was met by
Cook who had a good shot saved by the Clacton keeper.  7 minutes in and another
finely threaded ball was met once again by Cook as he outpaced the Clacton
defence time and again but this time he coolly nudged it over the keeper to put
Harwich up.  Clacton were creating chances and an uncleared corner found the
Harwich net to equalise.  On 15 minutes an intercepted pass from a Harwich
defender was pounced upon and finished off to put Clacton up in what was a good
end to end cup match.

Harwich were lazy with their tackling and just didn’t fight to keep or win back
the ball and this nearly cost them dearly when another superb shot from Clacton
destined for the top of the goal was unbelievably fingertipped over the bar by
the always on form Luke Palmer in the Harwich goal.  Half time 2-1 to Clacton.

Hairdryer treatment at half time for Harwich livened them up and they started to
win and keep the ball more.  Harwich applied more pressure and Clacton were
forced into making errors and started to give away free kicks on the edge of
their box.  The first was sent just wide but 35 minutes in and a free kick by
Edwin Fletcher dipped into the side of the net for the equaliser.

The game now changed and Clacton looked a little unsteady.  Good work down the
flanks was forcing Clacton into giving away corners and with about 10 minutes to
play a ball across the face of the Clacton box was met by Jay Sims who calmly
knocked it in to put Harwich in front.  Clacton still tried there best but to no
avail and the final whistle blew with the score 3-2 in Harwich favour.

Man of the match was Luke Palmer for the save of the season (again) to keep
Harwich hopes alive and he’s ability to always be where it matters.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Jake Bensalah, Sam Pratt,
Edwin Fletcher, Oliver Guest, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Harry Mant, Archie
Gravenor, Callum Boyne and Jack Bushell
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
Sunday 10th February � KO 10.30am
A League

Harwich & Parkeston 6  -  1 Halstead Town Reds

A confident Harwich fancied this game from the off.  With a key defender back it wasn’t long before their confidence was rewarded.  Sam Pratt picked the ball up on the halfway line and proceeded to demolish Halstead with his pace and fantastic run.  He finished with an equally good goal on 4 minutes.  The opposite side of the pitch now and a good ball through from Jay Sims to Edwin Fletcher in his own half saw him run it all the way to goal and slot home for Harwich’s second.  15 minutes into the game and a great kick out by Harwich keeper, Luke Palmer was latched onto by Pratt who duly dispatched the retreating Halstead players and put Harwich 3 up.

Harwich overly confident now fell asleep at the back, not for the first time this season and let Halstead have a goal back.  A bad tackle saw Fletcher come off for 10 minutes but Harwich kept the pressure on.  With Fletcher back on a free kick on the edge of the Halstead box was slotted into the top of the net to put Harwich 4-1 at half time.

The second half Halstead tighten themselves up at the back but have little going forward.  Another ball from Sims to Fletcher on the edge of the box sees him jink one way, turn the other and crack it into the top corner for his hat-trick.  Halstead on the back foot now cut out a few good chances from Harwich only for Fletcher to get through once again and slot home the 6th goal of the match.

A great performance with every Harwich player doing their bit and some doing a little more.  Another good team display.

Man of the match was very hard to call today, could’ve been three or four players but Edwin Fletcher nicked it for his hard work and goal tally.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Jay Sims, Jake Bensalah, Joshua Lammas, Sam Pratt, Oliver Guest, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Edwin Fletcher, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor and Callum Boyne
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
Sunday 3rd February – KO 10.30pm
A League

Halstead Town Blues 3  -  3 Harwich & Parkeston

Cold, windy, mid winter and on top of a sloping hill - perfect conditions for a
great game.  Harwich were at Halstead and both teams came out with goals on
their mind.  Harwich have improved immensely going forward and can score against
anyone but they still need to settle again at the back, not an easy job with
players leaving and an injury every week but they now have the basis of a solid
team and this showed with their mentality to battle for each other.

Both teams on the offensive and chances falling both ends, good work by Harwich
undone in a moment when Halstead left winger got to the by-line after a twisty
turny run.  Some good work by Harwich right back, Harry Mant slowed him down but
the ball is crossed low across the box only to find an unmarked striker mid goal
on the line just waiting to tap it in which he duly done.  Very sloppy.  1-0
Halstead.

End to end in this game and a lovely ball by Jay Sims on the counter at left
back to Edwin Fletcher down the left wing was met by a great touch to the edge
of the Halstead box and a fantastic strike on the move to even the score 1-1. 
Five minutes from half time a strong run by Halstead through the Harwich defence
was finished sweetly into the corner of the net to put Halstead 2-1 up at half
time.

The second half was still end to end stuff with some good work by both teams in
mid field and down the wings.  10 minutes in and a big decision by the ref may
have changed the game when he awarded a penalty to Halstead for what was frankly
a good strong challenge.  It was up to the keeper, Luke Palmer to try and keep
Harwich in the game.  He looked confident and made himself look big which must
have made the taker think about it too much as he smashed it wide.  Still 2-1 a
quick ball to Sims was taken as far as the halfway line where the ball was
passed to Fletcher who rounded his man and crossed into the goal mouth where
Archie Gravenor, who has been in good form lately, volleyed home to equal the
score once again.  2-2 but far from over.  A foul on the edge of the Harwich box
gave Halstead a great chance to go up again.  A fine free-kick into the heart of
the 6yd box was bravely fisted away by Palmer through a crowd of players. 
Crisis averted once again!

Harwich should have gone 3-2 up after a great run by Sam Pratt on the right wing
saw him square the ball in the 6 yd box to Fletcher who passed the ball into the
net only to be given off-side, very unlucky!

A good move by Halstead on the right opened up Harwich and a ball across field
was met by their striker who calmly slotted it home to go 3-2 up.  Some good
work in midfield won the ball back and a ball to Callum Boyne saw him power his
way through a couple of defenders and on goal poke it in to even the score once
again.  A final push by Harwich was unlucky not to get the winner when a shot by
Justin Cook just went over the bar.  Full time 3-3.

Both teams could have and maybe should have got the winner but a draw was a fair
result after an entertaining and gritty game.

Man of the match was Callum Boyne for his power and determination in midfield.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Jay Sims, Jake Bensalah, Sam Pratt, Oliver Guest,
Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill,  Edwin Fletcher,  Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor and
Callum Boyne
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
2nd Round – Open Cup
Sunday 27th January 2008 – KO 2pm


Stanway Rovers Blues 5 – 2 Harwich & Parkeston

Previous meetings have seen Rovers come out on top 10-0 and 7-0 so it was
obvious to Harwich that if they gave Rovers an inch they would take a mile. 
From the start it was going to be an uphill struggle with Harwich only having 11
players . . . but did these 11 play their hearts out.  Harwich were holding
strong from the off and saw the ever resourceful Rovers with a few chances. 
Harwich having to play on the break were looking very dangerous with Ed Fletcher
and Sam Pratt both wide, Olly Guest and Archie Gravenor up front causing
problems for Rovers.  A hard fought game was eventually rewarded when Rovers
player in the box was just left to control turn and shoot to put Rovers up.

Harwich took the fight to Rovers and were still looking more than capable of
evening up the score but Harwich, a little sloppy at the back, were leaving
space and not picking up their players.  This led to Rovers getting through on
the keeper and slotting home to put Rovers 2 up.  Déjà view . . . no, Harwich
were having none of it!  Harwich set about getting even and on 18 minutes saw
Gravenor control on the edge of the box and fired home a cracking shot to make
it 2-1.  Adrenaline flowed and within the next 5 minutes Gravenor had equalised
when he rounded the last defender and finished quickly and efficiently on his
left foot.  Rovers probably for the first time in a long time looked shaky with
Harwich pressing.  Once again Rovers found themselves in the Harwich box with
their quick passing and just before half time they made it 3-2.

The second half Harwich held good for 10 minutes and were still breaking through
but after a hard fought 35-40 minutes were starting to tire.  A bad tackle on
Harwich captain, Edwin Fletcher, saw him go off and Harwich were down to 10 men. 
Harwich picked up a couple more injuries and unable to swop personnel were
starting to get overrun.  Goal number 4 went in after a great block by Callum
Boyne looped over the keeper, Luke Palmer and left him with no chance.

Fletcher came back on with about 5 minutes to play but a clever run by the
Rovers attacker left Harwich standing and he finished off the 5th.  Final score
5-2.

Man of the match was Archie Gravenor for 2 great goals and some superb tackling
and pressuring at all times.

Team mention:  Every boy gave 110% and were only beaten by a lack of personnel.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Jake Bensalah, Sam Pratt,
Edwin Fletcher, Elliott Attrill, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor, Callum Boyne and
Oliver Guest
 

Sunday 6th January 2008 – KO 1.00pm

A League

Stanway Rovers Reds 4  -  5 Harwich & Parkeston

Missing players had forced a different set-up but Harwich going forward looked the most dangerous they have all season, and could’ve with a little more luck and composure been 2-3 up in the first 5 minutes.  Time after time their movement and pace on both sides and down the centre opened Stanway up.  A counter attack by Stanway caught Harwich midfield out of position and Harwich backs outnumbered; they broke the deadlock and went 1 up.  This shocked Harwich who in their minds were already winning but not on paper!  Pressure continued on the Stanway box and some fantastic passing and movement by Elliott Attrill and Sam Pratt put Pratt through and he slotted home to draw level.  Some good strong work down the left saw Edwin Fletcher rewarded with a good goal to put Harwich in front.  Chances went begging at both ends with some good work as usual from Harwich keeper Luke Palmer.

Another great run by Fletcher was coolly finished off to put Harwich a deservedly 3-1 up at half-time.

The second half brought the saying a game of two halves to mind!  Harwich were still playing some fantastic football going forward and outside the box the ball fell to Justin Cook who placed the ball in the opposite top corner to make it 4-1.  A well worked corner by Harwich found the ball in the 6 yard box which was duly pounced upon by Olly Guest for his first goal of the season to make it 5-1.

At this point the game of two halves joined in and Harwich after all their hard work going forward started to tire.  Still pushing forward saw them out of position in mid field and unable to get back and it was soon 5-2 and then 5-3 came quite quickly.  No matter what the manager said about defence the boys still took it upon themselves that attack was the only form of defence.  5 minutes to go and the score was brought to 5-4 with the Harwich midfield and defence looking a shambles at times.  Thankfully time ran out and the score remained 5-4 in Harwich favour.  A fantastic 40 minutes performance but the last 20 minutes was something else.

Man of the match was Edwin Fletcher for his arduous work attacking and defending.


Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Sam Pratt, Oliver Guest, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Edwin Fletcher, Archie Gravenor and Callum Boyne

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
3rd Round – League Cup
Sunday 16th December 2007 – KO 10.30am

Harwich & Parkeston 4 – 2 Colchester Villa Blues

3rd round of the league cup saw Harwich facing Colchester Villa Blues.  All previous meetings have been hard fought matches and Harwich new this would be no different.  With only 11 players and no subs Harwich were ready for a battle.  Villa kicked off but Harwich were pressing straight away.  Good work throughout the team was putting Justin Cook and Archie Gravenor through on goal time and time again.  Harwich’s hard work in the final 3rd saw Villa give away corner after corner and a ball in front of Jay Sims was unlucky to find the cross bar.  At this point Harwich were unlucky not to be a couple up but it still could go either way and this was proved when Villa made a quick break, rounded the last defender and only a great save by Luke Palmer, from a great struck ball denied Villa the lead.

Harwich now on the back foot were being opened up by some good runs by the big Villa striker but some good counter attacking from Harwich was still causing Villa problems.  A well worked corner for Harwich saw Edwin Fletcher cross a lovely ball which was met with a great header from Josh Lammas to break the deadlock.  The score at half time was 1-0.

Both teams came out attacking after the break but a good ball out from Palmer to Sam Pratt down the wing saw him feed the ball to Gravenor in the centre who bullied his way through and one on one with the keeper saw him poke the ball into the corner of the net.  Harwich looked confident and settled into the routine of letting Villa come on to them and then counter attacking.

40 minutes in a goal kick from Villa fell to Callum Boyne in midfield who controlled the ball and immediately fired it back to make it 3-0.

A short time later a clever ball from Harry Mant was kicked from the half way line into the Villa 18yd box where Sims cleverly lobbed it over the keeper to put Harwich 4 up, and cruising so they thought.  All credit to Villa whose heads never went down managed to get 2 back but it was too little too late and the whistle blew for full time.

A good performance by the whole team made it difficult to pick a man of the match.  Luke Palmer in goal was outstanding again.  Harry Mant in a new position played very well and set up the last goal.  Justin Cook and Archie Gravenor are starting to look dangerous on the break and the rest of the team were solid as usual.  Man of the match however was Josh Lammas for his header which started us off, his calmness under pressure and movement back and forward into the danger areas.  A solid performance as always.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Jake Bensalah, Sam Pratt, Edwin Fletcher, Justin Cook, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor, Callum Boyne
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
Sunday 25th November 2007 – KO 10.30am

A League


Harwich & Parkeston 0 – 7 Stanway Rovers Blues

Harwich met unbeaten Stanway Rovers Blues for the second time this season.  Rovers came at Harwich in waves and for the first 5 minutes Harwich struggled to contain them.  Callum Boyne in midfield denied Rovers time and time again.  On 10 minutes the stand-in keeper, Jay Sims, pushed a shot destined for the top of the net over the bar to keep Harwich’s hopes alive.  Harwich began to settle and started to contain Rovers.  Their frustration was showing and Harwich took the play to them, attacking their goal.  A run from Edwin Fletcher down the left was denied the finishing shot by a great sliding tackle from the Rovers defender.  The score at half-time was 0-0.

The second half began with an onslaught from Rovers and Harwich could not contain them anymore.  With two goals in quick succession they took the steam out of Harwich.  Some great passing and movement from Rovers left Harwich floundering and soon it was 3 then 4-0.

Rovers pushed everyone up but this left space behind them and a great run from Justin Cook saw his shot unlucky to go wide.  Harry Mant brought on to right back and Josh Lammas moved midfield saw Harwich with impetus moving forward.  A great ball across the box was chested in by Lammas but the ref saw it as a handball and the goal was disallowed.  Rovers took advantage of the decision to break and score to make it 5-0.  Not long after a shot saved by Sims rebounded off his own player to make it 6-0.  Harwich still didn’t give up and a goal from Cook was deemed off-side.  Once more Rovers took advantage and the final score was 7-0.

Man of the match was Callum Boyne for his efforts in getting back to defend and his strength going forward.

Harwich Team:  Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Kane Britton, Sam Pratt, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Edwin Fletcher, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor, Callum Boyne and Corey Kirke-Bennett
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
2nd Round – League Cup
Sunday 18th November 2007 – KO 10.30am


Harwich & Parkeston 9 – 1 Boadicea Dynamos

Boadicea travelled to Harwich for the 2nd round of the league cup.  Harwich started well and a jinking run through the middle of the Boadicea defence saw Captain Edwin Fletcher slot the first goal home.  Three minutes later a ball threaded through the middle was met by a quick run from Justin Cook who calmly slotted home the second goal for Harwich, and his first of the season.  Another goal from Fletcher, two more from Callum Boyne, who was in outstanding form, and a sixth by Jay Sims made it 6-0 to Harwich on half time.

The second half began with a determined Boadicea catching Harwich asleep when they managed to break through the defence and get a goal back.  A few minutes later another great run by Fletcher saw him complete his hat-trick.  Sam Pratt, in good form as usual, finished off the match with two more goals for Harwich putting Harwich 9-1 up in what was an excellent team performance.

Man of the match was Edwin Fletcher for his hard work and good hat-trick.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Kane Britton, Sam Pratt, Edwin Fletcher, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Cory Kirke-Bennett, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor, Callum Boyne and Oliver Guest
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report A League
Sunday 11th November 2007 – KO 10.30pm

A League

Harwich & Parkeston 1 – 1 Lawford Juniors

Fourth place was up for grabs with the second meeting of Harwich and Lawford.  Harwich started well looking the stronger team, but it was always going to be a tight game and it showed at half time when the score remained 0-0.
The second half continued with Harwich still pushing but the Lawford defence held firm.  A strong run by Edwin Fletcher down the left wing saw his shot on goal hit the far post.  A waiting Sam Pratt found the ball at his feet and from a tight angle smashed it in for the lead.
The game, far from over picked up pace, as Harwich went to finish it and Lawford went for the equaliser.  Two quick passes by Justin Cook and Pratt saw Corey Kirke-Bennett’s shot just go wide.
The game was going end to end and a loose ball on the edge of the Harwich box was not shut down quick enough and a good strike by Lawfords’ Harry Mann saw the ball hit the top of the net, giving Luke Palmer no chance to save it.
Lawford created a last counter-attack and managed to hit the net only for the goal to be deemed off-side, much to Harwich’s relief.
Harwich continued to battle and were unlucky not to walk away with the three points.  Final score 1-1.

Man of the match was Sam Pratt for his strength going forward.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Kane Britton, Sam Pratt, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Edwin Fletcher, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor and Callum Boyne, Corey Kirke-Bennett
 

Sunday 4th November 2007 – KO 10.30pm
A League

Halstead Town Reds 3  -  4 Harwich & Parkeston

Mid v bottom of the table clash showed Harwich how tough the A league is . . . . if they didn’t know by now!

Jay Sims had to work incredibly hard in his centre mid role and at times looked more like a centre back.  No sooner had they pushed up they were back in their own half and Sims made some telling tackles just as Halstead were about to pull the trigger.  Finally Sims was given a reward for his hard work when a ball he won on the half way line was immediately dispatched wide left to Edwin Fletcher who made a lovely run with Sims in tow, Fletcher squared the ball to Sims who calmly placed it in the back of the net to put Harwich 1 up.  The good move was quickly undone by a sloppy looking Harwich and Halstead managed to pull one back to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half Harwich started lazily and within 15 minutes they were badly punished and the score was 3-1 to Halstead.  This could have been more if it were not for the Harwich keeper, Luke Palmer, who was one step ahead of his defence.

Callum Boyne who had been subbed in the first half was put back on as striker and told to work hard to keep his place, which he duly done and almost immediately the team changed.  Sam Pratt down the right wing had been working hard all game but now had support and a great run and finish saw him bring the score back to 3-2.  Time was running out for Harwich and another attack from Halstead was cut out at the back by Josh Lammas who threaded a pass down the line to Sam Pratt, who run it just short of the bye line and crossed in.  It was met by two Harwich feet but Boyne had just beaten Sims to the near post and got the goal after the move of the day which put the score at 3-3.  The Ref was now asked how long and replied 1 minute.  30 seconds in midfield to win the ball back and 10 seconds to get it to the edge of the Halstead box, a bouncing ball seemingly waiting for the whistle to blow saw Boyne shape up and hit what was the last kick of the match at goal.  In slow motion and looking like it was going over the bar the ball dipped into the top of the net to make the score 4-3 to Harwich in what must be the grittiest 10 minutes they’ve ever played.

Man of the match was Jay Sims for his passing, movement and defending where and when necessary.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Kane Britton, Sam Pratt, Oliver Guest, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Luke Mayhew, Edwin Fletcher, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor and Callum Boyne
 

Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
Sunday 28th October 2007 – KO 12.00pm

Harwich & Parkeston 1 
  Elmden Rovers 1

Wet and windy conditions made for a tough match.  Harwich started well pressuring the Elmden defence.  Harwich battled in midfield and were winning the ball with Jay Sims spreading play quickly forward and down the wings only for the forwards to be caught offside time and time again with more than a few borderline decisions going Elmden’s way.
Sam Pratt as always was on good form and after a great run past the final defender was unlucky to have a good shot saved.  Oliver Guest in his first match was getting in the faces of the defence and his passing and movement was causing them problems, a great one, two was followed by a good shot which just went wide.
Harwich were unlucky not to have had a couple of goals but on 20 minutes against the run of play the deadlock was broken when a quick counter attack saw Elmden catch Harwich sleeping and broke through to find the back of the Harwich net.  At half time the score was 1-0 to Elmden.

The second half saw an up-tempo game with Harwich still pushing to the limit but getting no joy in the off-side department until another great run through by Sam Pratt was finished with another great strike only to be parried by the goalkeeper into the path of Luke Mayhew who made it 1-1.

Game on and both teams now fancied themselves to get the winner in this end to end battle.  The Harwich back 4 were again steadfast but at times were still doing some last ditch defending.  Jake Bensalah and Ian Payne were immense in their centre back roles.  Also Luke Palmer in goal made a couple of fantastic reflex saves which kept the score at 1-1.  On 50 minutes Harwich should have got the winner they deserved when Mayhew won the ball in his own half and went on a run down the left wing where he proceeded to lose the ball and win it back again to carry on to the bye line, where he was tackled once again, only to win it back again and found himself with space but at an impossible angle to shoot.  A ball back to the Harwich attackers lining up would have surely finished the game but he shot it straight at the keeper and another Elmden break was on.  Both teams were now getting tired in this hard fought clash.  A through ball by Elliott Attrill was met, after a lung bursting run by Callum Boyne who struck it low and hard only to be met by another great save by the in form Elmden keeper in what was practically the last kick of the game.  Final score 1-1.

Man of the match was Ian Payne.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Kane Britton, Sam Pratt, Oliver Guest, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Luke Mayhew, Cory Kirke-Bennett, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor and Callum Boyne
 

1st Round – League Cup
Sunday 14th October 2007 – KO 10.30am

Elmden Rovers 1 
  Harwich & Parkeston 2

Harwich were away to Elmden Rovers in the first round of the League Cup.  Harwich pressed from the off and almost immediately scored.  Elliott Attrill held the ball well and was distributing some great passes through and beyond the Elmden Rovers back 4 and it wasn’t long before Luke Mayhew latched onto one with a great run at the goalie and a shot across the goal face which may have gone in only to be finished by Sam Pratt.  Harwich looked confident going forward and could have scored 3 or 4 if it were not for some last ditch defending from Elmden.  Elmden had a few chances but were being caught off-side by the Harwich defence time and time again.  Elmden’s best chance came when a ball into the Harwich box saw their striker just beaten to it by a brave and strong save by Luke Palmer.
The second half began with another great through ball from the Harwich midfield which saw a fine run by Mayhew, followed by a great strike into the top corner of the net to put Harwich 2 up within a couple of minutes.  Harwich relaxed and sat back a little too much and allowed Elmden to come onto them.  A counter attack by Harwich saw a jinking move on the edge of the Elmden box by Edwin Fletcher and a great shot that just went wide that would’ve finished the match.   10 minutes from time Elmden were rewarded with a goal to make it 2-1.  Elmden spurred on by this were now playing the more aggressive football and were troubling Harwich in their box but to no avail, thanks to the solid work by the Harwich defence.  Final score Elmden Rovers 1  -  Harwich & Parkeston 2.

Man of the match was Josh Lammas for his calm and confident defending under pressure.

Harwich Team:  Luke Palmer, Joshua Lammas,  Jay Sims, Ian Payne, Jake Bensalah, Kane Britton, Sam Pratt, Edwin Fletcher, Justin Cook, Elliott Attrill, Luke Mayhew, Cory Kirke-Bennett, Joe Holding, Harry Mant, Archie Gravenor and Callum Boyne


Lawford Juniors 2 
  Harwich & Parkeston 2
Sunday 7th October 2007 – KO 12.00pm


Harwich travelled to Lawford with two new players.  From the start this was going to be a hard fought battle.  The first chance came to Harwich when Justin Cook broke through the Lawford defence and struck a good shot only to be saved by the Lawford keeper.  The ball travelled end to end with both sides unable to take the odd chances they had.  Both teams fought hard all over the pitch and a low struck shot from a Lawford striker went through the Harwich defence and under the Harwich keeper, Luke Palmer to make it 1-0 to Lawford.
Harwich were spurred on by this as they had been having most of the play up until this time.  An injury to their captain, Edwin Fletcher meant he had to come off.  Five minutes passed and Fletcher came back on for Corey Kirke-Bennett who had done some sterling work up front keeping the Lawford backs under pressure.  A break two minutes from half time bought a great one handed save by Palmer to keep Harwich in the game.  It was 1-0 at half time.
The second half saw Sam Pratt up front alongside Luke Mayhew and they started to cause problems.  Five minutes in Mayhew struck a ball on the edge of the 6 yard box which went high and into the top of the net to equal the score.  Adrenaline flowing now, Harwich went at Lawford and eight minutes later Fletcher made space just inside the box and lobbed the keeper to put Harwich 2-1 up.  Lawford were not going to be beaten and unleashed a couple of great strikes only to be saved by great reflex saves by Palmer in goal once again.  By now both teams looked a bit ragged and worn out.  A tired back pass was pounced upon by Lawford and duly buried in the top of the net to equal the score.
Tired bodies saw chances both ends and a late tackle 25 yards out gave Harwich a free kick.  Fletcher fired the free kick into the area and it bounced over the keeper to score, only to be disallowed for off-side.  Not long after the final whistle was blown and the score finished 2-2 in a great game which saw every player give 100% and Harwich unlucky not to gain the 3 points.

Man of the match Luke Palmer for his great saves which kept Harwich in the game.


Harwich & Parkeston U11s Match Report
Sunday 23rd September 2007 – KO 10.30am


Harwich & Parkeston 2  -  Rowhedge Juniors 1

Harwich & Parkeston U11s started what they knew would be a tough season in the A league with two harsh lessons.  First at home to Halstead where they were beaten 4-0 and secondly away to Stanway Rovers Blues which ended in a 10-0 drubbing.

Last weekend Rowhedge Juniors came to Harwich and Harwich seemed to have learned a little, looking tighter and a lot more determined.  Moves into the Harwich box were snuffed out by their backs who were defending well and covering excellently for each other.  Good work throughout the team saw the ball in the Rowhedge box on a number of occasions only to be snuffed out by the Rowhedge defence.  Some great runs by Sam Pratt down the wing were causing distress to Rowhedge and it wasn’t long before he beat the final defender and lashed a shot into the top of the net to break the deadlock.  Immediately Harwich gained in confidence and looked more settled on the ball and started to apply more pressure.  On 21 minutes a cross from Sam Pratt was met with a volley by Luke Mayhew to put Harwich 2 up which was the score at half time.