1st Half
Upminster pressed forward from the push back, with Riva Siggins a constant threat together with Issey Uzal & Freya Long’s tireless running and Drew Bailey giving support the Harleston defence were put under early pressure whilst Lauren Slater-Harvey’s long passes from deep kept the play in the Harleston half.
A mazy dribble into the Harleston D from her own half by Siggins saw the Keeper quickly out saving at her feet whilst an early S/Corner tested the Harleston defence.
With Harleston settling and pressing forward Upminster’s defence remained solid with Charlotte Triggs called into action on several occasions, including making a point blank save at the on coming forwards feet.
A long pass into the Upminster D found the Harleston forward unchallenged who swept the ball under the advancing Triggs 1-0 19 mins.
Upminster continued to press forward Slater – Harvey’s long pass found Siggins in the D forcing a S/Corner, Imogen Hodges injection was returned to her and from close range she finished well over the on rushing Keeper 1-1.
With both Teams using the ball out wide and with space to press forward both defensive units worked hard to clear any danger whilst both Keepers were alert to anything that came their way.
2nd Half
Harleston upped their game in the 2nd Half continually attacking out wide and driving in from the baseline, unable to clear play downfield Upminster were under constant pressure, Triggs saving a reverse stick effort and seeing an effort hit the post, whilst Bailey was alert to clear away a S/Corner routine.
Settling into the half Upminster’s Alexa Marston began to skilfully evade her marker allowing her to continually drive towards the Harleston D, together with searching passes forward Upminster began testing the Harleston Defence.
With the game opening up both Keepers were in constant action , with several exchange of passes Upminster kept Harleston defending deep into their own D earning several S/Corner’s which with a combination of Keeper and defenders were cleared , whilst Halleston’s baseline drive had Triggs diving and saving with her stick hand and saving at a forwards feet.
From a further S/Corner the Harleston defender was penalised on the goal line , a Flick being awarded. Lucy Falzon converted high past the Keeper 2-1 on 58 Mins.
With Harleston raising the tempo Upminster began to defend deeper with players forward and the pressure mounting two S/Corners were conceded, from the first a quick passing movement allowed the forward to strike home through the on rushing defence and from the 2nd S/Corner on 30 Mins a straight strike was deflected past Triggs as she came out.
Harleston Magpies steal the Points.
