LAWFORD LADS 0

HARWICH AND PARKESTON 2

Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division

WITH both teams anxious for a win to keep them clear of the bottom of the table, it was Harwich who had the edge and deserved their 2-0 victory.

The Shrimpers went close to scoring in the fifth minute, when, following some desperate defending by Lawford, Matt Geen smashed his shot against the bar.

The fierce wind made things difficult for both teams but, just before half-time, Ashley Wood brilliantly used the conditions to his advantage when he flighted his shot from the halfway line into the roof of the net to give Harwich a 1-0 lead.

The teams mastered the tricky conditions better during the second half and Hopkins, the Lawford keeper, did well to save Michael Hammond’s effort.

The important second goal for Harwich came in the 65th minute, when striker Ben Elliott, playing his second game for the club, blocked Hopkins’ attempted clearance and, while both were grounded, scored an opportunist goal by guiding his shot into the corner of the net.

Harwich had grown in confidence and Geen made a powerful run before shooting inches outside the post as the Shrimpers ended on top.

Harwich’s veterans’ match was not played because their opponents, Beacon Hill, were unable to raise a team.

Tomorrow, Harwich entertain West Bergholt at the Royal Oak in the Border League Knockout Cup (kick-off 2pm).