Harwich and Parkeston beaten by Wormley

After eight weeks without playing a match Harwich returned to action with a daunting trip to Wormley on the borders of Hertfordshire.

It was obvious with no action for such a long period Harwich were going to have acclimatisation issues.

However after a difficult opening 20 minutes Harwich gave a much better account of themselves than anticipated.

They will probably consider themselves unlucky to return pointless with the home side only securing their victory in injury time to give themselves a fortunate 2-0 scoreline.

Despite not playing for such a long period Harwich still found themselves with several players on the unavailable list.

Jay Eggerichs and Gareth Heath were unavailable due to work and Matt Geen, Nicky Palmer and Jamie Eades were ill or injured.

Connor McLaughlin Jordon Heath still remain on the long-term injury list so Harwich's options were limited especially in attack.

Recent new signings Rob Pratt and Steve Polley were both included in the starting line up and exciting youngster Alex Pryke started as substitute in his first involvement with the first team.

As stated Harwich started slowly and the opening 20 minutes looked as if Harwich were in for a troubled afternoon.

The home team attacked with pace on both flanks with two very lively forwards.

Harwich gifted the initiative to Wormley after 18 minutes.

A hopeful ball over the top of the Harwich defence for a home forward to run on to was not won by a midfielder.

Wormley quickly played the ball over the top of the Harwich defence for a forward to run onto and shoot past the advancing Brad Cook.

There were some desperate pleas for offside from the Harwich central defence but it appeared that a full-back had played the scorer onside.

Harwich to their credit did not capitulate and as they acclimatised to playing again settled into a positive mode of play and started to get into good attacking positions.

In fact on the half hour a good movement forward saw the ball met at the far post by the impressive Alfie Smith who blasted home only for Harwich jubilation to be cancelled out by a raised linesman's flag for offside.

Harwich more than matched Wormley for the rest of the half with both sides going close a couple of times.

The second half continued in the same fashion with play swinging from end to end but sadly without really many clear cut chances for either team.

Harwich probably created the best opportunity when a good ball wide over the home defence saw Rob Pratt race clear on the wing.

He placed a good pass back to the edge of the box but the onrushing Harwich forward blasted the ball high over the bar when he should have done better.

Shaun Kioussis brought a good save out of the home keeper with a low free-kick which was definitely on target and substitute Alex Pryke had a great run down the left before cutting inside and shooting agonisingly wide of the far post.

A few minutes later Pryke did well again racing on to a similar pass only for the flag to be raised yet again for offside.

Harwich kept pushing forward and the possibility of a deserved equaliser looked good.

But with time running out Wormley attacked down their right hand side and the winger escaped two challenges before his effort was blocked.

But the ball ran free to a fellow forward who slotted home despite a valiant effort from keeper Cook.

Probably not reflecting the percentage of play especially in the second half Harwich returned to Essex pointless but can look back positively to an acceptable return to action apart from the result.

Points are needed urgently to pull away from the relegation area and the Shrimpers move on to another difficult away fixture when they travel to Barkingside on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Harwich Reserves are at home to Tiptree Jobserve, kick-off 2pm.

Harwich have signed Brandon ⁦‪Rusby from neighbours Little Oakley.

Brandon will be available for the Shrimpers' trip to ⁦‪Barkingside FC.