Easton went into the game full of confidence after a convinicing performance the previous week, despite poor results over the last couple of years against the top sides in the division, knowing that it must be won to continue their push for promotion.

Tom Payne was welcomed back into the side as centre back with injuries to Andrew Jordan and Peter Keogh and Stu Halton returning to the squad as substitute.

Harleston started brightly confident of maintaining their own promotion ambitions, but weakened by the absense of their usual full backs. It wasn’t long before Easton started to exert some pressure on a very flat Harleston defence, counter attacking on each wing and forcing a number of corners. It was only due to a number of last ditch tackles from the Harleston centre back that Easton were not able to put pressure on the goal-keeper.

With belief growing every minute for Easton a number of fast flowing attacking moves were causing concern for the Harleston team, but the first real opportunity fell to the Harleston centre midfield player who found space in the box and shot low but found Chris Brownbridge in good form saving with his legs. Tim Wickham should probably have been awareded a penalty with the goalkeeper beaten and bringing the right winger down in the aftermath, but the referee waved play on.

This only spurred Easton on with Pete Anderson and Paul Gibbs starting to dominate in centre midfield it wasn’t long before Easton took the lead. Moggy got hold of the ball in the penalty area and with no danger being apparent wriggled free and shot a left foot drive into the far corner high in the roof of the net with the Harleston keeper having no chance.

Harleston were rocked by this and Easton piled forward on a number of occassions with only the occassional threat by a Harleston centre forward winning a number of headers, but well marshalled by Payne and back up from James Crane, who was outstanding throughout winning a number of key headers and showing composure on the floor, the Easton goal was not put under any heavy pressure.

Constant closing down from the whole team and with Matty and Tim Wickham a constant threat on the wings getting behind the full backs on a number of occassions underlined the fraility of the Harleston defence. It wasn’t long before a number of mistakes led to a few chances coming Eastons way. Moggy shot just wide from a long clearance from Brownbridge and again was unlucky after going through after a long pass from Anderson due to another excellent tackle. Eastons good work eventually paid off as Moggy was again too powerful the the Harleston defence and with the goalkeeper off his line Tim Wickham chipped in from 25 yards just inside the post.

The game slowed down towards half-time as both teams looked to see half-time out with no more goals after a frantic 40 minutes.

Often in the past when Easton have dominated the first half the second is disappointing but straight from the kick-off won the ball back through the constant harrasment of the Beanie and Moggie and this set the standard for the remaining 45. Beanie started to come alive after being woken up by Eddie Jacks phone call earlier in the afternoon and was unlucky on a number of occassions during the second half with the final touch just eluding him. Defensively Easton looked solid limiting Harleston to very few effots which allowed S.Shaw and S.Rix to support the attack.

Moggy continued with his man of the match display not allowing the Harleston defence to settle and Easton built their counter attacks off of this spurning a number of chances to make the game safe. Tim Wickham was replaced by S. Halton and immediately put the full back under pressure gliding past using his blistering pace a couple of times. Harleston looked to change their midfield to try and gain some momentum but time after time their space was limited due to the hardworking midfield. Harleston had half a chance with the big centre midfield player spinning in the box and shooting wide but this was a rare opportunity. Easton eventually finished the game with Beanie running onto a through ball to slot home.

Eddie Jack took this opportunity to enter the fray replacing the hard working Anderson in Midfield and was unlucky a couple of times not to be put through on goal. Harleston rallied towards the end with a couple of close range headers one of which Brownbridge acrobatically tipped over the bar.

A scoreline that did not flatter Eastons hardworking team performance that should provide momentum going into the last 10 games of the season. Performances like this until the end of the season should no complacency creep in should see them go close.

Note should also go to Easton Reserves who picked up a win and a clean sheet, congratulations to them and Joff (reserve team manager) and hopefully this will kick start a few results to give momentum into next season.

Top match report Pete.