(Photo by Philip Lindhurst)

Harwich & Parkeston 1 Barkingside 1

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One South

Saturday 24^th October

Harwich are still looking for their first win of the season after being held to a 1-1 draw by a Barkingside outfit who themselves took a while to get going this term. There could be some glimmer of hope for the Shrimpers in the fact as they did not play like a team circulating a little too close to the relegation zone for comfort.

The visitors had their first chance inside the opening minute as Muyiwa Osenie used his pace to get down the right wing, delivering a cross into the box that was met by a powerful Joe Oates shot that was blazed over the bar.

The hosts then got down to playing some nice passing football, but the fact is they didn’t create much upfront. A Nicky Palmer free kick was headed clear, then another free kick into the Side box was headed wide by Adam Hampson. Meagre pickings considering Harwich were the more dominant side for the opening quarter of an hour. Side, who had created an opportunity early on where themselves unable to have another go at their opponent’s goal until the 16^th minute when the well-travelled James Peagram tried a cheeky lob that almost crept in at the right-hand post.

Harwich were able to find a way through in the 17^th minute though. Charlie Lindoe worked his way in from the left flank and delivered a cross into the middle that Jamie Beecham rifled into the net.

The lead was to last a mere three minutes though as Side won a free kick and from it Peagram unleashed a ferocious shot that left Sam Felgate rooted to the spot as it thumped against the post before crossing the line to draw Barkingside level.

Chances then dried up as both teams put in solid tackles, but the hosts did have the better of it in the closing stages of the half as Alfie Cutbush fired a shot wide, then Hampson had an effort tipped over the bar by Smith.

The second half opened with both teams looking to try and get a foothold. The hosts had were awarded a free kick inside the opening minutes of the half which saw Palmer have a free kick saved by the Side keeper. The visitors then launched their opening attack of the half resulting in Felgate having to get down low to keep out a Simpson effort. Oates had a shot deflected away in the 52^nd minute, it wasn’t until ten minutes later that there was another chance and this time it went Harwich’s way but Hampson could only drill his shot over the bar. Conor McLaughlin was able to at least get his shot on target but the visiting keeper was equal to it and pulled off a good save to keep the ball out.

Simpson placed a header wide for Barkingside in the 77^th minute; two minutes later Harman had a diagonal shot from the right hand side of the penalty box that crashed into the side-netting. Harman was to go on and receive a red card in the 87^th minute for a tackle on Shaquel Foyewa that looked to me to be studs first; as far as the referee was concerned it was and he duly dismissed Harman from the field of play.

But Barkingside had too little time left to make their advantage in numbers count and in any case they were only able to have one final go at the Harwich goal deep in stoppage time when Grant Francis stepped up and thumped a free kick wide of goal.

In the end a draw was a fair result; Barkingside will certainly be happy with picking up an away point. As for Harwich they must be wondering what they need to do to get a win, and whilst they at least didn’t lose this one they have played more games than the teams above them and need to start getting points on the board before they get cut adrift.

Harwich & Parkeston: Sam Felgate, Rory Harman, Jack Higgleton, Conor McLaughlin, Elvin Lartey, Nicky Palmer, Jamie Beecham, Alfie Cutbush, Adam Hampson (Billy Latto 89′), Wayne Blackman (Karl Andrade 55′), Charlie Lindoe (Harry Miller 77′).

Scorer – Jamie Beecham (27′).

Barkingside: Duncan Smith, Sam Gent, David Etcheri, Shaquel Foyewa, Elliot Scott, Nathan Saunders, Archie Hammond (Grant Francis 63′), Reece Simpson, James Peagram (Tobias Scott 77′), Joe Oates (Jordan Cornelius 77′), Muyewa Osenie.

Scorer – James Peagram (30′).