REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS

The match kicked off on a heavy surface following persistent morning and afternoon rain.
Pinchbeck started brightly and took the lead in the 10th minute when, following a break down the left-hand flank, Flynn Slater slotted home from close range.
Then, with 20 minutes on the clock, a long ball over the top of the Shrimpers' defence saw Julian Ward run on to stroke the ball past goalkeeper Brad Cook for United's second goal.
Harwich began to get their game together and in the 30th minute reduced the arrears when full-back Keelan Milburn knocked the ball into the penalty box where Luke Spurling was brought down and Joe Knight sent keeper Ben Martin the wrong way to score with his penalty kick.
The Harwich equaliser came 5 minutes later when Milburn sent over a well-directed corner kick for Dan Keeble to run onto and get up well to thump an unstoppable header into the net.
Harwich had mounted an excellent fightback and went in level at the interval.
Matt Carmichael's men started the second half strongly and in the 55th minute a long clearance fell perfectly for Spurling to run onto and give his team the lead, the centre forward beating Martin with a clinical finish.
The Shrimpers' tails were well and truly up now and Louie Bloom had a good shot well saved by Martin. Next Alfie Canning's good cross saw Knight head into the arms of the well-placed Martin.
However, in the 70th minute the duo repeated the move and this time when Canning set up Knight, his header was to good for Martin and Harwich's lead was extended to 4-2.
Shrimpers boss Matt Carmichael now wanted to get his substitutes involved in the action and in the space of 3 minutes brought on Luke Mayhew, Danny Garrad and Gareth Heath.
Harwich had been dominant during the second half but with the rain now heavy and conditions awful, in the final 10 minutes Pinchbeck came back into the game and Cook produced a wonder save, diving to tip the ball away for a corner.
Shrimpers central defenders Dan Keeble and Tyler Sullivan had been excellent throughout and also shone during this spell of Pinchbeck pressure.
It was an excellent performance from Harwich to take home 3 points in a match that on balance of chances could have ended up 6-3 in their favour.
A special mention to the referee and his assistants, who did so well in difficult weather conditions to see that the match was played to a conclusion.
Our thanks to Pinchbeck United Football Club for their warm welcome and excellent hospitality, which was much appreciated after a long journey.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Keelan Milburn, Dan Keeble, Tyler Sullivan, Reece Harte, Alfie Smith, Alfie Eldridge, Alfie Canning, Louie Bloom, Luke Spurling and Joe Knight. Substitutes: Luke Mayhew, Danny Garrad and Gareth Heath (all used).

Harwich and Parkeston

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