REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS

Harwich started well and in the opening 5 minutes Alfie Canning went close with a shot.
The Shrimpers then won a succession of corner kicks, the best of which saw Luke Mayhew's delivery swerve in and hit the post.
After 15 minutes, Harwich mounted a well-worked move, initiated by Gareth Heath with a ball that he knocked into the penalty box for Mayhew to head back for Canning, whose overhead kick went inches over the crossbar.
Harwich remained on top and took the lead in the 30th minute when Mayhew cut inside to hit a shot which Sudbury goalkeeper Callum Arnold could only parry and the alert Louie Bloom hammered into the net from close range.
Five minutes later, Sudbury came close with a header that went just past the post.
After a half in which they had been dominant, Harwich went in with a slender 1-0 lead.
After the break, Harwich remained on top and 10 minutes into the second half they put together a lovely 3-man move started by full-back Reece Harte, who sent Luke Spurling away for him to lay the ball to Bloom. However, the striker could not apply the finishing touch.
Despite being under pressure, the young AFC Sudbury second string were fighting hard and proving difficult opponents to see off. Midway through the half they looked certain to equalise when they by -passed Shrimpers goalkeeper Brad Cook, who was forced to advance, but somehow Harwich youngster Oakley McNair, their man of the match, came from nowhere to make a superb, last-ditch tackle.

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Before the final whistle, Harwich had a chance make victory secure when Jack Wood sent Spurling away and from his cross Canning did well to get goalside of his marker, only to see his header strike the post.
Although not at their best, Harwich achieved victory in front of a season-high crowd of 280 who had turned out in support of Non-League Day.
Elsewhere, second-placed Stanway Pegasus were beaten 2-1 at home by Whittlesey Athletic. With 2 games in hand, the Shrimpers are now 3 points behind Pegasus and travel to Whittlesey this coming Saturday.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Alfie Smith, Jack Wood, Oakley McNair, Reece Harte, Tyler Sullivan, Gareth Heath, Alfie Canning, Luke Mayhew, Luke Spurling and Louie Bloom. Used substitutes: Alfie Eldridge and Liam White.

Harwich and Parkeston

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