REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS

Whittlesey had the advantage of the strong wind during the first half and put Harwich under early pressure and with 15 minutes gone Shrimpers goalkeeper Brad Cook was forced to get down low to pull off a fine one-on-one save.
Five minutes later, Athletic came close again with a shot that came down off the underside of the crossbar before being scrambled to safety.
Harwich came back with Louie Bloom squaring the ball to Gareth Heath whose shot went just over the bar and later Alfie Eldridge won possession but saw his goalbound shot blocked.
Shrimpers' key attacker Luke Mayhew had earlier suffered and an ankle injury and in the 30th minute he was forced to retire and be replaced by Liam White.
Just before half time, Athletic threatened again and Cook pulled off another good save when he pushed a shot out for a corner to ensure that the match remained goalless at the break.
Harwich started the second half strongly with Heath having a shot well saved by goalkeeper Danny Foulger and then almost immediately again the home custodian doing well to keep out Eldridge's effort. This was proving a good 15-minute spell for Harwich and they were unlucky when Heath's corner kick was flicked on by Tyler Sullivan only for Alfie Canning's shot to hit the underside of the bar before being cleared.
Just after the hour mark, Whittlesey scored what was to prove the all-important goal when, from a cross into the penalty box, an effort from Joseph Graham struck the unfortunate defender Oakley McNair, who could do nothing to avoid it and concede an own goal.
Whittlesey then had a glorious shot which had Cook beaten but struck the angle of the crossbar and goal post.
In the last 20 minutes of the match, Harwich mounted an effort to save a point but Athletic defended really well with Foulger saving twice from Heath.
In the final seconds, Harwich did come close to snatching a draw and extending their unbeaten run to 13 games. However, from Heath's corner kick, Reece Harte's header did not quite find the net.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Oakley McNair, Jack Wood, Tyler Sullivan, Reece Harte, Alfie Eldridge, Gareth Heath, Alfie Canning, Luke Mayhew, Luke Spurling and Louie Bloom. Substitutes: Liam White, Alfie Smith and Keelan Milburn (all used).

Harwich and Parkeston

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