Harleston Town started 2026 in style with a 3–1 victory over a very good Stowmarket Town side, producing a professional and hard-fought performance in difficult conditions to claim all three points.

Team news saw Town line up with: Sutton, Jaggard, Pickess, Barker, Bell, Manning, Thurston, Durham, McIntyre, Hawkins and Stone.
Subs: Ebbage, Cawcutt, Gilmore, Tyas.

Given the adverse weather in the build-up, it looked at times as though Town might be facing another weekend without football. Huge credit must go to the club’s outstanding officials and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to get the game on and provide a surface fit for an entertaining contest.

Town began brightly, with Ru McIntyre’s first effort flying straight at Stowmarket goalkeeper Irons. McIntyre looked lively from the off and was a constant threat throughout, showing exactly why he has been such a positive addition to the squad. Harleston settled well into the game, and on the 10-minute mark Nathan Stone and Ryan Hawkins both had half chances as Town started to apply pressure. Hawkins, who was excellent all afternoon, then dragged a shot just wide on 16 minutes.

Against the run of play, the visitors struck first on 20 minutes. A swift counter-attack saw a Stowmarket midfielder twist and turn before finishing past Harry Sutton. Town, however, showed great mentality and composure in response. They regrouped quickly and were rewarded on the half-hour mark when Josh Durham equalised. Good work from Stone and Thurston created the opening, and Durham’s well-struck effort proved too powerful for Irons.

Moments later, captain Joe Manning produced a beautifully struck volley that was unfortunately straight at the Stowmarket stopper. Town’s best chance of the half arrived on 45 minutes when Brandon Pickess threaded a superb through ball to McIntyre, but the winger’s effort was well saved. Stowmarket somehow failed to retake the lead seconds later, firing over from six yards, and the sides went in level at the break.

Although it wasn’t quite the scoreline Town wanted at half-time, there were plenty of positives. Brandon Pickess and Harry Barker were excellent at the heart of the defence, while several others impressed against a young, sharp Stowmarket side that always carried a threat.

The second half, much like the weather, took a little time to warm up, with both sets of players doing well to cope with the cold conditions. On 58 minutes, Durham curled an effort just wide, before creating another opening after good work from substitute Spencer Cawcutt. Joe Manning then headed narrowly wide on 66 minutes.

Stowmarket enjoyed their brightest spell shortly after, striking the outside of the post with a fine curling effort on 67 minutes. But Town responded immediately, and decisively. On 68 minutes, Aston Jaggard delivered a dangerous cross-come-shot that Irons could not hold, and Cawcutt reacted quickest to tap home and roll away in celebration, sending the Harleston supporters into raptures.

The visitors nearly replied straight away, but Sutton produced a superb save with his feet on 69 minutes following a deflection. Moments later, McIntyre had his legs taken from under him in the box in what looked a clear penalty, but the near-side linesman waved play on—much to the disbelief of everyone inside the ground, including the Stowmarket players themselves.

Town made the result safe on 75 minutes as Cawcutt doubled his tally. Ryan Hawkins, who has added so much to the attack since signing, provided a superb assist, and the substitute forward calmly slotted past Irons with 15 minutes remaining.

There was still time for one final chance in stoppage time as Durham went on a mazy run before firing just wide, but it mattered little as the final whistle confirmed a deserved 3–1 victory.

It was a perfect start to 2026 for Harleston Town—a thoroughly professional performance, full of character and quality, and all the more impressive given the conditions.

Man of the Match: Brandon Pickess, for a tremendous display first at centre back and later at right back.