HARWICH and Parkeston joint-manager Martin Warnes believes returning midfielder Michael Murray brings a “new dimension” to his Shrimpers team.

The club’s former player made a welcome return in Saturday’s Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division contest at White Notley.

He capped his second debut with a sublime goal, as the Royal Oak side secured a precious 2-0 victory.

“It’s brilliant to have him back,” said Warnes, who runs the side with John Fidgett.

“He gives us a new dimension and an option we didn’t have before.

“Ashley Wood was able to move back out on to the wing and it worked out really well.

“Michael’s always been a very good player.

“He’s sensible and never tries anything too clever.

“He’s also dedicated and certainly gave us something we’ve been missing.

“We’re so pleased to have him on board because he’s another senior, experienced player.”

Murray, who had taken a break from football due to family commitments, started in central midfield, alongside Michael Hammond.

Meanwhile, Harwich have also completed the dual registration of another former hero, Matt Stace.

However, his priority will lie with parent club and Thurlow Nunn League neighbours Brantham Athletic.

“Brantham are his main club and they always take priority,” said Warnes.

“However, he’s also registered with us and we hope there will be opportunities for him to play.” There is another fresh face in the Harwich camp, with former coach Chris Rose returning to work alongside Warnes and Fidgett.

“Chris’s input was brilliant, last week,” said Warnes.

“He takes the weight of mine and John’s shoulders.

“And because he’s coached at a higher level, he spotted things we might not have seen.

“Things are looking really positive and in terms of our squad, players are already approaching us about coming over next season.

“It’s great that people are talking about the club again and worlds away from the problems we had in the summer, when we were so short of players.

“It creates a bit of a headache for us – albeit a nice one – as we want to stand by the group of players who have pulled us out of trouble.

“We don’t want to turn our backs or close the door on them.

“Equally, we want to push the club on and become a title-challenging side, rather than one struggling at the other end of the table.”

Harwich remain fourth from bottom but now have three crucial fixtures on the horizon.

They host basement boys Lawford Lads on Saturday before matches against lowly Tollesbury and Barnston AFC.

“The next few weeks will pretty much dictate which division we’re playing in next season – the premier division or division one,” said Warnes.

“If things go well and we can win two or ideally three of those games, we’ll rocket up the table. If we could then finish well in mid-table it would be a superb achievement – beyond anyone’s expectations back in the summer.

“Last week was a great win for us and a big three points.

“I’d say we deserved it, too.

“The conditions were horrendous – it was like playing in a swamp – but the boys did their best to adjust and played well.”