STEVE Eaton grabbed a second-half winner as Holland FC ran out 2-1 winners in tonight’s Thurlow Nunn League derby against Little Oakley.

The Tendring rivals met in a first division contest at the Rush Green Bowl and it was the ten-man hosts who secured maximum points, having taken an early lead through Joe Martin.

Shaun Kioussis then levelled for the Acorns – blasting home from the penalty spot after Rob Pratt was hauled down by Blake Panrucker.

But Eaton’s close-range winner proved all-important and continued the hosts’ bright start to the season.

The only concern for them was another red card, coming hot on the heels of both Chris Ribchester and Lee Braddon being sent-off in last week’s 4-0 drubbing at King’s Lynn Reserves.

This time, Panrucker was given his marching orders for two bookings.

The first followed a needless trip to halt Rory Harman and he was then booked again for the foul that led to the Acorns’ penalty.

It was Holland who made the brighter start and there were only a few seconds on the clock when Martin’s scorching volley forced a smart save from Luke Tynan.

The opening goal soon followed, when the ball was played to Martin on the edge of the box and the Holland skipper stroked a beautiful volley into the top left-hand corner.

Oakley retaliated and Harman’s shot from the left forced a save from keeper Dan Beeson.

Then a free-kick from the right was headed back across goal by Steve Polley and Mark Palmer’s vicious shot was brilliantly blocked by Jayden Randell.

Randell soon went agonisingly close at the other end but his long-range pile-driver cannoned back off the bar.

Oakley’s leveller came just after the half-hour mark.

Palmer broke clear down the right and when he delivered a cross, Pratt – who had plundered four in last week’s 10-1 romp against Team Bury – was pulled down by Panrucker.

The Holland man was duly dismissed for his second booking and Kioussis sent Beeson the wrong way from the spot. Game on.

Holland should have been in front at the break when a free-kick into the box was headed on, but Tom Holdstock nodded against the bar from a couple of yards out.

Pratt saw a lobbed effort from the right drop just wide of the far post, in a less eventful second half.

But it was Holland who grabbed their winner when a free-kick into the box somehow reached Eaton.

The predatory striker was able to turn and slip the ball past keeper Tynan.

It was nearly 3-1 when Martin’s powerful header from a corner was scrambled off the line by an Acorns defender.

Oakley are back in action on Monday, at Whitton United, while Holland’s next match is an Essex Senior Cup first-round tie at Halstead Town on Tuesday.

For reaction from both the Holland and Oakley camps, see next week’s Clacton Gazette and Harwich and Manningtree Standard.