HARWICH and Parkeston chairman Tony Armstrong believes marking their top-flight return in such emphatic fashion was a “major boost” for the club.

The Shrimpers thrashed Earls Colne 4-0 at the Royal Oak in their first game back in the Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division, last weekend.

Harwich have experienced their fair share of problems on and off the field, over recent seasons.

But while he warned against getting carried away with the result, Armstrong said it was a big lift to get the new campaign off to such a good start.

Armstrong said: “With so much adverse publicity leading up to the start of the season with losing one of our managers and some of our better players, there was a bit of pressure on the club.

“But we went into the start of the season with a new management team who have worked hard with a good squad of local players.

“They’ve worked their socks off and to win so emphatically on the first day of the season was a major boost for the club.

“The football club is probably stronger on and off the field than it has been for a couple of years.

“I’m sure that there will be more issues ahead but we’re confident that things are better than they have been.

“There was a good crowd of people there last Saturday – there are a lot of people out there who want the club to survive and do well.”

Harwich’s victory over Earls Colne gave new management team Michael Hammond, Martin Warnes and John Fidgett a winning start to life in charge.

Goals from Hammond, Dom Nea, Jake Neale and Matt Geen handed them a convincing victory over Earls Colne.

The Shrimpers will aim to secure another win tomorrow when they host University of Essex, who won 3-2 at Barnston Athletic last weekend.

“We should have won by more than four goals and I think some of our players surprised themselves that we were so dominant,” added Armstrong.

“But we can’t get carried away with the result and this weekend will give us a better idea of where we are.

“We expect tomorrow’s game to be a lot harder – University are always up there challenging near the top of the league.

“But it’s perhaps a better time to play them, because some of their students haven’t yet returned from their summer break.

“Our players will go into the match with confidence.