HARWICH AND PARKESTON 2

GAS RECREATION 2

Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division

HARWICH battled hard throughout and, in a great finale, gained a draw against the league leaders, on Saturday.

Shrimpers keeper Sam Felgate was busy in the early stages and Gas took the lead in the seventh minute, when Eldon Craig’s shot nestled in the corner of the net.

Undeterred, Harwich fought their way back into the game and, at half-time, Gas had to be content with their slender lead.

Harwich had chances after the break, with Craig Martin through but just off target.

They had a better opportunity when Matt Geen put substitute Michael Hammond through, but he was unable to get a good contact on his shot.

Luke Taylor hooked his shot over after a good move from Gas and then they looked to have ensured victory when Felgate got a hand to Craig’s powerful shot through a crowded goalmouth but could not prevent it entering the net.

There were only ten minutes remaining and it looked as though Harwich’s efforts would go unrewarded.

However, they never gave up and Hammond’s lob over the advancing keeper reduced the arrears.

With a minute remaining, Geen sent in a shot towards the corner of the net which the Gas keeper dived to push out.

However, the alert Hammond slotted in Harwich’s deserved equaliser.

Harwich’s veterans gained a 10-0 victory and, with results going for them elsewhere, are now in with a chance of the championship.

Tomorrow, Harwich travel West Bergholt.

HARWICH & PARKESTON 1

HOLLAND FC 5

Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division

AMBITIOUS Holland have their sights set on moving into a higher league and they scored three goals in the first ten minutes of Tuesday’s game.

It gave the hosts a mountain to climb.

Steve Eaton gave the visitors the lead in the second minute and, two minutes later, Bruce Poole netted their second.

Poole scored again in the tenth minute to leave Harwich in desperate trouble.

Holland’s fourth goal in the 33rd minute was Eaton’s second and, at this stage, the Shrimpers had no answer.

There was hope for Harwich in the 45th minute, when Jake Neale headed home Ashley Wood’s corner to reduce the lead.

This lifted the Shrimpers’ spirits and, in the second half, they showed great determination and it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that Poole scored Holland’s fifth goal to complete a fine hat-trick.

Harwich had been facing a heavy drubbing after those early setbacks but didn’t concede again.

With the first team away tomorrow, the veterans occupy the Royal Oak when they entertain Rowhedge (kick-off 2pm) in the North Essex Veterans League.

This is a match between two strong challengers for the championship.