HARWICH and Parkeston manager Glenn Eldridge felt his side went “toe-to-toe” with table-topping neighbours Little Oakley in Saturday’s derby.

The Acorns ran out 2-0 winners in the Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division contest at the Royal Oak.

However, Eldridge was satisfied with his side’s performance and felt they deserved a point.

“I don’t think there was much between the sides, apart from the goals,” he said. “We set out to frustrate them and, for large parts of the game, managed to do that.

“We played the better football in spells but didn’t really create much until the last ten minutes, which was a shame.

“Oakley didn’t exactly open us up either, though, so a point each would have been fair.

“We were a bit disappointed we didn’t score and I felt we could have done better with their goals, but there were still positives.

“For a lot of my boys, it was their first derby and they stood up to the challenge.

“We went toe-to-toe with a side who are flying at the top of the league and probably going to be champions.”

“We know what we need to work on but we need to be realistic, because we’re a new team and, apart from a couple of players, we’re an under-21 side.”

Meanwhile, Harwich, who are at home to West Bergholt tomorrow (2pm), have appointed a new coach in former Wivenhoe Town man Ian Kershaw.

“It’s a massive appointment for us,” added Eldridge.