HARWICH and Parkeston are set to get back to action with a double friendly encounter at Holland FC - and show their appreciation to the NHS in the process.

The non-league football season at Steps 3-6 was curtailed with immediate effect last month, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That means that the likes of Harwich and Little Oakley have played their last competitive match in the Thurlow Nunn League 2020/21 season.

However, first division south outfit Harwich are now set to play two friendlies to finish the end of a very short campaign, where they played only 11 games before it was prematurely ended.

Harwich are set to make the short trip to play their first division south neighbours Holland on April 24, before playing the same opponents again on May 1.

Holland are also hoping to arrange a midweek friendly against Little Oakley, with a date set to be arranged.

Clubs will allow NHS or care staff to attend the upcoming friendly games free of charge and will also donate a percentage of their gate to NHS to give their support and say a big thank you for their hard work, throughout this pandemic.

Holland chairman Mark Sorrell said: “It will be great to get back to football and welcome back supporters to our local grounds and show our appreciation to the NHS along the way. Please come and enjoy some local football open.”

The Thurlow Nunn League confirmed to its clubs that they will not be organising any senior football competitions before the start of the 2021/22 season.

Fewer than a third of the league’s clubs expressed an interest in taking part in competitive matches during the April/May period and several of these have issues with pitch availability.

Uncertainty remains around admittance of spectators, secondary spend and non-local travel but the likes of FC Clacton and Halstead Town have expressed an interest in playing friendlies.

It was announced last month that the campaign is being curtailed with immediate effect for all clubs playing at steps three to six of the National League System (NLS).

Harwich were third from bottom in first division south, with five points from their 11 games, while Little Oakley were fifth with 18 points from eight games.

Brantham were third place in the premier division.