HARWICH AND PARKESTON 4

EARLS COLNE 1

Essex and Suffolk Border

League premier division

HARWICH continued their climb up the table with a victory that took them into fourth position.

With Coggeshall United and Gas Recreation currently running away with the top two positions, the battle is on for third place.

Harwich got off to a flying start with Matt Geen neatly slotting them into an early lead.

The Shrimpers were 2-0 up at half-time with Jake Neale having glanced home a free-kick taken by Brad Smith.

Harwich had looked in charge during the first half but, after the break, Earls Colne made the Shrimpers fight when Leon Beaumont reduced the arrears with a well-taken finish.

Lewis King scored an important third goal for Harwich to ease the pressure. Earls Colne kept trying but when Harwich attacked again their keeper parried Geen's shot and the alert striker followed up to net his second goal and put the result beyond doubt.

Tomorrow Harwich entertain Dedham Old Boys at the Royal Oak in the League Knockout Cup (kick-off 1.30pm).

n The first player through Harwich's youth system made his debut for the first team in Saturday's victory against Earl Colne.

Coming on at half-time, Jackson Rapley gave an excellent account of himself on the right wing - not his usual position - and played his part in the Shrimpers' 4-1 success.

The club are now hopeful this will be the first of many youth player appearances in the first team this season.