Photographer Steve Brading was at the Royal Oak on Saturday to catch the best of the action as Harwich and Parkeston secured a dramatic victory against Hackney Wick

by TERRY FRANCIS

HARWICH AND PARKESTON 3

HACKNEY WICK 2

Thurlow Nunn League

division one south

HARWICH matches are providing close-fought encounters and goals galore.

This time it was the Shrimpers' turn to snatch three points and move up to seventh position in the league table.

In the opening minutes, Nicky Palmer and Ryan Heath combined to set up a smart move which ended with Tyler Rose putting Harwich into the lead from close range.

The match was only ten minutes old when Kevin Coyle was pushed and Heath added the Shrimpers' second from the penalty spot.

Harwich continued to play well and were on top for the first 30 minutes.

However, a mix-up in defence saw Joel Appiah take advantage to reduce the arrears and put Hackney Wick back in contention before half-time.

Hackney Wick have earned a reputation as a very good team with only two defeats so far this season.

After the break, they got into their stride with some slick passing.

With the visitors looking the better side now, well-marshalled by impressive central defender Appiah, the Shrimpers faced a tough task to hang on to their lead.

They had a lucky escape when a shot thudded against their crossbar with goalkeeper Sam Felgate beaten.

Shrimpers manager Keiron Shelley was vocal, urging his team to greater efforts to get that vital third goal and earn some breathing space.

The chance came and substitute Shaun Kioussis, from the edge of the penalty area, precisely planted a superb free-kick into the corner of the Hackney Wick net.

Wick were not done and within minutes Appiah strode forward through the home defence to again put his team in with a chance.

Hackney pressed, making it a nailbiting finish, but Harwich were determined not to concede again and saw out time.

Harwich's reserves drew 2-2 with Elmden Rovers, with their scorers being Konnor Oughton and Rob Good.

The first team have no game this Saturday and so the reserves take centre stage when they entertain sixth-placed Tiptree Jobserve A at the Royal Oak (kick-off 3pm).

After a winless start to the season, the reserves are unbeaten in their last four matches and this will be a good test for them.