HARWICH SPIRITS LIFTED BY VICTORY AT PARSON DROVE

REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS
The long journey to Cambridgeshire necessitated a 4.15pm departure from Harwich and a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Wisbech in the Fens.
On an open pitch, the Shrimpers initially had the blustery wind at their backs and were dominant during the first half.
Harwich's first opportunity came after 10 minutes when Jack Wood's cross found Liam White who played in Alfie Canning and the teenager went close with a shot over the crossbar.
Parson Drove replied 5 minutes later with an effort that went just wide but the Shrimpers threatened again with Shaun Kioussis' free kick just too high.
Harwich were rewarded in the 21st minute when Luke Mayhew won the ball in midfield and gave Harwich the lead with a 25-yard shot that rocketed into the net for a super goal.
The Shrimpers were unlucky not to add to the score when Danny Garrad's shot hit the post and rolled along the goal-line.
Harwich continued to apply pressure with efforts from Canning and Garrad and with 35 minutes gone Mayhew had a shot well saved by the goalkeeper.
A minute before half time Kioussis' 30-yard, well-struck shot looked a goal all the way but struck the crossbar and despite their supremacy the Shrimpers went in with just the one-goal lead.
Ten minutes after the break Tyler Sullivan won a header which resulted in Garrad having a shot that was tipped out by the home keeper for a corner.
Parson Drove were a big, direct team and with the elements in their favour made determined efforts but the Shrimpers defence stood firm.
Harwich came back with good efforts from Kioussis and Garrad and in the 65th minute scored their second goal when a Kioussis through ball sent Canning away and his squared pass to hammered into the net by Garrad.
Five minutes later Parson Drove reduced the arrears when, following a good run, the ball was poked home from close range.
The hosts did have an opportunity to equalise but put their chance wide of the far post.
However, Harwich were no mood to allow their long journey to be in vain and sealed a deserved victory from a well-worked, four-man move started by White's pass to Canning, then on to Sullivan for Mayhew whose perfectly placed shot resulted in their third goal.
In the closing stages, youngster Louis Manhood came on to make his Harwich debut.
Harwich Team: Brad Cook, Dan Keeble, Jack Wood, Mitch Knight, Reece Harte, Shaun Kioussis, Tyler Sullivan, Liam White, Alfie Canning, Luke Mayhew and Danny Garrad. Substitutes: Harry Tuck and Louis Manhood.