Harwich and Parkeston’s Essex Senior Cup run came to a disappointing end at Isthmian League Hashtag United on Tuesday night.
The Step 3 side, who play three levels above the Shrimpers, showed the gulf in class by running out 8-1 winners at Parkside.
It was a sad end to Harwich’s historic run – this was the first time in 25 years they had reached the last 16 of the competition.
They had memorably beaten Bowers and Pitsea in the previous round, a side who play in the Isthmian Premier, alongside Hashtag. However, this was a hurdle too high to clear.
Matt Carmichael’s side actually started the better and kept their hosts pinned in their own half for the opening five minutes, two Danny Garrad set-pieces causing problems in the Hashtag penalty area.
However, the home side delivered a body blow in the seventh minute, scoring from their first meaningful attack. Joshua Osude used his lightning pace down the left before sending in a low cross which was converted by Luke May-Parrott.
After good work down the right by the visitors, Louie Bloom had a chance for a quick response but his shot was comfortably saved.
Harwich keeper Brad Cook was then twice called upon to make good stops but, just when it looked as if Harwich could get to half time only one down, they were hit by a quickfire double.
First, May-Parrott did well to get a shot away which flew over Cook and then, after Garrad’s first-time shot had been blocked following a sliced clearance from keeper Jack Giddens, Osude headed in a fine cross from the left from Harrison Day.
While the half-time scoreline may have been a little harsh, too many of Harwich’s forward passes had found yellow shirts, while Hashtag’s attacks had been more precise on the 4G surface.
Their pace in wide areas had been a particular problem and that was again seen in the second half as the Harwich full-backs were given a torrid time.
Any lingering hopes of a comeback were dispelled just two minutes after the interval when Misha Djemaili shot home from the edge of the box and, after Bloom had seen his effort disallowed for offside, it was 5-0 when Joshua Rusoke curled home a wonderful free kick.
May-Parrott completed his hat-trick after a slide-rule pass from Darren Foxley split the Harwich defence before the Shrimpers bagged their consolation goal – substitute Greg Rodger (pictured) getting up off the floor having been fouled to ram home the resultant penalty on 70 minutes.
However, Hashtag weren’t done and two further attacks down the right resulted in goals.
First Day converted Matthew Wooldridge’s low cross and then, in injury time, Tobias Aromolaran’s ball in was volleyed home by fellow sub Sakariya Hassan.
Harwich’s fine run, which included three victories, is therefore over with interest in this season’s cup competitions now concluded.
Attention will return to the promotion race in the Thurlow Nunn League’s Division One North on Saturday when they head to Whitton United.
With the Under-23s’ Saturday fixture against Halstead now postponed, the only match on the Royal Oak this weekend will be Sunday’s Women’s game against Old Chelmsfordians (kick-off 2pm).
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Keelan Milburn, Reece Harte, Alfie Smith, Dan Keeble, Jack Wood, Joe Knight, Alfie Eldridge, Louie Bloom, Liam White, Danny Garrad. Subs: Tyler Sullivan, Alfie Canning, Liam Riley, Gareth Heath, Greg Rodger (all used).