REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS

Harwich arrived after the long journey to Lincolnshire to find the Holbeach pitch wet but the surface excellent.
There was a scrappy 15-minute start to the match but then the teams settled down and Harwich's first chance came when Idreess Namisi combined with Alfie Canning in a good move that culminated with Alfie Smith's shot going just wide.
Five minutes later Holbeach had a chance with a close-range shot which went inches past the post.
The Shrimpers took the lead in the 23rd minute when Namisi played a one-two with Canning, threading the ball through to Danny Garrad who cleverly netted with a delicate chip over the head of goalkeeper Simpson.
In the 30th minute Shrimpers keeper Brad Cook made a fine save, keeping out an inswinging Holbeach corner kick that was goalbound.
The Shrimpers suffered a blow in the 38th minute when the referee made a confusing decision which resulted in Jack Wood receiving a second yellow card and a harsh sending off.

Harwich U23s beaten in league opener - click here for report

Despite this setback Harwich increased their lead two minutes later when a long ball into the Holbeach half was flicked on by Dan Keeble and fell to Garrad who fired home.
Holbeach started the second half on the front foot and in the 50th minute they had the ball in the Shrimpers net but after a consultation with the assistant referee the goal was correctly disallowed for handball.
A couple of minutes later Harwich made it 3-0 when, from Canning's excellent through ball, Garrad lobbed the keeper with a shot from 35 yards for a superb finish that completed his well-taken hat-trick.
Harwich teenagers Namisi and Canning combined again but from the shot Simpson saved well at the near post.
Holbeach pressed hard in an effort to get back into the game but the Harwich defence was in excellent form with goalkeeper Brad Cook's handling exceptional throughout the match.
Harwich created a couple more half-chances, with Garrad and substitute Ewan Livingston having shots go just too high.
At the final whistle Harwich were applauded off by a jubilant band of supporters, with the club grateful to these stalwarts for their support.
Those fans have seen their side climb to the top of a league table after six games of a season for the first time in 11 years - Matt Carmichael was also the man in charge of the team in those Border League days.
It is the first such occurrence in senior football since 1992/93 when Martin Head was in charge.

The Shrimpers now know their first opponents in this season's FA Vase. Rayleigh beat Basildon 4-2 on Saturday and will visit the Oak on September 21. Following their promotion out of the Essex Olympian League, Rayleigh are currently unbeaten in Division One South of the Thurlow Nunn League so a tough match awaits.

Harwich team: Brad Cook, Dan Keeble, Reece Harte, Tyler Sullivan, Will Crisell, Jack Wood, Alfie Smith (capt), Idreess Namisi, Liam White, Alfie Canning and Danny Garrad. Substitutes: Harry Tuck, Ewan Livingston (both used), Octavian Patrica and Archie Roger-Bell (not used).

Harwich and Parkeston

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