REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, a bumper crowd of 236 - Harwich's best league attendance of the season - was at the Gwinnell & Sons Royal Oak for the local derby against Wivenhoe Town, who had previously tested runaway leaders Haverhill Rovers, only losing to a disputed penalty goal.
The game started at a hectic pace with Wivenhoe determined to keep Harwich at bay and not allow them to settle.
The Shrimpers did have two early dangerous attacks with Luke Mayhew shooting just wide and then, in the 15th minute, Alfie Eldridge and Liam White combining to create an opening from which Louie Bloom fired inches over the crossbar.
During the first half, Wivenhoe's work-rate was excellent in frustrating Harwich and they were also dangerous with quick breaks, from one of which striker George Horrocks' shot forced Shrimpers goalkeeper Brad Cook to make a fine stop in parrying the ball to safety.
With 42 minutes gone, Harwich took the lead when a long clearance from Jack Wood found White whose shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Gabe Ruth Pateman and fell to Luke Spurling who neatly side-stepped a defender before scoring with a well-taken finish.
Harwich came out for the second half on the front foot, upping their game, to increase their lead in the 50th minute when Reece Harte's well-placed corner kick was back flicked by Dan Keeble for Bloom (pictured) to smash home at the far post.

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The Shrimpers were dominating now, with Spurling creating an opening from which White shot over and later Keeble, making his 100th appearance for the club, heading narrowly wide.
Harwich's third goal was brilliantly taken by Mayhew when, from 20 yards, he curled a free kick around the defensive wall into the far corner of the net.
Town keeper Pateman did well to tip Bloom's effort over the crossbar but was later unable to prevent him scoring his second goal when the Shrimpers striker looped the ball into the net.
In the last 5 minutes of the match, promising youngster Oakley McNair made his first-team debut for Harwich.
Having moved above Framlingham, Harwich are now 6 points behind second-placed Stanway Pegasus, but the Shrimpers do have two games in hand.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Alfie Smith, Reece Harte, Tyler Sullivan, Dan Keeble, Jack Wood, Luke Spurling, Alfie Eldridge, Louie Bloom, Liam White, Luke Mayhew (capt). Subs: Oakley McNair, Alfie Canning, Keelan Milburn, Greg Rodger (all used) & Joe Knight (not used).

Harwich and Parkeston

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