Harwich lift the Border League Knock-Out Cup

In their long and illustrious history Harwich & Parkeston have won the Border League Championship 9 times but that was long before the Border League Knock-Out Cup was introduced in1972 and so this was a momentous occasion for the Shrimpers.
Harwich took a long time to settle and it was Coggeshall Town who made the early running to go close following some good attacks. The Shrimpers first goal worthy attempt came in the 35th minute when Craig Martin’s shot from an acute angle went inches past the far post. This signalled a good spell for Harwich up to half time with Daryl Johnston’s header striking the crossbar following Joss Neale’s long throw in, whilst Town goalkeeper Graham Smith did well to turn Nicky Palmer’s shot over the bar.
The second half started with Coggeshall on the attack again and Shrimpers goalkeeper Scott Wass made a great save to deny Lloyd Gooday. At the other end Smith again did well to tip Martin’s shot over the bar. It was proving a frustrating evening for Harwich who were below their best against a well organised Coggeshall team but the introduction of Player Manager Robbie May saw them at last put their game together. In the 73rd minute Harwich midfielder Lee Johnson produced a moment of magic to trick his markers and crossed accurately for his industrious colleague Tom Brannon to pop up in the penalty area and calmly shoot the all important goal. Harwich Supporters had something to cheer now as the Shrimpers strode on to victory looking more like the team who had recorded memorable victories over high flyers West Bergholt and Newbury Forest earlier in the Competition.