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Harwich & Parkeston
Matches
Sat 05 Jul 2025
Harwich and Parkeston
Harwich & Parkeston
2
1
FC Clacton
HARWICH & PARKESTON RETAIN KEVIN BEATTIE CUP

HARWICH & PARKESTON RETAIN KEVIN BEATTIE CUP

Terry Francis6 Jul - 09:47

IN THE ANNUAL PRE-SEASON MEETING WITH FC CLACTON, THE SHRIMPERS IMPRESSED EARLY ON TO TAKE A 1-0 HALF-TIME LEAD AND THEN HELD OFF A CHALLENGE FROM THE SEASIDERS TO FINISH 2-1 WINNERS

Report by Terry Francis and Colin Rogers

In front of a good crowd of 176, Harwich started well with Gareth Heath's shot from the edge of the penalty box forcing goalkeeper Finlay Watts to pull off a fine save.
Next, from a Tom Watkins through ball, Luke Mayhew crossed for Shrimpers new signing Charlie Lindoe to go close with an overhead kick.
It was proving a bright start from Harwich and in another raid from Heath's accurate corner kick, Jack Wood headed just wide.
Clacton were also dangerous when they attacked, forcing the Harwich defence to be alert.
Louie Bloom was spearheading the Shrimpers' attack and impressed with a good effort from a shot on the turn.
With 35 minutes gone, Harwich made the breakthrough when Mayhew combined neatly with another new signing, James Letts, whose effort was diverted past Watts for the opening goal.
A few minutes after the start of the second half, Harwich increased their lead with a really well-taken shot from Alfie Canning (pictured), with the ball fizzing into the corner of the net.
With 15 minutes of the half gone, Harwich's Liam White was involved in a challenge for the ball and suffered a serious injury which was later diagnosed as a broken collar bone. There was a half-hour delay while the midfielder received treatment on the pitch.
When play resumed, Clacton enjoyed their most impressive period of the game and reduced the arrears with a well-placed drive that denied Harwich stand-in John Watkins, their goalkeeping coach, a clean sheet.
For Harwich, Canning was in good form on the right-hand flank and was within inches of scoring his second goal with a shot that struck the angle of the post and crossbar.
Clacton pressed, seeking an equaliser in the closing stages, but Shrimpers central defenders Oakley McNair and Wood had been dominant throughout and were alive to the threat.
Malcolm Thompson, a founder member of the Kevin Beattie Foundation who does a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, presented the KBF Cup after the game, and Harwich chairman Tony Armstrong thanked everyone who helped raise over £500 from the event for the charities which the Foundation supports.
Harwich & Parkeston also wish to thank the FC Clacton medical team for their help in treating Liam White and wish him the speediest possible recovery from his injury.
Next up the Shrimpers' first team is another home charity cup game - this one against Stanway Rovers for the Norman Mann Trophy. That clash takes place on Saturday (July 12). Please note kick-off is at 1pm.

  • Harwich Under-23s kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 6-2 victory over Border League side Silver End on Saturday. They next face the HPFC 'A' team on Wednesday evening. Originally scheduled for Harwich and Dovercourt High School's 3G pitch, the game will now take place on the Royal Oak, kick-off 7.30pm.

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Jul 2025

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

176
Further reading