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Harwich & Parkeston
Matches
Sat 23 Aug 2025
Harwich and Parkeston
Harwich & Parkeston
2
4
Brimsdown FC
DISAPPOINTMENT AS SHRIMPERS FALL AT FIRST HURDLE IN FA VASE

DISAPPOINTMENT AS SHRIMPERS FALL AT FIRST HURDLE IN FA VASE

Terry Francis23 Aug - 21:30

LEVEL 2-2 AT HALF TIME, HARWICH JUST COULD NOT FIND THE TARGET AFTER THE BREAK AND BRIMSDOWN DESERVED THEIR 4-2 VICTORY

REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS AND TERRY FRANCIS

Harwich's first chance came after 3 minutes when Tom Watkins crossed for Louie Bloom to head narrowly wide.
The visitors came back and Shrimpers goalkeeper Brad Cook was forced to make an excellent, point-blank save.
It was a brisk start and in the 10th minute James Letts and Alfie Eldridge combined for Gareth Heath to fizz a drive that went inches outside the visitors' post, whilst central defender Teddy Johnson cleared off the goal-line when Harwich were in trouble.
Harwich took the lead in the 15th minute with a well-worked goal when Heath drilled in a corner kick to the near post and Jack Wood (pictured) got in front of his marker to flick a glorious header into the net.
Only 5 minutes later Brimsdown were back on terms when winger Tyre Ekpenyong, in a one-on-one situation with Cook, slotted in a well-taken goal.
Brimsdown goalkeeper Carter Blue Wilson then pulled off a fine save by tipping an Eldridge volley over the crossbar and later got down well to save from Bloom.

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With 32 minutes on the clock, Harwich regained the lead when, from Eldridge's through ball, Bloom's clever chip shot struck the crossbar and fell to Luke Mayhew who hammered the ball into the net.
Again, though, it took Brimsdown just five minutes to equalise when their other star winger, Taylan Kilinc, cut in from the left flank to finish with a fierce shot, out of the reach of Cook.
With an hour played, Cook pulled off a fantastic save to keep Harwich on terms when he dived full length to tip a 25-yard rocket shot that was heading for the top corner of the net over the crossbar.
Harwich were enjoying a good share of the play but were now finding the Brimsdown defence difficult to penetrate and becoming frustrated.
In one of their better moves, Bloom put substitute Greg Rodger through and he tried a clever first-time lob that went just over the crossbar.
Rodger showed good control to win a free kick but when the ball came back to him, shot into the side netting.
Meanwhile, Brimsdown's skilful wingers were to prove match-winners, out-pacing the Harwich full-backs, and midway through the half, from a chip into the penalty box, Emmanuel Olasehinde headed them into the lead.
With 10 minutes remaining, Brimdsown's advantage became decisive when Harwich, beaten for speed down the wing, gave away a penalty kick from which Matas Machovas netted their fourth goal to ensure the Shrimpers' woeful record in the competition continued.
They have now lost their last 10 Vase ties with their last victory in the competition coming way back in 2007.
For Harwich, a bright spot was play-maker Gareth Heath's skilful and hard-working performance in midfield in his first full 90 minutes of the season.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Tom Watkins, Ted Johnson, Jack Wood, Max Long, Tyler Sullivan, Alfie Eldridge, James Letts, Gareth Heath, Luke Mayhew and Louie Bloom. Substitutes: Greg Rodger, Theo Clayson, Dan Keeble, Charlie Canham and Reece Harte.

Match details

Match date

Sat 23 Aug 2025

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

201
Further reading