Holmer Green 2-5 Harwich and Parkeston
The FA Cup Preliminary Round
30 August 2005




Harwich and Parkeston of the Eastern Counties Premier League were victors over Holmer Green of the Spartan South Midland League last night by five goals to two in a highly entertaining FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay at Watchet Lane.

A superb playing surface and Holmer Green's biggest crowd for some time provided the setting for some superb finishing from both sides.

Midway through the first half, Harwich's Liam Morley started the scoring with a crisp shot from the edge of the box after hesitancy in the Holmer defence, before Harwich took a 2-0 lead after a long free kick was headed home by Harwich captain Martin Calver as he challenged the Holmer Green keeper.

Just as Harwich looked like running away with the game, a superb run and shot into the top right hand corner by Holmer Green's Will Tullet made it 2-1, leaving the game finely balanced at half time.

Harwich came out in the second-half more eager than their hosts and took the game beyond Holmer's reach with two superb volleys from striker Ritchie Meadows. The first from close in after good work from his team mates on the left, the second a powerful strike from a tight angle which left the Holmer Green keeper with no chance.

Andy Shed of Holmer Green volleyed in from the edge of the box to make it 4-2 but their fate was sealed as another great finish from Craig Springett. His shot across the keeper into the far right hand corner sealing a trip to Woodford United in the First Qualifying Round on 10 September.