NEARLY 250 people turned out for a feast of Friday night football under the floodlights at HARWICH AND PARKESTON.

Joe Knight notched twice and he was joined on the scoresheet by Kevin Coyle and Brad Westley as the Shrimpers defeated BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES 4-2.

Harwich made it a special evening and paid their respects before Armistice Day.

The players then played their part by producing an entertaining contest, making it back-to-back wins for Kieron Shelley’s side.

Coyle put the hosts ahead and although Regent equalised, Knight poached from close range to make it 2-1.

Westley volleyed a third and despite the visitors pulling one back from the penalty spot, Knight headed home midway through the second half to effectively kill the contest.

Harwich have now won three of their last four Thurlow Nunn League matches.

“It was a great night,” said Harwich assistant boss Mike Wallace.

“The whole club was bouncing and we were so pleased to get a crowd of nearly 250 people.

“All our hard work paid off and it’s fantastic that the whole community is getting on board.

“It’s unbelievable to think where the club was this time last year.

“Now everyone is buzzing, but we know we need to keep working hard and striving to improve.”

Wallace confirmed that impressive Needham Market loanee Tyler Rose has agreed to spend another month at the Oak.

Elsewhere on Friday night, there was another derby at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium as division one south leaders HALSTEAD TOWN flexed their muscles against hosts BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES, running out 6-0 winners.

The Humbugs scores three quick braces, starting with goals from Callum Vincent and then Tom Cook.

Vincent and substitute Chris Harris doubled the lead in the second half before Kane Gilbert and another substitute, Joe Jones, made it 6-0.

Onto Saturday and the big game was FC CLACTON’S FA Vase second-round tie at home to Kirkley and Pakefield.

The sides knew each other well, having already met in the league and twice in the FA Cup, and it was the Seasiders who prevailed 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Matt Eve.

The striker pounced in the eighth minute to turn home a left-wing cross from new signing Max Booth.

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC were in premier division action at Ely City and drew 2-2.

New signing Andrew Wood and Joseph Yaxley scored the Imps’ goals.

In division one south, there were 2-0 wins for HOLLAND FC and COGGESHALL UNITED, against Hackney Wick and Newbury Forest respectively.

LITTLE OAKLEY drew 1-1 at leaders Hashtag United – an excellent result for stand-in managers James Good and Matty Windred.

Brandon Rusby scored their equalising goal from 25 yards.

WIVENHOE TOWN suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Benfleet.

Myles Passley scored the Dragons’ goal.