HARWICH and Parkeston manager Kieron Shelley hailed the “effort, work-rate, desire and hunger” of his players after their eye-catching pre-season victory against Witham Town.

Sean Mathurin and Ben Hammond scored their goals as the Shrimpers came from behind to win 2-1 in Tuesday’s friendly at the Royal Oak.

Shelley is keeping his feet firmly on the ground but admitted the result and performance was hugely encouraging.

“It was a pre-season friendly and important not to get carried away,” said the former FC Clacton boss.

“That said, it’s always nice to win any game of football – especially one against a higher-placed side like Witham.

“We’re under no illusions but I can’t take away the effort, work-rate, desire and hunger of my players.

“They refused to shy away from the challenge of playing a side two or three levels higher and for many it was their first taste of coming up against step four or five opposition.

“It’s really pleasing from my point of view.

“I’ve only been here seven weeks and we came back early for pre-season, to make sure we’re organised and to make sure we have nights like this.

“Our game management was good and we did everything right.

“Everyone gave a good account of themselves and no-one let the side or club down.”

After narrowly losing at Tiptree Park in their opening friendly on August 4, Harwich have won their last three - scoring ten goals in the process - against Stanway Pegasus, Needham Market Reserves and now Witham.

They were due to host neighbours Brantham Athletic last night and then travel to Alresford Colne Rangers tomorrow.

They then have three more home games against West Bergholt, Leiston Reserves and Dedham Old Boys on Tuesday, next Saturday (July 28) and July 31 respectively.

The Thurlow Nunn League division one south season kicks-off with a home match against White Ensign on August 4, followed by a midweek derby against Holland FC on August 7.

Shelley believes the signs look promising and says his players are buying into what the club are trying to achieve – as demonstrated by their work-rate on Tuesday, which was watched by a crowd of 80-plus.

“Witham would have come away knowing they were in a game,” he said.

“They changed things round at half-time and we didn’t, which was a bit of a factor.

“It gave us the advantage after an even first half, because their new players needed time to bed into the game.

“Witham were very competent and knew what they were doing, especially when passing the ball around in triangles and twos and threes.

“We struggled in the first ten minutes to get up to speed but that comes with experience, getting used to playing that level of football and knowing where to be.

“It’s not really something that can be coached.

“It makes our victory even more creditable.

“Witham would have come over expecting a hatful of goals but it doesn’t always work out like that.

“That’s what I tried to instil in the players and I told them that if they worked hard for each other they'd cause problems.

“Teams get frustrated and start playing the long ball game, whereas we played the neater football and it was like the pendulum swung.”