HARWICH and Parkeston midfielder Harry Harvey believes his club can go from strength to strength this season - and that he and his team-mates are working hard to tighten up defensively.

The Shrimpers have made an encouraging start to life back in senior football, winning three, drawing three and losing just one of their opening Thurlow Nunn League matches.

They are fifth in division one south heading into this weekend’s crunch match at sixth-placed Hashtag United.

Kieron Shelley’s side are also top scorers with 20 goals to their name, with the only blot on their copybook being the number of goals conceded – 17.

Harvey says the players are working hard to address that issue and is confident the team can stay in the promotion race.

“We’re playing really well and starting to get results,” said the promising midfielder, who was unavailable for last weekend’s 2-1 victory against Benfleet at the Royal Oak.

“Saturday’s game is a big one and both of us will be up for it “We’re scoring a few goals but obviously conceding a few, too.

“That’s something we’re working on but we’ll only improve.

“It’s pretty tight at the top and we want to stay in or around the top spots.

“We can’t afford to drop off.

“From what I’ve seen, there’s no reason why we can’t stay in the mix and as long as we shore up our defence, we’ll be fine.

“If we keep scoring goals at the other end we could become quite a force.”

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Harvey (pictured above) joined in the close season after finishing as last season’s under-18s players' player of the year at Tendring neighbours FC Clacton.

He has become a regular starter and is enjoying playing under manager Kieron Shelley and assistant Mike Wallace, both of whom he knew from his time at the Rush Green Bowl.

“It’s been fun and I’m enjoying my football here,” he added.

“Harwich is a real community club and I like playing for Kieron and Mike.

“I worked with them both when we were at Clacton.

“They said good things about what they wanted to achieve and I decided I fancied the challenge.”

Harwich arranged a midweek friendly at home to Essex and Suffolk Border League side Alresford Colne Rangers on Tuesday night.

After being 2-0 up thanks to goals from Luke Barnard and Harvey Cowler, they were pegged back as the visitors halved the deficit from the penalty spot and then grabbed a late equaliser as it finished 2-2.