by BAILEY EWERS-SMITH

HOLLAND FC boosted their chances of a promotion place after a stunning 6-1 victory against Tendring neighbours Brightlingsea Regent Reserves.

Paul Phelan's men were hungry for maximum points after an inconsistent start to their Thurlow Nunn League campaign.

They duly put three more on the board thanks to a comprehensive victory under their floodlights on Friday night.

Regent's defence, meanwhile, had an evening to forget and their goal difference is already -15 from 12 games.

Holland looked confident early on but it was the visitors who nosed ahead in the sixth minute, thanks to Oliver Law.

Holland went close to levelling through attacker Tommy Phillips but a through ball was fired just wide.

Phillips was then gifted another chance but the keeper got to the ball first, sliding to avert the danger.

Holland were level when Jimmy Webb's low shot, from just outside the box, made it 1-1.

And within minutes, they were ahead.

The hosts nearly scored a third thanks to a spectacular effort from the halfway line that hit the bar.

Holland then added a third and there were still more goals to come.

Captain Keelan Sorrell scored the fourth before Matthew Gray's strike brought the score to 5-1.

Brightlingsea kept battling but were unable to create many chances for themselves.

As the half pressed on, both sides saw few major attempts at goal.

Webb nearly scored again but fired wide of the left-hand post.

For Regent, the cracks in their defence were becoming clearer by the minute as they couldn't keep up with the pace of the game and Holland finally claimed their sixth thanks to Toby Harms.

Webb tried to steal a seventh right before the whistle, but his effort was too high.

Following Saturday's results, Brightlingsea dipped to 15th in the table while Holland climbed three positions to seventh, heading into Friday's match at May and Baker.