HOLLAND FC have silverware in their sights.

The coastal club have battled through to the Border League Knockout Cup final, where they will meet Coggeshall Town at the Colchester Garrison next Tuesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

The side, jointly-managed by Glenn Cowen and Rob Batten, faced neighbours Weeley Athletic in their semi-final on Saturday and won 5-1.

“It’s a big achievement to get through to the final,” said a delighted Batten.

“We’ve had two disappointments in this cup in recent times.

“Two years ago we got to the final – only to be thrown out for fielding an ineligible player.

“Then last season we didn’t turn up and lost our semi-final against Little Oakley.

“The fact we’ve made it this year helps make up for those setbacks and it’s really pleasing and a reward for all the effort and graft that has gone in here in the last three or four years.

“It’s also great for our chairman, Mark Sorrell.

“He’s put a massive amount of work in so this will be a big occasion for him.”

Steve Eaton scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s match against Weeley, at FC Clacton’s Rush Green Bowl.

Aaron Keaney and Bruce Poole also netted.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games and a typical derby – very blood and thunder,” said Batten.

“Weeley started well and deservedly took the lead.

“But after we scored our equaliser, we started to get to grips with them. Our know-how and experience started to tell.

“If we’d tried to play them at their own game, it might have been different but we had to stop them playing football.” In addition to their cup exploits, Holland also hope to gain promotion this season, from the Essex and Suffolk Border League into the Thurlow Nunn League.

They believe a top-three finish in the premier division will be sufficient and they currently sit fourth, with several games in hand on two of the sides above.

“Promotion is our main target but if we could achieve that and win a cup it would be a great season,” added Batten.

“That would be superb but we know it will be really tough on Tuesday night.

“Coggeshall are second in the table and, like us, they have applied to go up this season.

“Ironically, we play them in the league on Saturday before meeting again four days later at the Garrison.

“I don’t think the first game will have any bearing on the second, though.

“We have to take them one at a time and it’s about which side turns up and performs on the day.

“Both should be cracking games.”

Following their double-header against Coggeshall, Holland have six premier division matches left – four at home and two away – and those fixtures include contests against Essex Premier Cup finalists Little Oakley, West Bergholt, Gas Recreation and Alresford Colne Rangers.

Intriguingly, they finish with a home match against Coggeshall on May 14.

Weeley, who are fourth in division one, now switch their attention to an away match at Bradfield Rovers on Saturday.

They then host Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves at Vista Road next Wednesday.

Weeley have games in hand on all the sides above them in the table and their other April fixtures are home matches against Holland Fc Reserves and Dedham Old Boys and away games at Little Oakley Reserves, Cinque Port and Mersea Island.