HOLLAND FC joint-boss Glenn Cowen believes his side showed their progress and maturity in Tuesday’s Border League Knockout Cup final defeat against Coggeshall Town.

The coastal club were defeated on penalties, after the contest finished goal-less after extra-time, at the Colchester Garrison.

Cowen was disappointed to lose – but believes his title-chasing side have made real progress in his first year at the helm.

And he believes a growing sense of maturity has been one of the keys to their success.

“We did really well,” he said.

“Coggeshall are another top team in our league, with a bigger budget, and it’s pleasing that we stopped them scoring in two games, on Saturday (in a 1-0 win) and Tuesday.

“The boys were superb and although disappointed to lose, I feel upbeat about things.

“They showed how far they’ve come.

“Their attitude was great and they’ve really progressed into a very solid team.

“There’s more unity now.

“When I was Gas (Recreation) manager, I noticed that there was sometimes a lot of arguing and finger-pointing among the Holland players.

“If we scored first against them, I always felt confident we’d go on to win.

“This season it’s been different and we’ve managed to knock that out of them.

“The boys have matured over the course of the year.

“They’ve got their heads down and worked really hard, as a team.”

Cowen had special praise for 19-year-old midfielder Keelan Sorrell, who shone in Tuesday’s defeat.

“Keelan’s a superb player who more than held his own,” he said.

“For a young player, he’s got a real knack of being able to create time and space for himself.

“He’s a confident lad and the way he switches play is really impressive.

“He reminds me of (former long-serving FC Clacton captain) Paul Hillier.

“And if he turns out to be half as good a player as him, he’ll do very well.”

Holland are third in the Border League premier division table, five points behind Coggeshall. Both have played 20 games.

They are ten points behind leaders Gas but with three games in hand - and the sides meet at Bromley Road on April 30.

“In the past, Holland have lost some silly games - games they should have got something from,” added Cowen, who takes his side to Earls Colne on Saturday.

“Again, this season that hasn’t been the case.

“We’ve only lost one league match - in which we created so many chances - and picked up so many other points by showing lots of character.

“I can’t praise the boys enough and should be an exciting finish.

“Hopefully we can finish well - I’ll be disappointed if we let our levels and standards drop now - and I still believe we can win the title and beat Gas.

“It would be great to go up as champions, then no-one can suggest that we don’t deserve it.”