HOLLAND FC striker Steve Eaton would love to finish top of the club’s goal charts this season - and hopes to hit at least 25.

The frontman scored twice as his side won 2-0 at Wivenhoe Town on Saturday, in their first-ever FA Vase match.

It secured them a second qualifying round tie at Wodson Park, on September 23.

And afterwards Eaton, who has nine goals already, said he hopes to continue scoring this season and make up for an injury-blighted 2016/17 campaign.

“I thought I’d scored in the first half, when my volley came back off the bar,” said the 27-year-old.

“But it was still good to score two goals, win the game and get through to the next round.

“Last season I was injured quite a bit.

“I had ankle and knee problems, although managed to get a few goals towards the end.

“Now I’m fully fit, I’ve got a chance and, thankfully, I’m scoring.

“It’s working really well with (fellow strikers) Joe (Martin) and Tom (Holdstock) and I’m hoping to get 25 to 30 goals.

“I hit 45 in a season once, before I moved to the area and was still playing in London.

“Fingers crossed, we’ll all keep scoring and I like the competition between the three of us.

“Obviously the most important thing is the team winning but we all want to score goals.

“I prefer that and feel it gives me even more motivation.

“It’s also great playing in a team with creative midfielders, too.”

Both goals came in the second half.

First, the striker connected with a free-kick from the left and saw his backward, looping header fly into the far corner.

Dragons keeper Ben Gallifant got a hand to it but was unable to keep the effort out.

Eaton then added his second with an unstoppable volley that flashed into the top right-hand corner.

The game was marred by two late dismissals, with Wivenhoe substitute Ryan McGibbon seeing red along with Holland’s Danny Slatter.

“We’re a team that knows how to win games,” added Eaton.

“We didn’t play great in the first half and we were told to up our game at half-time.

“But in the second half we looked a lot better and deserved to win.”

Holland were one of eight Thurlow Nunn League sides to win their Vase ties on Saturday.

Six of those victories were against step five opponents, as was the case for the coastal side at Wivenhoe. Holland return to first division action on Saturday with a home match against Team Bury (3pm).