HOLLAND FC suffered heartache after tumbling to a 6-0 defeat in the First Division Knockout Cup final against Harleston Town.

The Thurlow Nunn League pair met at Woodbridge Town’s Notcutts Park ground on Friday night.

However, after conceding four times during a one-sided first half, Rob Batten’s men left themselves with too big a mountain to climb.

They battled valiantly after the break and restricted their high-flying first division north opponents to just two more.

But it was a case of damage limitation and, sadly, the destiny of the silverware looked inevitable early on.

After an even start, two goals in quick succession took the wind out of Holland’s sails.

First, Scott Roberts’ free-kick from deep on the left appeared to sail straight into the far corner, without the aid of a flick or deflection.

Samuel Borrer made it two, pouncing on a right-wing cross and steering the ball into the far corner.

Holland regathered but then conceded twice more just before half-time.

Nicholas Howell volleyed home after great persistence and a left-wing cross by Nathan Stone.

Matthew Howard then nodded home at the near post from Roberts’ corner.

Holland kept battling but Harleston added to their tally on 72 minutes, when Lawrence Cheese’s centre was turned home by substitute Owen Betts.

Reece Keating was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence, after a late challenge on Nathan Russell.

And Harleston added their sixth in the closing stages - Betts grabbing his second after a brilliant run by Charlie Rowe.

While naturally disappointed to lose, Holland can be proud of their run to the final.

They won four matches along the way and, most notably, prevailed 2-0 at Swaffham Town in their semi-final on March 19.

Having started with a bye in the first round, they also eliminated Little Oakley 4-2, Braintree Town Reserves 5-2 and May and Baker 3-1.