Division 3SEClacton 9 Dunmow 2Clacton waited a long time to get the disappointment of their last league game out of the system and, with Dunmow depleted through injury, the Seasiders put on a great show for the home supporters.

Division 3SE

Clacton 9 Dunmow 2

Clacton waited a long time to get the disappointment of their last league game out of the system and, with Dunmow depleted through injury, the Seasiders put on a great show for the home supporters.

Sam Hodge started the scoring in the first minute, showing composure in the circle to get into the right position before slotting past the prone keeper.

Two minutes later captain Carl Parkes doubled the lead when the visitors defence gifted him the ball to leave the keeper stranded once again.

Dunmow showed they were not there just to make up the numbers by getting one back in the fifth minute, however, Clacton then scored another two goals in three minutes, one each for Parkes and Daniel Hunn. Dunmow then got their second for 4-2 within 20 minutes.

Man-of-the-match Parkes rounded off a first half hat-trick after Hodge went on a mazy run, leaving defenders in his wake, before calmly picking out Parkes to smash home. Hodge then got his second after running round the visitors defence and slotting home from close range for 6-2 at half time.

John Hambrook got himself on the score sheet after being first to react from a short corner save, then Ric Coleman deflected high into the net from a Parkes free hit. Hunn rounded off the scoring, forcing home a Parkes cross for an impressive 9-2.

It was the performance that was most pleasing for Clacton as they have traditionally struggled against so called weaker teams. The whole squad started strongly and the interplay between players was a joy to be seen. With Clacton pushing on the defence of Peter Wright, Nick Key, Keith Buxton, Trevor Sumption and Gavin Underhay stood up to the tests and this allowed Tom Blake and Jamie Roberts to control the midfield and setup the forward players goal scoring feast.

Steven Key also had a good game in goal, filling in for Mike Key who injured a finger in last weeks friendly.

This result lifts Clacton into fourth spot, eight points behind third, but with only two points separating the six sides below the Seasiders, goal difference and the next few results will be critical.

Next week Clacton travel to Upminster which was a fiercely contested game and a narrow win for the Seasiders first time round.