Essex University 1 Clacton 0

Division 3SEEssex University 1 Clacton 0 Clacton missed the opportunity to jump up four places in the league to fifth spot when they failed to score against second from bottom Essex University.

Division 3SE

Essex University 1 Clacton 0

Clacton missed the opportunity to jump up four places in the league to fifth spot when they failed to score against second from bottom Essex University.

The home side created chances, keeping Clacton custodian Mike Key involved enough to earn him man-of-the-match as, without him, the score line would have been even harder to swallow.

After the previous two weeks wins the Seasiders confidence should have been sky high, but on a fast, solid pitch Clacton's touch was lacking and the Seasiders never got the ball under control to mount sustained pressure on a home side lacking in confidence.

Clacton started on the front foot, earning successive short corners in the first minutes, but were unable to force the ball home for a flying start.

As the half progressed the home side grew in confidence and started putting pressure on Clacton who were finding it hard to clear their lines.

At the back Gavin Underhay put in a solid performance and Alex Mortimer drove down the right trying to get Clacton going in the right direction.

Peter Wright and John Hambrook broke up the home sides play with some timely tackles in midfield and Jamie Roberts took on the responsibility driving through and keeping possession well.

Up front the forwards of Sam Hodge, Carl Parkes, Rick Coleman, and Rob Lukey never got sound touches of the ball to create the critical chances.

Clacton's effort and passion was not lacking, but on the day they were unable to take the time to compose the attacks they needed.

Parkes hit the post when Coleman fired in a quickly taken free-hit, Parkes deflected another Coleman free-hit onto Hodge, but he found the keeper out fast to smother his shot.

The Seasiders also had numerous short corners with the ball bouncing into the spaces off the keeper with Clacton unable to get bodies covering the right holes.

Captain Parkes fired wide the best chance when Roberts laid him in at a short corner late on.

It was the home side cheering the final whistle as Clacton were left licking their wounds at an opportunity missed.

Clacton stay ninth, with three teams below them. Wapping 3's and Essex University are now five points behind, whilst fifth placed Brentwood 2's are only three points ahead of the Seasider's.

Next week Clacton take on third placed Plashet at Clacton Leisure Centre (14:00) expecting a tough game as Plashet attempt to revenge the Seasider's 2-1 victory in the first encounter.