Felixstowe & Walton United extended their winning start to the season to a dozen games last night when they took all three points against a Walsham-le-Willows side who have proved to be a stumbling block for the Seasiders in recent seasons at their Summer Road home, writes Phil Griffiths.

East Anglian Daily Times: Walshams defenders surround Felixstowes Jordan Matthews as he passes to Stuart Boardley. Picture: STAN BASTONWalshams defenders surround Felixstowes Jordan Matthews as he passes to Stuart Boardley. Picture: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

There weren’t too many signs of summer on a wet rain swept evening, where a Joe Francis 12th minute goal separated the sides and opened up a 12-point gap at the top of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division table.

In a game of two very different halves, Felixstowe should have been out of sight at the break but couldn’t find the finish to half a dozen clear-cut chances created, and in the second half had to defend for long periods as Walsham threw everything at them, showing a resolve that was missing last season.

The Seasiders remarkable start to the season, as they continue to break records, will again be fully tested this weekend.

They make the difficult trip to a Saffron Walden side who have proved stumbling blocks since their return to the Premier Division in 2015, after a 32-year absence that had seen them switch between leagues twice before their return to Division One in 2004.

East Anglian Daily Times: Walshams keeper Barry Lynn grabs the ball at the feet of Seasiders' Scott Chaplin. Picture: STAN BASTONWalshams keeper Barry Lynn grabs the ball at the feet of Seasiders' Scott Chaplin. Picture: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

Catons Lane can be a fortress for a Walden side who have a habit of upsetting the form book since their return, and Felixstowe’s joint bosses Kevin O’Donnell and Ian Watson have no illusions about every game being increasingly difficult as sides look to be the first to take their scalp.

Clearly delighted after Wednesday’s success, O’Donnell felt it was a game his side would probably have lost last season as they came under increasing pressure in the second half, and to keep a clean sheet in four of their last six league games is equally as satisfying as the 20 plus goals his side have scored.

With well over half the 114 attendance at Walsham having made the trip from the seaside, O’Donnell and Watson will be hoping for a similar turnout to support their side in Essex.