Stowmarket stun leaders Felixstowe & Walton with four goals and all three points

GOAL! Stowmarket's Anton Clarke and Josh Mayhew (10) celebrate Clarkes goal for Stowl. Photo: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

Stowmarket Town secured a memorable 4-2 victory over league leaders Felixstowe & Walton United at Greens Meadow.

Second half goals from Josh Mayhew and Anton Clarke proved to be the difference, as Stow struck twice in five minutes to inflict on Felixstowe their second league defeat of the season.

Ace Howell and Mayhew had earlier both found the target in the first half to twice give the Old Gold and Blacks a one-goal lead, but Felixstowe twice responded with Scott Chaplin and Joe Francis scoring equalisers for the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division frontrunners.

Mayhew and Clarke then struck midway through the second half to put Stow back in front, and Rick Andrews’ men staved off any chance of a comeback from their visitors to record back-to-back wins against top-four sides in the division.

The hosts began on the front foot and the deadlock was broken in the seventh minute when Howell slotted past Daniel Crump for his second goal in as many games.

Felixstowe equalised almost immediately after, Stuart Boardley played a free kick short down the right wing for an unmarked Chaplin, who squeezed the ball in at the far post beyond the dive of James Bradbrook in the Stow goal.

Andrews’ men regained their advantage on 14 minutes. Mayhew retrieved the ball outside the box and let fly with an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

Felixstowe hit back again on 26 minutes and equalised for the second time, Sam Ford teeing up Francis in the box and his first-time shot found the corner to make it 2-2.

Just after the hour mark the home side went in front for the third time, as Howell turned provider for Mayhew to turn and shoot beyond Crump for his 33rd goal of the season.

Moments later it was 4-2 to Stow, the ball fell to Clarke outside the box and his shot took a touch on its way through a crowded box and past Crump. Clarke’s last goal for Stow was in late February and he was quick to claim the goal which gave Andrews’ men some breathing space.

The result leaves Felixstowe 16 points ahead at the top of the table, over Coggeshall, who have four games in hand, Stowmarket are third and Brantham fourth.