Upminster II 1 Clacton 2

Division 3SE

Upminster II 1 Clacton 2

Clacton got three vital points against bottom side Upminster to move five points clear of the teams immediately below them and within three points of the teams above.

This game was always about the result rather than the prettiness of the performance. The Seasiders rode their luck with the home side missing great chances to pour misery on the day, but Clacton held together, saw out the pressure and supplied the killer touch at the right time to enjoy the final whistle.

Clacton saw Stuart Perkins, Steven Key and Francis Sanderson continue from where they left off last week, making good impressions and integrating themselves well into the first team.

Colin Hook put in another solid performance, snuffing out the home sides forays down the right, with Peter Wright showing his experience backing up the midfield and making timely interceptions.

It was Clacton making all the early running and they nearly scored when man-of-the-match Jamie Roberts fired into the circle to find Sam Hodge in the right place, but somehow the ball never hit the back of the net from the deflected shot.

Perkins created a chance for himself after picking up the ball near half-way and rounding the home defence and keeper before seeing his shot, from the narrow angle, go across the face of the goal with no-one there for a tap in.

Then Sanderson smashed the ball into the free running Hodge and Rik Coleman who worked a short corner which Coleman slotted neatly into the corner of the goal for 1-0 at half time.

The second half saw the home side having their positive moments and Clacton unable to dominate the play.

Mid-way through the half they poked home a short corner for 1-1 and started believing in themselves.

The Seasiders had to batten down the hatches and weather the storm which Roberts did in style, keeping possession and breaking up the game earning free-hits in the middle of the pitch.

Clacton had their bit of luck too when the home team broke from a Seasiders short corner to work an open chance that the home striker placed wide.

With the last ten minutes approaching Alex Mortimer mazed his way down the right before earning a short corner for Clacton.

Coleman smashed the ball at goal and Hodge got the critical deflection only to find the defender on the line, unfortunately it was the players leg and after a lengthy break Coleman had the task of taking the resulting penalty.

Coleman cooly kept his head and placed the ball where the keeper had dived from for 2-1 and six minutes remaining.

Clacton saw out the final moments to celebrate only their third win of the season.

Next week Clacton take on high flying Thurrock at Clacton Leisure Centre (14:00) hoping to continue their rediscovered winning feeling.