On a night when Brantham thumped Cornard to go top of the table, it was imperative that FCC took maximum points from a tricky looking game at Stowmarket.

The fact that they took the points with relative ease, and could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty spoke volumes for the players' commitment to the cause.

Clacton flew out of the blocks and for the first 20 minutes Darren Gould did not touch the ball. Clacton forced a number of corners during this period and Kevin Coyle saw a fine individual effort thud against the crossbar after he cut in from the right and let fly with his left foot.

So dominant were Clacton in this period that it looked as if it may be one of those nights where we would have all the play but not see any reward, until Matt Waters jinking run tight to the goal line saw him brought down mid way between the corner flag and the penalty area. Waters whipped the free kick to the near post where James Dunkley stooped low to head home and give the visitors a deserved lead. Six minutes later Kevin Coyle got his reward for his earlier effort when his shot from the edge of the area found it's way into the bottom corner to double the lead.

The second period saw the home side come into the game a bit more, and a free kick from a dangerous position looked as if it might cause FCC some problems. However the ball was cleared to Kevin Coyle who burst through two tackles in a fifty yard run, his crossfield pass to Matty Waters was inch perfect allowing him to take the ball in his stride, draw the keeper and slot home.

FCC were awarded a penalty for apparent handball following a Waters corner which lead to a yellow card for the miscreant, but the usually deadly Waters skied his spot kick high over the bar into the night sky.

The downside to the evening was a worrying looking injury to Andy Taylor who hobbled off after a heavy tackle early in the second half and had to be replaced by Kyelan Marvell. With the game won, David Coyle took the opportunity to give Gareth Gibson and Karl Andrade a run out as they replaced Paul Hillier and James Dunkley respectively.

All in all a satisfactory night's work as we prepare to entertain Whitton on Saturday, who very nearly pulled off a real shock this evening by holding Halstead to a 1-1 draw in the 1st Division Knock Out Cup Semi Final after extra time, only to lose 8-7 on penalties.