A defensive horror show saw FC Clacton gift Woodbridge a 4-2 victory at the Rush Green Bowl on Tuesday night. The Seasiders led twice through goals from Sean Hillier and Kevin Coyle but Woodbridge hit back as Clacton’s normally reliable back line suffered a collective bad day at the office.

Clacton had the better of the opening stages with Karl Andrade’s cross just evading Sean Hillier after great work by Kyelan Marvell on the right. On thirteen minutes they had their first chance of the night as Kevin Coyle fired just over.

The home side took the lead after half an hour as a vicious left-wing cross by Aaron Condon found Hillier stealing in unmarked just eight yards out to glance home. Three minutes later Hillier nearly got his, and Clacton’s second as he hit a vicious shot from twenty-five yards that rattled the top of the bar.

Eight minutes before half-time Woodbridge were awarded a penalty as Matt Cripps handled a well struck shot inside the area. Colchester United youngster Ross Gilfedder stepped up to drill home the penalty. The visitors then nearly took a half-time lead as Aaron Churchyard’s right wing cross-shot flummoxed Joe Playle but the ball hit the post and ricocheted away from goal.

In the fifty-first minute Clacton took the lead again. The ball was moved out to Kevin Coyle who fired in a cross-cum-shot almost identical to Churchyard’s just before half-time which similarly wrong-footed Woodbridge keeper Elliot Harrison as the ball dipped into his far corner. The lead was again short-lived as six minutes later lax defending left Gilfedder unmarked as the ball was played through and he calmly slotted under Playle to level the match for a second time. Two minutes later Playle had to save well from a Churchyard drive.

Clacton nearly went back ahead as Coyle fed Hillier who saw Harrison parry his shot before Ryan Stafford completed the clearance just before Condon could turn the loose ball into the net. However it was the Woodpeckers who took the decisive lead with fifteen minutes left. James Dunkley’s clearance was charged down and although Gildfedder’s initial shot was wayward the ball stayed in play with Clacton wasting at least two more chances to clear their lines before the ball fell to Churchyard who made them pay for their profligacy by firing home past Playle.

With five minutes to go Clacton were again thwarted by Harrison as an excellent move saw Matt Cripps playing in Aaron Condon whose low cross was met by Kevin Coyle only to be denied by Harrison who completed an excellent double save gathering the rebound that had ricocheted off the onrushing Coyle.

In injury time Clacton were convinced that they should have had a penalty with claims of a handball as a corner was whipped in. The referee and his assistant were unmoved and from the following corner Woodbridge swept up the pitch against the exposed Clacton back line and Tom Trevivian slammed home to set the seal on the victory.