FC Clacton edged their way to a derby day victory with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Stanway Rovers as Kevin Coyle’s 75^th minute penalty secured the victory that was no more than the Seasiders display, full of passion, heart, commitment and desire, deserved over the course of the ninety minutes.

Despite being a game of few clear cut chances it was never less than an absorbing encounter for all in attendance with both sides showing the total commitment that you would expect in a derby game, especially one with the added interest of the returning Steve Pitt and several former FCC players for the first time since their summer decampments to Stanway.

The early stages produced little in the way of incident although Clacton felt that the visitors should have been reduced to ten men after Aaron Condon, whilst in a foot race to latch onto Kevin Coyle 40 yard pass appeared to be held back by his marker, although the referee and his linesman saw it differently.

After half an hour there was a flurry of activity as first a break by Clacton saw Condon again causing trouble on the left and when his effort was blocked it fell to James Dunkley whose drive was saved by Elliott Ringe. A minute later an innocuous looking header from a Stanway corner bounced down between everyone but Kyelan Marvell was well stationed on the line to clear.  And just another minute later play swung down to the other end as a fantastic left wing cross saw Kevin Coyle arrive at the far post but, slightly stretching, he could not direct his volley on target.

Stanway were starting to come into the game more and had a decent spell with a number of crosses and corners but, more often than not, they were thwarted first by either Joe Martin or Dan Smith who worked tirelessly to put in countless tackles, blocks and headers throughout the afternoon or, if they got by the midfield, by the Clacton back four who were outstanding, giving reserve keeper Pat Davis very little to do.

Coyle saw another effort deflected just wide shortly before half time and right on the stroke of half-time Dunkley was thwarted again by Ringe as he looked to latch onto a loose ball inside the area only for RInge to get out quickly to smother.

On the hour mark Ringe was adjudged to have carried the ball outside of his area whilst clearing from hand presenting Clacton with a free kick right on the edge of the box. Coyle stepped up to smash a ferocious effort which appeared goalbound until Ringe got the merest fingertip to the ball which was just enough to deflect the ball onto the bar and away to safety.

With twenty five minutes left a long throw caused confusion in the Stanway area which eventually saw Lee Peacock fire into the side netting and then Aaron Condon missed the home sides’ best chance until that point bursting onto an excellent through pass before blazing over with only Ringe to beat.

However with fifteen minutes left Clacton did get the all important breakthrough as a Clacton break led to a melee on the edge of the area that saw Ben Wake miskick, slicing the ball back towards his only goal. Billy Wales was onto the loose ball in a flash but, as he was about to shoot, was fouled by Mark Maher as the defender tried to get in a last ditch tackle. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot and Kevin Coyle coolly dispatched the penalty sending Ringe the wrong way with his low kick to give the Seasiders the lead.

The last fifteen minutes seemed to finally wake Stanway who surged forward with greater urgency as Clacton’s tired legs began to show in the heavy conditions. However despite the tired legs there was not one man in a white shirt whose commitment waivered for even a second as bodies were put on the line, as they had been all afternoon, to block any crosses or long range shots as the Clacton midfield and defence proved an almost impenetrable bulwark against which the Stanway attacks broke.

The visitors did have a good shout for a penalty turned down in injury time for handball but, from a Clacton perspective, it would have been rough justice on Beaver’s men who showed their mettle and thoroughly deserved their victory.