THERE were goals galore on an action-packed day in the Thurlow Nunn League.
Among the highlights were a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at FC CLACTON, a stunning 3-0 victory for division one south basement boys BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES and a Friday night victory for WIVENHOE TOWN at HOLLAND FC.
On the flip side, HALSTEAD TOWN and HARWICH AND PARKESTON suffered narrow defeats while LITTLE OAKLEY were hit for eight on a dismal day at May and Baker.
Clacton’s premier division draw came against Kirkley and Pakefield, at the Rush Green Bowl.
The Seasiders found themselves two-up thanks to Charlie Thompson’s far-post header and a low, deflected free-kick from Jake Plane.
But Kirkley threw themselves a lifeline and then drew level from the penalty spot, after a foul by Lee Clowsley.
The Suffolk side thought they had grabbed a late winner but Clacton salvaged a point – the very least they deserved – after a late penalty by Adam Hampson, after the referee spotted a handball from Plane’s free-kick.
Elsewhere in the premier division, BRANTHAM ATHLETIC defeated Ely City 3-0.
The Imps turned up the heat with three second-half goals, scored by Sam Newson, Mason Ridgway Lumley and substitute Elliott Johnson.
In division one south, all eyes were on the top-of-the-table showdown between Hashtag United and Halstead.
The Humbugs started the day top of the table but were replaced at the summit by their hosts after losing 2-1.
They had led at the break thanks to Marcus Warren’s goal.
Two-one was also the score at the Royal Oak as Harwich were narrowly beaten by lowly Wormley Rovers – despite taking an early lead - and also at Holland FC on Friday night, as the hosts suffered a narrow defeat against Wivenhoe.
Steve Eaton put the hosts ahead but the improving Dragons – now unbeaten in five league matches – turned the contest on its head thanks to second-half goals from Myles Passley and Markel Greenidge.
There were two big defeats for Essex sides.
BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES slumped to a 4-0 defeat at home to Newbury Forest while Oakley had a day to forget, crashing to an 8-0 reverse at third-placed May and Baker.
It was their first league defeat, while the hosts are third and still unbeaten.
Last but not least was this weekend’s standout result – Brightlingsea reserves’ 3-0 victory against Lopes Tavares.
The R’s remain bottom of the table but can take heart from a very encouraging week, which started with a 3-2 victory at Oakley in the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday.
They then followed it up with three points on Saturday – their first league win, having lost seven and drawn one of their previous eight games.
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