FC CLACTON assistant boss Mike Wallace believes his side are close to giving someone a “hiding”.

The Seasiders felt unfortunate to lose 2-0 in Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest against Thetford Town.

It was their third defeat in six games, with former Stanway Rovers man Tanner Call among the goals at the Rush Green Bowl.

However, Wallace feels his side are much better than their current points tally suggests and believes they are close to becoming a “very good” team.

Now he wants them to start taking their chances and proving it – beginning with tonight’s home match against Felixstowe and Walton (kick-off 7.45pm).

“Saturday was the fourth time this season the opposition manager has said we were unlucky and deserved something from the game,” said Wallace, who works alongside first-team boss Kieron Shelley.

“Thetford will be contenders in the division this season and yet we battered them for long spells, until they got their late second goal.

“It’s so frustrating because we came off wondering how we hadn’t scored and gutted not to have got something from the game.

“There were so many positives again but the bottom line is that we need to start taking our chances.

“When we click and start doing that, I honestly think we’re going to give someone a real hiding.

“There’s a really good team spirit and we’ve got a great bunch of lads, so we feel as though everything’s heading in the right direction.

“We just feel we should have more points on the board. We should be nine or ten rather than five.

“We missed an open goal and hit the bar at the weekend and in other games we’ve had a goal disallowed and conceded a last-minute equaliser.

“We’re just not getting the rub of the green but, as I say, it’s about taking those chances.

“At this level, if you don’t do that you get punished.”

Clacton will be without both Charlie Lindoe (work commitments) and Tyler Smith (injured) for tonight’s game.

Joe Moore is a big injury doubt but Harvey Cowler is available for selection again, having been out on Saturday.

“At least we can take great heart from knowing we’re not far off being a very good side in this division,” added Wallace.

“We’ve got a very smart new clubhouse, called XS Sports Bar.

“And we’ve been really encouraged by the crowds we’ve been getting.

“For each of the three home games so far, we’ve had over 120 people.”

Wallace thanked players Lewis Blanchett and Jamie Beecham for their services to the club, having moved onto Wivenhoe Town and Little Oakley respectively.

Elsewhere tonight, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS have an FA Cup preliminary replay at home to Haverhill Rovers.

The sides drew 1-1 in Suffolk on Saturday.