STANWAY ROVERS ran out convincing 6-0 winners in tonight’s Thurlow Nunn League premier division derby at home to FC CLACTON.

Angelo Harrop’s promotion-chasing side, second in the table, moved eight points clear of third-placed Godmanchester Rovers but are still eight adrift of runaway leaders Norwich United.

Jamie Shaw, Billy Hunt and Antonio Sabini put them firmly in the driving seat with first-half goals at The Hawthorns.

Hunt again, Craig Hughes and Sean Bartlett then netted after the break to complete the Seasiders’ misery.

Stanway made a bright start and nearly grabbed a fourth-minute opener.

Joss Neale powered a header goal-wards but Seasiders goalkeeper Luke Avenell, in for Joe Fowler, showed quick reactions to tip the ball over.

Ben Newson then should have done better when clear through on goal, but could only fire over.

However, it seemed only a matter of time before the first goal and it duly arrived in the 19th minute.

Stanway fed the ball in from the left and when it was not properly cleared, Shaw was left with a simple tap-in for 1-0.

A second goal followed five minutes later.

Shaw had an effort saved by Avenell but the rebound was confidently tucked away by Hunt.

Stanway’s third, just after the half-hour mark, was a real breakaway effort from a Clacton corner.

Newson charged into space down the right and delivered a low cross that was turned in from close-range by Sabini.

Clacton, with the bit between their teeth, made a bright start to the second half and Billy Wales went on a surging run before delivering a cross that was just too deep for Jack Clampin.

However, they had the wind taken from their sails when the hosts added two more goals in quick succession.

The first, on the hour-mark, stemmed from a right-wing cross that was headed in by Hunt.

Craig Hughes then made it five a couple of minutes later by heading home from a corner.

Kevin Coyle went close at the other end with a venomous free-kick that was turned behind by Rovers keeper Nick Punter.

Shaw nearly added his second with an effort that was blocked just in front of the line.

But a sixth goal duly arrived in the latter stages, courtesy of substitute Bartlett.

The last effort of note was a long-range piledriver from Clacton's Wales that was held by Punter.

Stanway now face a quick rematch with Walsham-le-Willows – who held them to a 1-1 draw last weekend – on Saturday, while the Seasiders have another tough match at home to Norwich United.