COGGESHALL TOWN and BRANTHAM ATHLETIC strengthened their positions near the Thurlow Nunn League summit with convincing victories on Saturday.

Coggeshall ran out 4-0 winners at home to Histon, having been set on the road to victory by first-half goals from Ross Wall and Aaron Cosgrave.

Tom Monk extended the Seedgrowers’ lead on 49 minutes before a fourth from substitute Edilson Cruz.

Brantham, meanwhile, bounced back from last week’s setback against fellow high-fliers Stowmarket Town to thump Walsham-le-Willows 6-1.

Hero Sam Newson scored four of their goals – first forcing the ball home after a corner from player/joint-manager Michael Brothers.

He then applied the finishing touch to a slick team move before pouncing for a tap-in, to bring up his treble.

Newson’s fourth was a stunning individual effort from the edge of box, taking two touches before placing his effort into top corner.

Michael Murray’s penalty and a late far-post header from Peter Maina put the cherries on the Imps’ cake.

Coggeshall are second and Brantham fourth, while the other top-of-the-table game of note saw third-placed Stowmarket defeat runaway leaders Felixstowe and Walton 4-2.

FC CLACTON ended a four-game losing streak as they defeated fifth-placed Ely City 2-0, at the Rush Green Bowl.

Kevin Coyle hammered home the only goal of the first half, from the penalty spot, after a foul on Jake Plane.

And Plane gave the hosts some breathing space with an angled drive after a ball in from the left.

The Seasiders will also have been delighted to keep a well-earned clean sheet, having shipped ten goals in their previous two games.

Ely did very nearly score once – only to be denied by the woodwork.

It ended the visitors’ run of seven straight league victories.

New WIVENHOE TOWN boss Chris Hudson - still hunting his first point as Dragons manager – saw his side lose 4-1 at Wroxham.

Tyrone Scarlett fired home the visitors’ goal with a low effort into the back of the net.

STANWAY ROVERS’ match at Saffron Walden Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch and has already been rearranged for Tuesday, January 30.

HOLLAND FC’S trip to Wisbech St Mary was also called off but there was first division action for both LITTLE OAKLEY and HALSTEAD TOWN.

Unfortunately, both were on the wrong end of defeats.

Oakley went down 3-0 at Downham Town while Halstead suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at Framlingham Town.

Their consolation goal was scored by substitute Joe Morris, after being played in by Jordan Hutchings.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES had no scheduled fixture on Saturday.

There are no midweek fixtures in the Thurlow Nunn League.