FC CLACTON enjoyed a goal spree as they swept past Long Melford 7-0.

Paul Hillier (2), Sean Hillier (2), Kevin Coyle, Tommy Noble and Mark White were all on target in a one-sided Ridgeons League division one contest at the Rush Green Bowl.

The Seasiders are now up to fifth in the table with five games in hand on three of the sides above them – Newmarket, Hadleigh and Brantham – and four on Halstead.

Upbeat skipper Paul Hillier told the Gazette: “Promotion really is in our hands.

“We have several games in hand on all the sides above us, with three-quarters of them to play again, and if we were to win all our remaining games we’d comfortably win the division one title!

“It’s a huge ask but we’re hitting form at the right time and should be looking at a top-three place at least.

“Of course, it can all be undone with a loss or two in the next couple of games.

“But with a fair few home games to come and hopefully a new wave of confidence just starting you never know.”

Hillier, whose double strike took his goal tally for the season to 13, heaped praise on his side for they way they destroyed Melford.

“Tuesday was a really good performance and result against a very poor side,” he said.

“But nothing should be taken away from us in terms of the manner we played in really tough conditions.

“After several lacklustre matches when we’ve done well to pick up maximum points, it was good to finally thrash someone again and we looked dangerous every time we went forward.”

Elsewhere, HARWICH AND PARKESTON and TIPTREE UNITED drew 1-1 in a Ridgeons League premier division clash at The Royal Oak.

John Watson fired the Jam-makers into a 16th-minute lead, only for Darren Bethell to respond with an equaliser for the Shrimpers.

WIVENHOE TOWN were also in premier division action but slipped to a 3-2 home defeat against Felixstowe and Walton.

Their goals were scored by Ricky Griggs and Ronaldo Wright.

In the Ryman League premier division, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Harlow.

Swifts goalkeeper Ollie Morris-Sanders was untroubled until a swiftly-struck corner slipped through his fingers to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

Then Ricci Crace broke through the middle, shot at Sanders and managed to scramble the loose ball into the back of the net.

There was very little action in the rest of the game and, although the hosts tried to recover, Harlow’s defence stood firm and denied any hope of a Swifts recovery.