FC CLACTON boss David Coyle had mixed feelings after watching his side open their pre-season account with a defeat at Cornard United.

They lost 4-2 in Friday’s contest, despite opening the scoring through Billy Wales.

Kevin Coyle then netted the last goal of the night from the penalty spot, but by then his side were heading for defeat.

“I was disappointed with the score-line,” said manager Coyle, whose side were due to take on Needham Market’s Academy side last night in a friendly being staged at Brantham Athletic.

“You always want to win any game and it’s hard to justify conceding four goals and losing a game we dominated for long periods.

“Having said that, there were definitely positives and there was clear evidence of the boys trying to apply the things we’ve been working on in training.

“That really pleased me and, in many ways, that’s all I can ask – that the players try to replicate what we do in training in matches.

“The style of football we tried to play was even commented on by the Cornard manager. He text me the next day and said he’d really enjoyed watching us and that he’d pay to watch us.

“For the first 25 minutes, we were very good and instead of being 1-0 ahead, it should have been 4-0 or 5-0.

“There were some positive, encouraging signs but unfortunately some bad individual mistakes really cost us in the end.”

Clacton were back in action on Wednesday night, winning 5-0 against Needham Market's Academy in a match staged at Brantham Athletic.

Their goal-scorers were Aaron Condon, Jack Clampin, Adam Daniels, Ben Parkin - with his first for the club - and Chris Ribchester.