THERE were some big wins as goals rained in during an action-packed afternoon in the Thurlow Nunn League.

Four of the Gazette’s sides – premier division BRANTHAM ATHLETIC and first division south trio HALSTEAD TOWN, LITTLE OAKLEY and COGGESHALL UNITED – hit five while FC CLACTON made it three straight wins at the start of 2019.

However, our round-up starts with the derby match between WIVENHOE TOWN and HARWICH AND PARKESTON, where the Shrimpers stretched their explosive winning run to a dozen games after running out 2-0 winners.

Both goals came in the second half, scored by skipper Jordan Heath and substitute Callum Griffiths.

The Shrimpers went into the game knowing it could be a banana skin against hosts that had lost their previous ten matches.

But Kieron Shelley’s side, who, in marked contrast, had won their previous 11, stepped up a gear after the break and ran out deserved winners – equalling a post-war record previously set in 1964.

It maintained their title challenge in division one south, keeping up the pressure on leading trio Hashtag United, White Ensign and Halstead.

The clean sheet means they have only conceded three goals in nine games – quite a turnaround given the number of goals they leaked in the opening months of the season.

Having dominated the second half, they got their precious opener after the ball was played in from the right.

Heath coolly stroked home to spark wild celebrations among the Harwich faithful.

Substitute Griffiths then settled the visitors’ nerves, firing home to give his side a two-goal cushion.

Elsewhere in division one south, Halstead were in no mood to mess around in their match at home to Fire.

Three-up at half-time, they eventually ran out 5-0 winners.

Tom Cook was their hat-trick hero and there were also first-half goals from Chris Harris and Jordan Pavett.

Oakley continued their excellent form with a 5-0 victory of their own, at home to BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES.

Harry Mann scored the first two and he was joined on the scoresheet by Joss Neale, Luke Mayhew and Mark Palmer, with the last being a spectacular effort from 25 yards.

Coggeshall also hit five as they were 5-1 winners at home to Burnham Ramblers, thanks to goals from George Smith (two), Jack Hayes, Daniel Scott and Andrew Fennell.

However, HOLLAND FC succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at home to Frenford.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES drew 1-1 at bottom side Newbury Forest.

In the premier division, Clacton completed their third straight win of 2019 with a 2-0 success at home to Norwich United.

Skipper Wayne Chapman got the ball rolling just before the interval with a header from Kyelan Marvell’s free-kick.

Adam Hampson then doubled their lead, working space for himself before slotting home.

Brantham thrashed Great Yarmouth Town 5-1, with four of their goals coming in the last 15 minutes.

Dan Rowe plundered a hat-trick for the Imps.

Overall, it was a fantastic day for the Gazette’s sides and there were high fives all round for Brantham, Halstead, Oakley and Coggeshall.

However, on a historic day for a club very much on the up, making it a deadly dozen victories and dodging a potential banana skin, our performance award goes to rejuvenated Harwich.