FC CLACTON ran out 5-2 winners in tonight’s Thurlow Nunn League derby at WIVENHOE TOWN.

Former Dragon Matt Eve netted twice and he was joined on the scoresheet by Billy Wales, Jake Plane and Kieran Baker.

Aaron Donaldson and Ross McLintock notched the Wivenhoe goals.

Clacton made a dream start to the premier division contest, seizing the initiative and taking the lead after just five minutes.

Kevin Coyle’s precision pass found Eve, who delivered a low cross from the left.

Wales connected with it and turned in the box before lashing a powerful effort high into the net.

The Seasiders effectively killed the contest with two goals in quick succession, after 25 and 27 minutes.

Plane, also a former Wivenhoe player, doubled their lead after pouncing from close range, turning the ball home after keeper Lewis Downs saved an acrobatic effort from Wales.

Eve then scored his first of the night, drilling home from wide on the right, and he added his second five minutes after the break, turning home a right-wing cross from Plane.

Donaldson gave the hosts a glimmer of hope, slotting home after nudging the ball beyond keeper Peter Haxell.

And McLintock’s long-range screamer nine minutes from time, after cutting in from the right, added more respectability as the hosts produced a much-improved second-half performance.

However, it was Clacton who scored the final goal of the night to move 5-2 ahead.

Substitute Baker nodded home after a long throw into the box from Coyle.

Elsewhere in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division, leaders COGGESHALL TOWN cantered to a 3-0 victory at home to Long Melford, thanks to first-half goals from Nnamdi Nwachuku, Jamie Shaw and George Cocklin.

In the process, the Seedgrowers moved four points clear of second-placed Felixstowe and Walton, with both sides having now played 41 games.

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC drew 0-0 at home Great Yarmouth Town while STANWAY ROVERS drew 1-1 at Ipswich Wanderers.

After falling behind, Ben Lampon popped up with an equaliser for Kem Izzet’s side.

LITTLE OAKLEY had a first division contest at AFC Sudbury Reserves and lost 4-0.

There were some important matches in the Bostik League north division, including a precious victory for HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS.

Jody Brown’s side strengthened their play-off aspirations and moved up to fifth after a 3-0 victory at Hertford Town, thanks to goals from Lewis Goldbold and Matthew Price (two).

Neighbours MALDON AND TIPTREE, in contrast, suffered a 3-1 defeat at Tilbury.

George Brown scored their goal early in the second half and Joe Ellul was sent off for the Jammers.

Shamido Pedulu notched an 80th-minute winner as WITHAM TOWN pipped Romford 1-0.