FC CLACTON hero Jake Plane wants to add more goals to his game – and keep making his dad proud.

The Seasiders midfielder netted twice – including a brilliant late winner – in Saturday’s 2-1 success at home to Newmarket Town.

It was his second double in consecutive home games, having also scored a brace against Saffron Walden on November 4.

Following both goals he looked and pointed to the sky and afterwards he explained his poignant celebration.

“I lost my dad three years ago so every goal I score is for him,” said Plane, whose dad, Michael, sadly passed away on July 5, 2014.

“Hopefully he’s looking down on me and I’m still making him proud.

“I said at the start of the season that I’d like to chip in with a few more goals and I’m happy to be on five already.

“Now I want to keep adding more.

“I know I can score goals – it’s just about delivering – and I was so pleased to get a couple on Saturday.

“I love it every time I play football but to come back after missing last week’s game and score two was something I’m very proud of.

“Having had a player sent off, it was a case of backs to the wall towards the end so I was really pleased to get the winner.

“The ball dropped for me and I thought ‘why not?’ Thankfully it went in the bottom corner.

“It was an important result, given what’s happened with conceding late goals recently.

“People were probably wondering ‘is it going to happen again?’ but this showed we can hang onto a lead.

“It was a great result, given the players we had out, the sending-off and the fact we were up against a top team.

“Now I’d love to see us push on and finish in the top ten. I definitely see that as a realistic goal.”

Clacton were reduced to ten men following a red card for Charlie Thompson.

However, the Seasiders dug deep to ensure their numerical disadvantage did not work against them.

“Work-rate is such an important thing for us,” added Plane.

“We’re all in it together and no-one’s out there on their own.

“We back each other up and always will.

“Considering what happened here last year (avoiding relegation by courtesy of a reprieve), it’s been a massive step forward and hopefully we can push on from here because the team spirit is the best I’ve experienced at Clacton.

“Everyone gets on and has a laugh, but when we’re out on the pitch we work so hard for each other.

“We help each other massively and it’s such a good feeling when things go well, as you could see from our celebrations at the end. It was such a relief.”

Clacton hit the road on Saturday when they make the long trip to Fakenham Town, for a Thurlow Nunn League fixture at Clipbush Park.

They then return to the Rush Green Bowl on Tuesday for a derby match against Brantham Athletic.

Kieron Shelley’s side have lost just one of their last 12 league games and are unbeaten in six matches at the Bowl.

Clacton have confirmed details of a special match taking place at the Bowl on Sunday, December 3 (3pm kick-off). It will feature players past and present and has been arranged to mark the club’s 125th anniversary, For full details, see next week’s Gazette.