FC CLACTON are preparing for a pivotal fixture that will provide a barometer of where they can finish this season.

That’s the view of boss David Coyle, looking ahead to Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn League contest at home to Newmarket Town.

The Jockeys are seventh in the premier division table, having finished sixth last season.

And Coyle says that if his fast-improving side want to make the next step, they need to look to win fixtures like this. “Saturday will be a real barometer,” said the Clacton boss, whose side beat Whitton United in a 4-3 thriller at the Rush Green Bowl on Tuesday (page 54).

“I don’t think we’ll be a bottom-three or four side this season.

“We’re playing well enough to finish higher and the squad is a better unit and group than in recent years.

“But this is the sort of game we need to win, to show we can finish further up the table.

“We’ve already shown we can beat teams from near the bottom.

“Now the challenge is to beat sides from the top.

“Newmarket will be a top-six side and if we win, it’ll show we’re capable of finishing, say, eighth, ninth or tenth.

“But if we lose, it’ll suggest we’re going to end up somewhere like 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th.

“Either way, it’ll be a huge success and massive progress.

“The club have finished in the bottom three in the last four seasons and it was only a couple of years ago they finished rock bottom.”

Coyle has been delighted with his side’s performances in their last two games.

He felt they played better than the result suggests in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Gorleston.

The Seasiders dominated for long periods but could not find their way through a resolute home defence.

Instead, they ended up slipping to their second successive league defeat.

“If you play well and lose, I can deal with it,” said Coyle.

“It was a decent display with great energy – we just fell short in front of goal.

“We played well and got in some good positions, but our final ball was poor.

“We dominated, in terms of possession, without creating too many clear-cut chances.

“But I can’t be too critical because in terms of performances, it’s been a good week.

“We’re playing with energy without the ball and quality and enthusiasm on it.”