STANWAY Rovers made their long trip to Fakenham Town worthwhile as Karl Duguid’s side brought three Thurlow Nunn League premier division points back to Essex.

After a goalless first half, two strikes in four minutes at the start of the second period gave Rovers the base they needed and although a late penalty saw Fakenham halve the deficit, Stanway held on to the full quota of points.

It was also a good day for BRANTHAM ATHLETIC as they beat visiting Swaffham Town 4-2.

Brantham took victory with two goals from Simon Mann and one apiece for Sean Gunn and James Gregory.

Swaffham’s loss was good news for FC CLACTON as it kept them below the Seasiders at the foot of the premier division table.

There was no chance for Clacton to progress themselves, though, as they returned to league action after a three-week break with a 3-0 loss at home to Walsham le Willows.

It was a disappointment for Kieron Shelley’s team, but they were helped by the defeat of another side around them in the table.

WIVENHOE TOWN are third-from-bottom and one place above Clacton, but were unable to prise themselves further away from danger as they were hammered 10-1 at home by Newmarket Town.

The Dragons had fallen two behind when a through ball from Matthew Eve found Joe McCraken and he fired home to make it 2-1, however, things went downhill from there.

Newmarket finished with Austin Diaper and Lewis Whitehead both hitting hat-tricks, Paul Betson got a brace and there was one each for Jack Watson and Deakan Napier as the Jockeys romped home.

In division one, there were two all-Essex derby clashes.

Third-placed COGGESHALL TOWN saw Josh Dalziel’s looping header from the edge of the box find the target, but they were not able to add to their tally as visiting HOLLAND FC held them to a 1-1 draw at West Street.

There was also an all-Essex clash – albeit over the county border at Long Melford – as BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES hosted HALSTEAD TOWN.

The Humbugs were unable to claim anything on their travels as a Joe Jones strike in the first half proved enough to complete a 1-0 win for Braintree.

The Young Irons have now won their last four games in division one.