FC CLACTON boss Kieron Shelley is demanding a positive reaction from his players in Saturday’s “six-pointer” at Long Melford.

The Seasiders were left licking wounds after a 6-0 drubbing at home to Thurlow Nunn League high-flyers Newmarket Town on Saturday.

However, they have to put it behind them and get back on track in this weekend’s crucial premier division contest at Stoneylands.

Clacton are second from bottom – still in deep relegation trouble – and face hosts sitting three places and eight points above them.

“We have to put it behind us and move on,” said Shelley, referring to last week’s setback at the Rush Green Bowl.

“Newmarket are third in the table.

“People probably expected us to lose so it hasn’t affected us too much in terms of league standing.

“However, it could affect us mentally and the players have to react possibly.

“We have to come to training with a smile on our faces and get on with it.

“It’s all about the reaction and trying to get the three points on Saturday.

“It’s vital and I haven’t got to spell anything out.

“It would have been nice to have a positive performance beforehand, but perhaps the fact we haven’t could play into my hands.

“The boys won’t want to experience this feeling again, so hopefully I can use that as part of my team-talk.

“Newmarket were in their dressing room with their music pumping out, having a laugh and a joke.

“Ten minutes later, we’re all in the bar together and they’ve got a smile on their faces – we haven’t.

“I’ll tell the players to remember that feeling and, as a player myself, I’d have wanted to get back out there straight away.” Shelley still has great faith in his side and believes they can cause problems for any team in the division.

Prior to Saturday’s setback, they had won four home games in a row and had only tasted defeat once in seven games – a run that also included a useful point at high-flying Great Yarmouth.

“Every time we go out there we feel we can cause problems for sides,” said Shelley.

“We thought we could nick something at the weekend but didn’t, so just have to move on.

“Long Melford is a six-pointer now.

“If we can get the victory, it’ll put us just behind a little cluster of teams above.”

Shelley was without the services of unavailable pair Adam Daniels and Tom Austin, against Newmarket.

He called up dual registered duo Steve Downes and Tom Heffer, as they did not have a game with Essex and Suffolk Border League side Weeley Athletic.

However, the Clacton boss admitted afterwards that that may have been a mistake.

“They haven’t been playing at this level this season,” he said.

“I took a gamble and threw them in, because Weeley didn’t have a game on Saturday.

“Individually, they didn’t do anything wrong or cost us in any way, but in terms of team momentum perhaps it was a bit much having two different faces in the team.”

It was also a disappointing afternoon for Clacton’s reserves, who lost 2-0 at Tiptree Jobserve in the Essex and Suffolk Border League. Clacton’s under-18s host Brightlingsea Regent in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).