FC CLACTON boss Kieron Shelley heaped praise on goalkeeper Paddi Hawkins after his side’s 2-0 victory against Saffron Walden.

The former Brantham Athletic shot-stopper kept a well-earned clean sheet as the Seasiders got back to winning ways at the Rush Green Bowl.

It was a result that will give them fresh hope of clambering out of the bottom three and avoiding relegation, in the Thurlow Nunn League.

They remain second from bottom but Shelley’s side are now six points behind both Hadleigh United and north Essex rivals Wivenhoe Town.

The Clacton boss praised his whole team for their work-rate and intensity levels and said much of the credit should go to Hawkins.

“Paddi has been fantastic since joining us,” he said.

“He’s a great keeper but also a great young man to have at the club.

“He’s fully committed and wants to do well at this level.

“He made two really good saves in the first half which allowed us to go in ahead at half-time.

“They were vital stops because they gave us the belief we could go on to win the game.

“Paddi really deserved his clean sheet, as did all the boys at the back.”

Kyelan Marvell got the ball rolling when his cross-shot flew into the net after just five minutes.

And Sam Cripps, a late substitute, settled nerves with a cool finish from Marvell’s pass.

“There were so many strong performances,” added Shelley, whose side have five more home games this season against Gorleston, Kirkley and Pakefield, Walsham-le-Willows, Wivenhoe Town and Godmanchester Rovers, in addition to trips to Mildenhall Town and Swaffham Town.

“Tommy Austin bossed things in midfield, as did Kyelan, while Jake Clowsley’s energy was fantastic and gave us something special in the final third.

“Overall, our performance was really good and I’ve had really good feedback from the supporters, who liked what they saw.

“The boys played with real intensity, with their chests puffed out.

“Saffron Walden didn’t have a second on the ball.

“We closed them down in numbers and collectively worked hard, both on and off the ball.

“We could have been two or three up at half-time and now we need to keep producing performances like this week after week.”

Clacton are back at home on Saturday, for a rescheduled game against Gorleston.

They will be without unavailable pair Marvell and Austin.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper George Caldwell helped Clacton’s under-18s defeat Brightlingsea Regent 7-6 on penalties in the Thurlow Nunn Youth Cup at the Rush Green Bowl last Thursday.

After the match had ended 1-1, Caldwell made a key penalty save to help earn his side book a first-round tie at Brantham Athletic.

The young Seasiders were due to visit Coggeshall Town in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League south division on Wednesday evening.