FRUSTRATED FC Clacton boss Kieron Shelley admits conceding early goals has become his side's Achilles heel.

Two early strikes helped Walsham-le-Willows to a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Rush Green Bowl on Saturday.

They then added a third with just over ten minutes remaining, to secure all three Thurlow Nunn League points.

Relegation-haunted Clacton remain second from bottom in the premier division table - four points behind Wivenhoe Town.

“It was the same old story and it’s getting me down a bit, because we keep conceding early goals," said Shelley.

“It’s happening too often and something isn’t right, in terms of the way we’re starting games.

“We just switch off and get punished.

“We have to hold our hands up and admit there’s a problem there which needs addressing.

“We’re okay when we get into our stride and if it’s still goal-less when that happens, I fancy us to do well and pick up points.

“However, when you’re 2-0 down inside eight minutes, you know you’ve got a mountain to climb and shipping early goals has certainly become our Achilles heel.

“We keep making the same mistakes and conceding almost identical goals.

“We know where the issue lies and it’s not like we’re being carved open by amazing football.

“Instead we’re conceding what I’d describe as Sunday League goals.

“They should be defended and we keep being our own worst enemies."

Saturday's match was Clacton's first for three weeks, with their previous result being a 2-0 victory at home to Kirkley and Pakefield on March 18.

Shelley admits the long gap between fixtures certainly hindered his side.

“We’re a good side but the three-week gap killed us," he said.

“No matter how hard to trained or prepared, there’s no denying there was some rustiness there and we have to learn from it.

“Walsham wanted it more than us at the start.

“They were winning first and second balls and after getting their early goals, they knew they could be in for an easy afternoon.

“The damage was done, from our point of view."

Clacton now have a double-header of matches over the Easter weekend.

First they travel to Mildenhall Town on Saturday, before welcoming Wivenhoe to the Bowl on Easter Monday (both 3pm).

In addition to having four extra points, Wivenhoe also have a game in hand a better goal difference, although the Dragons were left shell-shocked after losing 10-1 at home to Newmarket Town on Saturday.

Clacton are still seven points behind fourth-from-bottom Hadleigh United.

Meanwhile, it was also a disappointing weekend for Clacton's reserves, as they lost 6-0 at home to Wormingford Wanderers in division one of the Essex and Suffolk Border League.