KIERON Shelley says the evolution of a strong squad – rather than relying on star individuals – is one of the most pleasing aspects of his reign as FC Clacton manager.

The Seasiders boss believes there is healthy competition for places and points at the prime example of Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Newmarket Town.

Key trio Kevin Coyle, Billy Wales and Tom Holdstock were suspended and Jake Hearn unavailable through illness, while Louie Newland and Terry Rymer have recently departed for Brightlingsea Regent and Brantham Athletic respectively.

However, Shelley shuffled his pack and those that came into the team – the likes of Luke Watts, Tom Heffer and Ben Justice – came up trumps to help secure three hard-earned Thurlow Nunn League points.

“We knew we were going to be up against it,” said the Clacton boss.

“We knew the suspensions were coming and that we were going to be down to bare bones.

“But we told the players who were available to see it as a positive, rather than a negative.

“We said ‘so and so isn’t here today – it’s your chance to shine’ and they went out and gave absolutely everything.

“They’ve done themselves proud and showed why they deserve to be part of our squad.

“That’s all I can ask and it shows me the squad is working.

“Players are getting up to the same level and to produce a performance like that, with such a young, understrength side, is so positive.

“Until recently, people were looking at the same players to win us games and if they weren’t available for whatever reason, there was almost a sense of panic.

“One of the things I said when I became manager was that I wanted to stop over-relying on the old guard – players we’ve relied on for too long.

“It puts unnecessary pressure on them.

“Instead, these boys have come in and generated competition for places and that’s absolutely great and very healthy.”

The Seasiders have now lost just once in a dozen league matches and, with 30 points on the board, they are just one short of their final tally for the whole of last season.

Jake Plane was their two-goal hero, first finishing well to put the cap on a sweeping left-wing move.

The Jockeys were level by the break after a low corner found its way into the net and Clacton were reduced to ten men following a red card for Charlie Thompson.

However, Plane grabbed his side’s winner with a cracking finish into the bottom left-hand corner seven minutes from time.

“We got what we deserved and I’d like to say a massive thank you to the fans,” added Shelley.

“I know they’ve been a bit frustrated in the last few weeks, having seen us throw away a few points, but we’re a side that’s learning.

“This result showed we’re willing to dig in and learning what we need to do to see a game out.”

“It’s about game-management and we’re getting there.”

The only disappointment for Clacton was Thompson’s dismissal.

Shelley was frustrated by the decision and feels his side are being unfairly cast as a “dirty side”.

“People on the outside will think we’re a dirty team but we’re not, by any stretch of the imagination,” he said.

“We’re a good footballing side.

“We’re hungry and maybe a bit too enthusiastic at times, giving away a few silly free-kicks, but we didn’t look like a side that deserved another five bookings and a sending-off.

“We looked like a side that had their backs against the wall and were giving everything for the shirt. Why should that be penalised?

“We’re not going out there kicking people, pulling them over or swearing and shouting.”

Clacton make the long trip to Fakenham Town on Saturday but return to the Bowl on Tuesday night, for a derby match against Rymer’s Brantham.