STANWAY ROVERS boss Kem Izzet has challenged his players to win five of their last seven Thurlow Nunn League fixtures.

The Hawthorns side are tenth in the premier division and continue their run-in with a trip to neighbours FC CLACTON tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Stanway are without a win in their last six matches, losing five of them, and Colchester United legend Izzet wants his players to put things right and finish the season with a flourish - starting with a positive result and performance at the Rush Green Bowl.

"We've got seven games left and while I'd obviously love to win them all, I believe winning five would stand us in good stead for next season," he told the Gazette.

"That would be a decent return of points which would give us momentum and a springboard, going into the summer.

"I'm a big believer in setting goals and targets, both individually and collectively, and don't want my players to lose their focus.

"We've done well this season, despite it being a real learning curve.

"I don't want things to fizzle out and that's why it's so important to get back to winning ways and finish strongly."

In terms of results, Rovers' poor run continued with a 3-1 defeat at home to title-chasing COGGESHALL TOWN on Friday night.

However, Izzet was more than satisfied with his side's performance and felt the least they deserved was a share of the spoils.

"We were excellent and the final score flattered Coggeshall," he said.

"They were clinical and punished us but our overall performance was outstanding.

"The very least we deserved was a draw and if we keep playing like that, we'll undoubtedly win more games than we lose.

"Our last few performances have been pleasing, despite the results, and we'll be aiming to carry on where we left at Clacton tonight.

"We know it's going to be a very tough game, though.

"It's a derby and it'll be a blood-and-thunder contest.

"We have to do the ugly stuff first - matching them in terms of workrate, endeavour and physicality - and then try and produce moments of quality and take our opportunities."

Clacton head into tonight's match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Kirkley and Pakefield on Saturday.

Terry Rymer put them ahead but the visitors turned the match on its head in the second half.

"Football can be so frustrating sometimes," said manager Tom Austin.

"We deserved at least a point."

Elsewhere tonight, Coggeshall return to action with a home match against Saffron Walden Town while WIVENHOE TOWN travel to Great Yarmouth Town.

In division one, there is another all-Essex affair as LITTLE OAKLEY entertain HALSTEAD TOWN while HOLLAND FC cross the Suffolk border for a match at Needham Market Reserves.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES have a First Division Knockout Cup semi-final against Wisbech St Mary, at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium.

Boss Lee Fisher said: "It would be great if people came over to support our young side, to see how much they've developed over the season."

Bostik League division north play-off chasers MALDON AND TIPTREE and HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS are both in action, with the Jammers at home to Barking and Jody Brown's Swifts travelling to Soham Town Rangers.

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT had been due to entertain Leatherhead.

However, the premier division fixture has been rearranged for next Monday.

This is because Leatherhead now have a Surrey Senior Cup semi-final at Dorking Wanderers tonight.