FC CLACTON manager Tom Austin has hailed the firepower of goal-den trio Adam Hampson, Karl Andrade and Jake Clowsley.

The latter was on target in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ely City while Hampson and Andrade netted in a 2-0 victory against Haverhill Rovers on Tuesday night.

Hampson’s thunderbolt was a spectacular long-range strike while Andrade pounced to follow-up after a shot from Clowsley.

Austin believes he is lucky to have the talented trio and hopes they keep scoring until the end of the Thurlow Nunn League season.

“Hampy’s goal was something special and it was great to see him on the scoresheet yet again,” said the Clacton boss.

“He works so hard and, as an attacking force, our front three are very dangerous.

“Karl scored again, too, and he’s a real fox in the box.

“Jake doesn’t stop running and if I was a centre-half, I wouldn’t want to play against him.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air since coming over.

“Sometimes we miss having a target man, as such.

“But as a front three, we’re fortunate to have these boys.

“Hampy’s so clever, Jake’s quick and in-your-face and Karl’s a deadly finisher. I can’t remember a Clacton front three being this dangerous, and scoring so many goals, for quite a while.”

The Seasiders are ninth in the premier division, just a point behind neighbours Brantham Athletic – who they host on Easter Monday – and four clear of tenth-placed Newmarket Town.

They entertain rock-bottom Framlingham Town on Saturday and five of their last seven matches, including this weekend, are at the Rush Green Bowl.

Austin was delighted to put three more points on the board against Haverhill but believes there is room for improvement.

“If I’m honest, I wasn’t overly impressed with the overall performance,” he said.

“We played some good football in spells but lacked a bit of quality on the ball.

“We didn’t play particularly well early on but the first goal settled us down and we looked decent for the remainder of the first half.

"Then the second half was about game management, seeing it out and getting another victory under our belts.

“It was a big win, especially on the back of the weekend when we had seven missing and drew at Ely.

“We’re putting pressure on the sides above now and that’s so important, as far as I’m concerned.

“We can’t let the season peter out and I still feel someone is due a battering from us, when everyone clicks.

“Hopefully that’ll be before the end of the season.

“Now it’s another big game against Framlingham.

“They’re fighting for their lives but we’ve got seven games left and need to pick up points at home.

“If you want to be a top-six or seven side, you have to have that mentality.

“You have to look at games, want to win them and believe you can win them. Otherwise it won’t end up happening.

“I don’t want us to have that end-of-season mentality.

“I want us to keep driving forward and achieve something to be proud of this season.

“It’s within grasp and a top-ten finish is most definitely achievable.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday night, HARWICH AND PARKESTON won 2-0 at HOLLAND FC.

Callum Griffith and Jordan Heath were on target in the first division south contest.