Matt Waters scored a sensational winner two minutes from time to see Clacton clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory over a spirited Brantham Athletic. The Seasiders were behind twice but fired back to level the scores when with just two minutes remaining Waters picked up a loose ball thirty yards out on the left. The Clacton winger embarked on a mazy dribble across the front of goal beating four defenders before sliding the ball inside the far post to send the visiting Seasiders into raptures.

It had not always been the case though as Clacton were pushed all the way by Brantham as two of the divisions best sides fought out a tightly contested match and following a bright start Clacton had a major let off after sixteen minutes. Scott Wass, deputising for Craig Rulton in the Clacton goal, was only able to parry a fierce long range effort to the feet of Simon Mann. Inexplicably, with the goal at his mercy the Brantham winger managed to scoop the ball over the bar from just eight yards out, much to the relief of the visitors.

With this the game opened up and in quick succession Tommy Noble and Paul Hillier both headed wide for Clacton. However on twenty minutes Brantham led when an angled cross from the right saw Sean Gunn rise over Lee Peacock to loop a header into the far corner. 

It took Clacton just five minutes to restore parity as Tommy Noble crossed low for Sean Hillier to smash home. The remainder of the half saw some good play from both teams with Clacton just shading it. The closest either side came was after a neat four man Clacton move saw Paul Hillier steer the ball goalward only for Patrick Brothers to hook the ball off the line and ensure the scores were level at the break.

If Clacton ended the first half the stronger it was Brantham who started the second half on the offensive. After just five minutes they restored their lead when Gunn was allowed space to drill home well from 20 yards for his second goal of the night. There then followed the best Brantham spell of the match as they did not allow Clacton to settle, however, despite several dangerous crosses, they failed to press home their advantage or even create a clear cut chance. Slowly Clacton worked their way back into the match and on sixty-five minutes substitute Kevin Coyle, on for the injured Dan Smith, fired a spectacular 25-yard shot just over the bar.

The Seasiders found an equaliser with just twelve minutes remaining when they were awarded a contentious penalty. The referee had not been endearing himself to the away supporters with his display but it was the home side who were incensed when Sean Hillier was judged to have been unfairly impeded by a Brantham defender inside the box. After a linesman’s flag and a moment’s hesitation the official pointed to the spot despite strong and prolonged protests from the home side. Waters put his penalty miss against Godmanchester behind him to fire into the top right hand corner and level the scores.

The last ten minutes saw both sides going for the victory but it was Waters late strike that gave Clacton the spoils and ensured a successful start to the campaign with four points earned from two tough away games.