Saturday 8th October - Kick Off 3.00pm ​It was not quite 60’s style, when teams would play each other on Christmas Day with the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, but as near as you’ll get in this day and age when Clacton who played host to Halstead last week made the 30 mile journey for the return fixture the next week. Before the match, the Halstead U15 Girls team held a fun training session in front of the stand and then formed a guard of honour to clap the teams onto the pitch. ​On what was a sunny Autumn afternoon the teams picked up where they had left off last week and in what was a keenly contested opening 30 minutes in which Clacton had the better chances, Halstead against the run of play hit Clacton on the break and took the lead with a well worked goal. For the first time in several matches Halstead went in leading at half time. ​Clacton started the second half like they meant business and after some sustained pressure got a well deserved equaliser. They continued to press Halstead and 10 minutes later after a scramble in the box Halstead conceded a penalty for handball which was competently put away, sending keeper Jack Cherry the wrong way. ​Halstead made a couple of substitutions and pressed for an equaliser, and did have the ball in the net which was disallowed for offside, but Clacton held firm and deservedly took home all 3pts. ​As with Nottingham Forest (my home town team) it would be fair to say that Halstead are finding life in a higher league more than a challenge, but I have every confidence that both will still nee playing their football at that level next season. ​Essex Senior League - Premier Division Milbank Stadium, Halstead Halstead Town 1 -2 FC Clacton Admission - £7 (£3 concessions) Programme - £1.00 Cheeseburger & Tea - £4.00 Att 243