Clymping pick up first win of the season

Clymping, who were without a win in 17 County League Division 2 attempts, looked the more threatening from start to finish and manager Darran Atkins said: “Today’s result has been a long time coming. I felt the team finally gelled and with a few home fixtures coming up we can really push on from this result. This is not a going down team.”

It was difficult to believe Clymping were the bottom team in the division, as they looked sharp from the off and took the lead after just five minutes.

EP failed to clear their lines and Joe Atkins timed his run perfectly to slot home. EP’s best opportunities came from set pieces as they struggled to get into the game. Adam Wilde headed their best chance wide from a corner.

EP applied a bit more pressure after this effort, with a half-volley in the box from Andy Bainbridge well saved by Steve May, while Clymping pushed for a second as the half went on, with Steve Duffin looking a constant threat.

Most were expecting a come back from EP in the second period but Clymping did not allow EP back into the game.

They got another early goal, just as they did in the first half, when Matt James’ header was originally well saved, but he made no mistake from the rebound to give Clymping a two-goal cushion on 58 minutes.

They made it 3-0 in the 65th minute when Duffin capped a great performance with a well-taken goal after he rounded EP keeper Guy Souch.

EP got a consolation through Joe Charman, but their caretaker manager Paul Bird said: “I think we turned up with the attitude that three points were in the bag today.

“We were complacent and looked lethargic all over the park. Performances cannot get much worse than this so we can only go in one direction – forward.”

EP: Souch; Campbell, Windsor, James, Sutliffe; Charman, Bainbridge, Stideford, Lawson; Burgess, Hand. Subs: Farrier (Lawson 45), Barnard (Burgess 72), McLeod (Hand 85), Dacosta, Banfield.

CLYMPING: May; Denford, Johnson, Harris; James, Atkins, Sweeny, Blackwood, Perkins; Duffin, Lonhurst. Subs: Lawton (Perkins 24), Barber (Longhurst 81), Rymer (Duffin 88), Higgs, Challen.