THERE was no doubting the stand-out individual performance in the Thurlow Nunn League.

That honour went to new STANWAY ROVERS striker Shamido Pedulu, who plundered all the goals in his side's 6-1 victory at premier division basement boys Swaffham Town.

Pedulu, formerly of Witham Town and more recently Brightlingsea Regent, was one of four new faces in the Rovers squad for Saturday's match.

He was joined by fellow new recruits Ben Lampon, from Holland FC, James Murray, from Stowmarket Town, and experienced striker Leon Antoine, from Ryman League premier division side Harlow Town.

A further pre-match boost was the news Max Booth has extended his loan stay from Needham Market.

And so despite recent results not going to plan, it was an upbeat Stanway squad that made the long trip to Norfolk.

That optimism was reflected in their performance, with five goals flying into the net before Swaffham replied.

Even then, it was that man Pedulu who had the final word, wrapping up a highly-satisfying debut for Karl Duguid's side.

There were also plenty of goals in the matches involving north Essex neighbours WIVENHOE TOWN and FC CLACTON.

Sadly, however, both were on the receiving end of big defeats.

The Dragons went down 4-1 at Kirkley and Pakefield.

They hit the bar twice before finding themselves 2-0 down, at which point Joe McCracken halved the deficit for Mo Osman's men.

However, it failed to spark a comeback and the Royals grabbed two more goals to run out comfortable winners at Walmer Road.

Clacton also shipped four in a 4-0 defeat at Thetford Town.

The damage could have been even worse, as the hosts hit the bar twice and missed a hatful of chances.

On a day when all four of the Gazette's premier division sides were on their travels, BRANTHAM ATHLETIC visited title-chasing Felixstowe and Walton and were pipped 2-1.

The Imps led at half-time before being pegged back.

Previous first division leaders COGGESHALL TOWN have dropped to third, after being leapfrogged by both Stowmarket and Haverhill Borough.

Coggeshall lost 5-4 in a crazy game at Whitton United, with their goal-scorers being Tyrone Scarlett, Tom Monk, Nnamdi Nwachuku and Kamal Guthmy.

Coggeshall have a game in hand on Haverhill but have played the same number of matches as Stowmarket.

Haverhill's victory was a 2-0 success at HALSTEAD TOWN, who were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Shaun Avis.

Both goals came in the second half.

Halstead are eighth in the table, one place ahead of HOLLAND FC, who went down 2-1 at King's Lynn Reserves.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES defeated Diss Town 3-1, thanks to goals from Bailey Jones, Jake Thompson and Alfie Cleal.