FC CLACTON boss David Coyle says some of his players have “done themselves no favours” in terms of cementing starting spots in his team to face Wivenhoe Town on Saturday.

The Seasiders had no Thurlow Nunn League fixture last weekend but enjoyed a 6-2 victory against Brightlingsea Regent’s reserves, in a friendly at Strangers Corner.

They were 5-0 up at half-time, thanks to Adam Daniels (two), Kevin Coyle, Charlie Thompson and Matt Waters’ penalty.

An early second-half strike from Aaron Condon was then followed by two late Regent goals to make the final score 6-2.

However, while satisfied to see his team hit six, boss Coyle was disappointed to concede twice – and admitted the final score could have been closer.

“Brightlingsea played well,” said the Clacton manager, who takes his side to Wivenhoe’s Maple Tree Cars Stadium for a Thurlow Nunn League premier division fixture on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

“At 5-0, they could have caved in during the second half but they came back fighting and could have scored more than two.

“It was probably a better work-out for them than us, in some respects, and one or two didn’t do themselves any favours in terms of their performances.

“I’m not reading too much into it because we were missing seven or eight key players – five of whom will probably start on Saturday.

“But every time I see the lads – others who might be on the fringe of the first team – it’s a chance for them to either play their way in or out of my thoughts.

“Unfortunately, one or two are now in a slightly more precarious position than they were before the match.

“They just didn’t do enough and I asked the players afterwards who felt they’d done enough to start at Wivenhoe on Saturday.

“Not many were able to put their hands up and make a claim that they should.

“It’s great that we were 5-0 up at half-time, thanks to some moments of individual brilliance, but the fact is that we lost the second half 2-1.”