Adam Hampson’s hat-trick and a Charlie Thompson strike saw FC Clacton overturn a half-time deficit to win 4-3 in a pulsating second half against Woodbridge Town at the Rush Green Bowl.

The Seasiders were trailing at half-time in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division encounter, with a tenth minute goal from Woodbridge’s Matt McKenzie giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

However, that didn’t last long after the restart as Clacton were soon back on level terms when Hampson converted from close range to make it 1-1 after 49 minutes.

And things got even better for Clacton nine minutes later as they took the lead with a goal from Thompson.

It came from a corner as he forced the loose ball in from an acute angle after an initial header had been saved.

The Seasiders were on a roll now and after another ten minutes had passed, it became 3-1 to the hosts when Hampson doubled his night’s tally as he fired home from Jake Plane’s cross.

However, it didn’t take long for the Woodpeckers to peg them back as, three minutes later, Kelsey Trotter fired low past home keeper Joe Fowler after the ball had fallen to him in the area.

Clacton made sure of the points, though, when the Hampson-Plane combination struck again, with Plane the provider again as Hampson curled the ball in from 30 yards to complete a stunning treble.

It was almost 5-2 when Harry McDonald was denied by a great save from Woodbridge keeper Alfie Strong in what had become a pulsating second half.

And there was just enough time for a final twist as Ryan Keeble fired the visitors back within a goal of Clacton, but there was no equaliser as an entertaining game ended with the hosts holding on to a 4-3 lead.

Meanwhile, in the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Cup, Halstead Town were beaten 4-0 at Maldon and Tiptree.

The Jammers led 3-0 at half-time, with their third goal coming from the penalty spot, and a late fourth wrapped things up for the hosts at Park Drive.