IT proved a successful day for the Gazette's Thurlow Nunn League premier division trio, with victories for STANWAY ROVERS, FC CLACTON and BRANTHAM ATHLETIC.

All three won on home soil to enhance their positions in the top flight.

Stanway made it five wins from eight matches, continuing their strong start with a 2-0 victory against Swaffham Town.

Danny Slatter's men scored a goal in either half.

Jack Baker broke the deadlock and there was a second-half penalty from Milo Grimes.

Clacton, meanwhile, followed up last week’s excellent 3-1 victory at Hadleigh United with a 1-0 success at home to Walsham-le-Willows.

Charlie Thompson nodded home their first just before the half-hour mark, reacted quickest after a free-kick bounced back off the post.

Walsham equalised just before the hour-mark but Thompson proved the Seasiders' hero, heading his second of the match after getting on the end of a pinpoint cross from Zach Smith-Walter.

To complete a great day for our premier division sides, Brantham ran out 2-0 winners at home to Haverhill Rovers.

Asa Milliard and Regan Pelling scored the Imps' goals.

The first division south programme got underway on Friday but it proved a disappointing night for both HARWICH AND PARKESTON and BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES.

The Shrimpers suffered a 1-0 defeat at Frenford while the young R’s went down 3-0 at May and Baker.

As for Saturday's action, all eyes were on the north Essex derby between LITTLE OAKLEY and WIVENHOE TOWN.

It finished 3-1 to the impressive Acorns thanks to second-half goals from Harry Mann, Greg Rodger and Luke Mayhew.

However, Wivenhoe had broken the deadlock after Dean Merrett headed the ball into the path of the unmarked Matt Tapley, who converted via the post.

In the three other games of note, HALSTEAD TOWN suffered a 3-0 defeat at early pacesetters Lopes Tavares but there were 1-0 victories for both HOLLAND FC and COGGESHALL UNITED.

Holland's success came at Newbury Forest, where Sonny Bastone hit their winner just before the hour-mark, while the Weavers prevailed at Hackney Wick, thanks to a goal from Mwetsi Matangi.

As for our performance of the week prize, Oakley get the nod after coming from behind to defeat a fast-improving Wivenhoe side.

It was a result that moved them up to second in the table, with five wins from nine games, just a point behind Lopes Tavares.

It’s a quiet night for midweek fixtures, with the only one of note being Wivenhoe’s First Division Knockout Cup tie at home to Felixstowe and Walton United Reserves.