FC CLACTON striker Adam Hampson hopes to keep challenging at the top of the goal charts.

The Seasiders hot-shot continued his purple patch with another goal in Saturday's thrilling – but ultimately heartbreaking – 4-3 defeat at Newmarket Town.

It came hot on the heels of a hat-trick in last Tuesday's victory by the same score against Woodbridge Town, at the Rush Green Bowl.

It took his tally for the season to nine goals, including a brace in Clacton's Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup victory against Wormingford Wanderers in early August.

And his seven Thurlow Nunn League strikes put him joint-second in the premier division scoring charts, two behind Stowmarket Town's Josh Mayhew.

“I've been really pleased with my record so far,” said Hampson, a summer signing from Halstead Town.

“Not everyone would include the two in the Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup, because it came before our first league game at Hadleigh United.

“But I certainly am because it was a competitive, senior fixture and not a friendly. If anyone asks, I always say I've got nine so far!

“In all seriousness, it's great being part of such an attack-minded side.

“We've got a lot of players who like to get forward and if we can tighten up at the back, we can become a real force in this division.

“We want to go on a run and hopefully pick up as many points as possible between now and Christmas.

“On a personal note, I'm really enjoying it – and not just because of my goals.

“In fact, this is the most I've enjoyed playing at this level for years, bar the season I had at Wivenhoe Town when we won the first division title (in 2015).

“We've got a great set of lads.

“Everyone gets on well and there are a lot of young and ambitious players in the squad – boys that are capable of playing at a higher level.

“We're challenging each other to be the best we can be and we've got a great management team who are doing all they can to take the club forward.”

Clacton are ninth in the premier division take following Saturday's eventful game at Newmarket.

They led 3-1 at the break thanks to goals from Harry McDonald, Hampson - who celebrated his 29th birthday on Monday - and Matt Eve.

But the Jockeys grabbed two goals in the last five minutes to run out unlikely 4-3 victors.

“Everyone was devastated afterwards,” added Hampson.

“We had the points in our grasp but let them slip through our fingers.

“We felt fairly comfortable until the closing stages and so to conceding twice late on was gutting.

“But it's a long season and we can't let one disappointing result affect us.

“We have to concentrate on the positives and we're starting to get players back from injury, which can only help.

“We're training in bigger numbers and working on the areas we need to improve, like being tighter at the back.

“Everyone is pulling in the same direction and I've got high hopes in terms of what we can achieve this season.”

Clacton have a home date with Kirkley and Pakefield on Saturday.