Kyle Plumb’s return to the starting line-up has given Fakenham Town a real boost as they prepare to get their 2015 fixtures underway, writes Gareth Davis.

The big striker was back in the first XI for the first time this season on Saturday after recovering from a foot injury. Plumb, the Ghosts’ 2013/14 supporters’ player of the season for his 22 goals in the promotion-winning campaign, gave Thurlow Nunn Premier Division title favourites Norwich United a tough afternoon as he marked his return with a good performance.

Manager Wayne Anderson said: “Plumby has trained hard in the last couple of weeks and has been desperate to get back in the squad.

“He did really well against Norwich and kept the ball really well for us against a good centre-half who has played at a higher level in Greg Crane, who Plumby ran ragged. Now he needs to go and excel himself for the rest of this season and push himself on ready for next year.”

Plumb’s return wasn’t the only comeback as Lee Day started for only the third time in 2014/15 following injury and unavailability. The experienced centre-half is now available for the rest of the season and Anderson was pleased with his performance, as he also was with left-back Matty Dye who was back after an ankle problem.

“Lee Day didn’t look like he had been away and up against some quality strikers, him and Josh Youngs looked comfortable,” said Anderson.

“He is as fit as a fiddle and it was great to see him back, just like it was to get Matty Dye back in the team.”

Despite the trio’s return it wasn’t all a positive final matchday of the year for Fakenham as they were beaten 3-0 by United, though the scoreline did not reflect the way the game went. Plumb and Ashley Jarvis both had good chances before Norwich opened the scoring through Ben Thompson, and although Matt Blake doubled the advantage on 54 the visitors’ Duncan McAnally was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers.

He made fine saves in the second period from Dion Frary, Matt Gilchrist and Jarvis again before Paul Cook netted on the break two minutes from time.

Fakenham end 2014 eighth in the Premier Division table with 31 points from their 22 games ahead of Saturday’s visit to Stanway Rovers (3pm), who are seventh on the same points, but with a better goal difference.

Stephen Harvey and Matty Franks could return after missing the Norwich United game while Jake Wiseman will be assessed after going off early against the leaders.

Fakenham’s reserves will look to get back to winning ways in Division Three of the Anglian Combination on Saturday when they host Blofield United Reserves, seven days after going down 2-0 at Downham Town Reserves and also having Ben Calvert sent off.