Depleted Ghosts bow out in derby

Dereham Town 2, Fakenham Town 0

Sickly Fakenham had to settle for second best as the Magpies took derby honours and progressed to the third round of the Ridgeons League Cup at Aldiss Park on Tuesday night.

Dereham were looking to get back to winning ways after their blank weekend and a couple of disappointing defeats.

The game started in foggy conditions and after Luke Gilchrist and Kristian Jones had efforts following Jason Pease corners, Dereham’s Luke Tuttle forced Ghosts goalkeeper Tommy Rix into a fine save.

In the 11th minute Scott Roberts rattled Rix’s crossbar with a 25-yard drive and while the game continued to flow, it took until the 33rd minute before another chance came along – Tuttle dragging his shot from outside the area wide.

Billy Smith presented Ollie Willis with a chance but again the ball flew off-target.

However, Fakenham could not see things out until half-time, Dereham taking the lead when Luke Tuttle converted Scott Roberts’ corner from close range.

Shortly after the restart Smith struck a Ghosts post from an acute angle, and the hosts kept up their pressure as minutes later Smith headed over.

In the 62nd minute Adam Gusterson also went close, guiding a 20-yarder over the top after a good move. Tuttle then came within inches of his second on the night, before Scott Roberts hit the bar again – this time with a 30-yard free-kick.

Eventually the pressure did pay off; Luke Tuttle latching onto a long through-ball on 73 minutes and skilfully chipping Fakenham keeper Rix to all but seal the tie.

So a cup exit – but the depleted Ghosts could not be faulted for their efforts.

Fakenham are without a game this Saturday – giving a few faces the chance to recover – but do have an important match on Tuesday night when they host Wroxham in the fourth round of the Norfolk Senior Cup at Clipbush Park, hoping to secure a place in the last eight of the competition.