Fakenham Town struggling on pitch - but chairman insists there are plenty of positives

Fakenham Town chairman Simon Barnes issued an upbeat message to supporters despite a 10th defeat in 11 games for the first team.

The Ghosts were beaten 3-0 at Kirkley and Pakefield in a rare Friday night fixture and still have only bottom side Wivenhoe Town below them in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table.

But Barnes insists there was plenty to be proud of as a tough season draws to a close in hectic fashion, with three matches coming up in the space of six days.

In a message on the club’s official website he said: “I fully understand it has been a difficult season, and I know how disappointed the first team boys feel at the moment, but let’s just put things into perspective.

“We have a thriving youth set-up which is the envy of all in Norfolk, our Reserves are returning to senior football and also have a Cup Final to look forward to and we have a new main club sponsor and first team sponsor already on board for next season,

“We have an excellent young management team in place for next season, our pitch and facilities are some of the best in the Eastern Counties and most importantly we have a group of committee members and volunteers who are dedicated to the club. We also have a bank account in the black and, I ask you all, how many clubs would like to be in our position? So although we are struggling in the Thurlow Nunn League, there is still so much to be positive about.”

On Friday Kirkley & Pakefield took the lead on 32 minutes when Miguel Lopez sent a superb long ball to Kyle Baker that saw him fire across goal to beat Tommy Rix.

Just five minutes later Lee Will increased the Royals’ lead when he fired just inside the post from the edge of the area. On 43 minutes full-back Holt was brought down in the area but the normally reliable Liam Harvey-Cooper hit the post with his penalty and the ball was cleared.

The second period saw the home team go further ahead when Baker was brought down just outside the area. He took the free-kick himself and brilliantly fired in from 20 yards for his second of the night. Lee Will then had a shot go close before rare attack by the Ghosts saw Jack Hurrell crash his shot against the bar with the ball bouncing down just off the goal line. It was keeper Adam Rix’s only real scare of a quiet night.

Fakenham host Haverhill Rovers on Saturday before re-arranged home games against title chasing Felixstowe and Walton on Tuesday (7.45pm) and Godmanchester Rovers on Thursday (8pm).