Ghosts book final date before leaders deliver reality check
The Ghosts celebrate clinching a final date at Carrow Road after winning a penalty dshoot-out against Harleston. Picture: Fakenham FC - Credit: Archant
Fakenham will grace the Carrow Road turf in May in the final of the Norfolk Senior Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Harleston Town in last week’s semi-final clash.
The Ghosts trudge off the pitch - Credit: Archant
The Ghosts had to dig deep to get anything out of the game, after conceding on the stroke of half time and being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
Let the celebrations begin - Credit: Archant
Fakenham started brightly but Anglian Combination Premier Division Harleston stamped their own mark on the game playing some very attractive football.
The Harleston Town box under siege as Fakenham attack during the Norfolk Senior Cup semi-final at the FDC, which they won on penaltes. Picture: Fakenham Town FC - Credit: Archant
Harleston broke the deadlock shortly before half time as a lapse in the defence allowed too much time and space in the penalty box.
George Abbott, who saw red for The Ghosts - Credit: Archant
Early in the second half a late challenge resulted in a second yellow card for midfielder George Abbott. After a change in formation, despite being a man light, Fakenham upped their game in search of an equaliser.
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And it didn’t take long to arrive. A free kick was swung towards the Harleston penalty spot to an unmarked Ashley Jarvis and the top scorer made no mistake.
Harleston hit the Fakenham post but the game went into extra time and Fakenham felt aggrieved in the second period when a strong appeal for a goal was waved away.
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In the penalty shoot-out Ghosts goalkeeper Tommy Rix played his part superbly with two stops, and with Kyle Plumb, Joel Glover, Josh Youngs, Matty Dye obliging with their penalties, it was left to Matt Gilchrist to send The Ghosts to Carrow Road.
At the weekend, with several players rested after their Cup exploits, The Ghosts came back down to earth, with a 0-5 league humbling at runaway leaders Mildenhall Town.
Tomorrow evening, Swaffham Town are the visitors to Clipbush Park in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, with kick off at 7.45pm.
The fixture will be the second time in the past week that The Ghosts have played The Pedlars, with Fakenham’s Reserves beating Swaffham’s second string on Saturday 3-1, with goals from Joey Harrison, Johnny Lane (penalty) and Carlos Greeves.
This weekend sees an away trip to Freethorpe in the Anglian Combination Division Three, where The Ghosts currently sit second.
