Ghosts seeking a goal grabber

Fakenham Town’s search for a striker has become even more important following Saturday’s home 1-0 defeat by a Whitton side which finished with only nine men, writes John Cushion.

With main striker Karl Pask out with a broken ankle, the Ghosts have not been able to persuade a goal scorer to Clipbush Park.

“We put in seven-days (notices of approaches) for half-a-dozen players over the past month,” said chairman Geoff Saunders. “We start another search this weekend.”

Fakenham, now fourth-bottom of the Ridgeons First Division, have opted to play their next league match, at home to fifth-bottom Swaffham, on Tuesday night (7.45pm), anticipating a bigger gate midweek.

“We can’t put the ball in the net,” said Saunders. After weathering early Whitton pressure the Ghosts penned their visitors into their own half before conceding the only goal of the game in a break-away.

They could not take advantage of Whitton having two men sent off, and Saunders admitted the dearth of goals was frustrating.

“The team spirit is basically good,” he said. The side has been boosted by the return of Sam Garner, but has lost winger Jason Cole to Diss. Another plus is players returning from injuries.

“Enthusiasm in the club is good,” said Saunders, who added that the long-planned new youth training scheme was about to start.

Meanwhile, the search for players who can hit the back of the net continues.

Fakenham Reserves, seventh in Anglian Combination Division Four, lost 4-2 at Bungay Reserves. On Saturday they entertain high-flyers UEA.