Fakenham Town first teamers have a break until September 27, when they entertain struggling Saffron Walden, to discover a Ridgeons League winning formula.

Fakenham Town first teamers have a break until September 27, when they entertain struggling Saffron Walden, to discover a Ridgeons League winning formula.

A 9-0 hammering at Division One promotion hopefuls Halstead on Saturday was followed by a 4-0 reverse at Gorleston on Tuesday, where a few weeks earlier the Ghosts won 5-3 in the FA Cup, writes John Cushion.

Joint managers Mark King and Stuart Woodhouse have no complaints about the effort their squad is putting in, or their spirit, and the break from action will give a precious period to train hard and talk tactics.

“We must not be too downhearted,” said Woodhouse yesterday.

“Player for player we feel we have got a good side. We cannot seem to gel. We have played quite well at times but we just cannot put the ball in the net at crucial times.

“We cannot fault the players for their effort and there is plenty of spirit.”

At Halstead, the Ghosts trailed only 2-0 at half-time but fell victim to their hosts' blistering counter-attacking pace in the second period.

At Emerald Park on Tuesday, with the interval score 3-0 to the Greens, supporters feared another second-half blitz, but Fakenham, as in the first half, had a fair share of possession and worked hard.

Woodhouse said he was not disappointed with the performance at Gorleston. At 0-0 Danny Tanti, from a Liam Campbell free-kick, forced a blinding save from the Greens' keeper.

“We struggled with balls coming into the box,” admitted Woodhouse.

Goreston went ahead on 18 minutes when Ricci Butler netted from close range and made it 2-0 on 34 minutes when Luke Goreham finished well after a good move.

On 43 minutes Eddie Thompson made it 3-0.

There were plenty of chances in the second but there was only one more goal when Goreham again finished well.

Woodhouse said he felt sorry for Julian Delicata and keeper Daniel Stockdale who had good games. “The killer goal was their third just before half-time.”

The defeat leaves the Ghosts second bottom of Division One with one point from five games having scored two goals to 18 conceded.

But they will fancy their chances against Saffron Walden who are only one place better off.