Wins for Downham and Swaffham; defeats for Fakenham and Heacham

There were mixed fortunes for West Norfolk’s senior football sides in the Thurlow Nunn League on Saturday.Both Downham Town and Swaffham Town recorded victories in their respective leagues while Fakenham Town and Heacham were beaten on their travels in their latest fixtures.Premier Division play-off chasers Downham Town enjoyed a comfortable afternoon with a 3-0 victory over Brantham Athletic at the SCL Memorial Field.Fletcher Toll continued his recent goalscoring exploits with a brace to make it 14 goals in 12 games after James Moore had opened the scoring with a header.Joint Downham boss Craig Dickson said: It was probably our most controlled performance of the season.“The first half we had control of the game until we lost Eoin (McQuaid) to a nasty head injury and it disrupted the flow of the game. “In the second half, we were dominant, on and off the ball, and could have won by more.”Downham are seventh in the league standings, but still have games in hand on several sides above them in the table.There was no such luck for Fakenham Town who suffered a 3-1 defeat at second-placed Newmarket on the 3G.Jake Watts gave the Ghosts an early lead on their travel, but the Jockey’s were level going into the break and scored twice in the second half.Heacham were also on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat at Lakenheath.The Magpies’ eighth-placed hosts raced into a 3-0 advantage at the break before Matt Goss replied for Heacham who fought back strongly in the second half.In the First Division North, Chez Rust found the back of the net twice as Swaffham Town recorded a much-needed 2-0 victory over Leiston U23s at the Uncle Luke’s Stadium.Joint boss Paul Faulkner said: “In recent weeks, we’ve asked for hard-working performances and was unlucky to not get something from the Harwich game.”Yesterday was a real team performance and we need to beat the teams around us and continue to improve.”This midweek sees all four local sides turn their attentions to the third round of the Norfolk Senior Cup.In terms of interest, the pick of the tie’s sees King’s Lynn Town U23s take on Heacham under the lights at the Walks.Fakenham Town welcome Isthmian League outfit Gorleston to Clipbush Park on Tuesday night while Swaffham Town host Premier Division high-flyers Harleston Town.Downham Town make the trip to Mulbarton Wanderers.