Fakenham beat Heacham to lift John Savage Cup

Fakenham EJA U16s 3 Heacham 1Fakenham Town Under-16s won their third successive John Savage Cup as they came from behind to beat a battling Heacham outfit at the Football Development Centre.The Eastern Junior Alliance side were made to fight every step of the way for their latest success against a Heacham team who refused to lie down after losing goalkeeper George Scott to a serious knee injury in the first half.Sunday’s final was the subject of a long delay as Scott was stretchered off late in a goalless first half and outfield player Kian Kyprianou was forced to don the gloves for the remainder of the final.There was little to choose between the sides in an entertaining first half. The Ghosts produced the more fluent football of the two finalists, but the Magpies perhaps had better opportunities to break the deadlock.A flick-on from Heacham’s Alex Nguyen set up an early chance for Alfred Buhlemann whose half-volley was inches wide in the opening exchanges. Stephen Larman typified the Heacham spirit throughout the 80 minutes when he made a last-gasp tackle to deny Joseph Henham a clear shot on goal.The busy Harvey Pightling then sent Buhlemann clear but the wideman was denied an opportunity to do any damage in the box by Fakenham defender Rocco Wilson who tracked back well. Fakenham captain Ashton Thorrold saw a long-range effort from 20 yards just whistle past the post as the Ghosts threatened to take control with their best spell of the game.Perhaps the best chance of the half fell to Buhlemann who picked up a ball from Jaden Poore and looked set to score, only for alert Fakenham goalkeeper Thomas Clutterbuck to beat him to the ball just outside his box, The dangerous Dylan Coslett was forced off the pitch with an injury for Fakenham and a few minutes later Heacham shotstopper Scott followed him off the pitch after an awkward landing ended his participation after receiving lengthy treatment for a serious-looking injury.The sickening injury to the Heacham goalkeeper led to an extended interval and the Magpies came out in a determined mood at the start of the second half. They took the lead shortly after the restart after the ball found its way through to Charlie King to hammer home into the top corner of the net.Fakenham remained patient in the face of some last-ditch defending by their Norfolk Combined Youth Football League opponents, who fought valiantly to hold onto their lead. Liam Ireland’s corner came back off the post before the equaliser eventually arrived as Joseph Henham curled home a beautiful free-kick just outside the box. Lucus Densley saw an effort graze the Heacham post before two goals in quick succession finally saw off Heacham’s stubborn resistance.Theo DeSouza bundled home a second and Ghosts substitute Torren Seed-Adams hammered home a third as the Ghosts’ pressure finally took its toll.There was no doubt that Fakenham were deserved winners on the day but Heacham can hold their heads up high for a gallant effort in what was their first-ever County Cup final.Heacham: Scott, Cook, Wightman, McDonnell, Larman, Nguyen, Pightling, Buhlemann, Poore, King, Marsden. Subs: Cazot, Kyprianou, Osbourne, Auker, Robins.Fakenham Town: Clutterbuck, Wilson, Mower, Kamolafe, Thorrold, Twose, Henham, Coslett, Piggott, Densley, Ireland. Subs: Kaykusuz, Seed-Adams, Williams, DeSouza, Spurgeon.