Downham makes FA Cup progress

Downham Town booked their place in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup this afternoon while there were exits for both Fakenham Town and Heacham on their travels.Downham will play either Thetford Town or Ipswich Wanderers, who will replay on Tuesday night following a goalless draw after an excellent 4-1 win at Long Melford this afternoon.The visitors delivered an excellent display in the second half to book their place in the next stage.Connor Balment tapped home from a corner to give Downham the lead only for Freddie Pheby to convert a Ryan Gibbs cross to level matters going into the break.Downham regained the lead seven minutes after the restart as Jake Miller and Eoin McQuaid combined to play in Dylan Edge who slotted past the home goalkeeper.It was 3-1 three minutes later as Daniel Hobbs squared the ball from the right for Lagshan Sivakumar to convert.Downham confirmed their spot in the next round with a fourth goal through Gelson Rocha in injury time. There was no cup joy for either Heacham or Fakenham Town. The Magpies suffered a 4-0 defeat at Harleston Town while Fakenham Town were beaten 3-0 at Cornard United.Nathan Stone headed home a Josh Durham corner to give Harleston an early lead Durham made it 2-0 after brilliant work from Asa McGeachy.Debutant Harry Hawthorne made it 3-0 early in the second period and there was still time for Robbie Turner to add another after a beautiful piece of play by McGeachy. Fakenham Town were sunk by a Louie Arnold hat-trick in their Extra Preliminary Round tie.Arnold fired the home team into the lead from the edge of the box after 30 minutes and doubled Cornard’s lead in first-half injury time. He completed his treble with 20 minutes left on the clock following an assist from Charlie Lindoe.In the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North, Swaffham Town opened their points account for the season with a hard-fought point from a goalless draw at Needham U23s.