Ghosts host young Canaries in quarter-final clash

Boss Alex Walpole wants his Fakenham Town players to carry their red-hot league form into Tuesday night’s Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final clash at home to Norwich City U21s.The Ghosts find themselves just two games away from a Carrow Road appearance and, after a disappointing season in the cup competitions, Walpole wants to make up amends by toppling the Canaries at the Daly Group Stadium.”We’re really looking forward to the game,” said Walpole.”We’re not sure what side Norwich will bring, but regardless, it’ll be a tough test. They’ll be fit, sharp and well-drilled.”If you want to win the Senior Cup, you’ve got to beat these sorts of teams at some point. It is a home game too, which is extra special.”We’re hoping for a good crowd and a positive performance.”With Walpole’s side still topping the Thurlow Nunn standings, the Fakenham boss believes there will still be pressure on his side to perform against the young Canaries. “I think there will still be an element of pressure on us,” he said. “We’re having a good league campaign so far and have really underperformed in the cups this season.”We know the Senior Cup is winnable, and we’ve got a group of lads desperate to play at Carrow Road.”The Ghosts saw Saturday’s Premier Division trip to Stowmarket Town postponed, but the squad have been keeping themselves prepared by using a 3G to train om. “Thankfully we’ve been able to hire a 3G facility to use so we can keep the players ticking over,” said Walpole.”We’ve got a big month and want to keep our match sharpness.”Fans are reminded that Tuesday night’s game will kick off at 7.15pm. Elsewhere at the weekend, Downham Town’s inconsistency in front of goal was all too evident as they drew 2-2 at Soham Town Rangers on Saturday.Sixth-placed Downham had Eoin McQuaid and Lagshan Sivakumar on target but missed a host of chances to bring all three points back home from Julius Martin Lane. After the game, Downham boss Dale Stokes took to X to say: “Such a frustrating period at the moment.”We played some great stuff again today but it was the same old story of controlling games and creating plenty of chances, but not seeing it off. Can’t keep happening.”An early Toby Hilliard goal put Heacham in control of their home clash against Sheringham before the game was abandoned after 30 minutes due to Storm Darragh.In the First Division North, Swaffham Town’s crucial home clash against Whittlesey Athletic also fell victim to the elements.