Fakenham and Downham both win as title race goes down to final day

It’s as you were for Fakenham Town and Downham Town going into the final games of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division on Monday.Both teams recorded victories on the road this afternoon to leave them with a shot at winning the league title going into the Easter Monday’s fixtures.Fakenham did their goal difference no harm at all with a 4-0 victory against Long Melford thanks to a flurry of late goals.The Ghosts missed a penalty in the opening few minutes and hit the woodwork early in the second half before teenage substitute Rui Mcintyre fired them in front.Mcintyre added his second before Joe Keeley made it 3-0, and Lewis Sturman struck with a late free-kick to complete the scoring.It means that Fakenham – who remain at the summit with 76 points – are three goals better off than second-placed Brantham Athletic – 3-1 winners at Kirkley and Pakefield – going into their home fixture against Dereham, who are still chasing a play-off spot, at the Daly Group Stadium.Brantham Athletic entertain Hadleigh United and will have one eye on developments in Norfolk. Downham Town remain third on 75 points, but will need to win on Monday and hope that both the Ghosts and Brantham drop points if they are to have any chance of clinching the league crown. Dale Stokes’ side were 2-1 winners at Yarmouth Town.Downham took control by scoring twice in the opening 17 minutes in a dominant first-half display.A flowing move ended with Charlie Royle netting in the second minute before a lovely through ball from Dylan Kirk allowed Dylan Edge to double Downham’s lead 15 minutes later. That’s how it stayed until midway through the second half, when the Bloaters reduced the arrears through Jake Spooner.Downham end their league campaign with a home derby against Heacham. Elsewhere in the top flight, Heacham ended their home season with a 3-0 defeat against Soham Town Rangers.Mason Newman fired the visitors ahead in the 28th minute and doubled their advantage with his second goal of the game seven minutes later. Soham Town Rangers added a third midway through the second half after Ryan Sharman’s ball in behind was converted by Ollie Ward with a dinked finish.In the First Division North, Swaffham Town were beaten 3-0 at Pinchbeck United.Fakenham Town: Pearson, Malenguka, Coslett, Sturman, Wright, Mayhew, Keeley, Henman, Watts, Whiteley, Middleton. Subs: Rasberry, Henman-Mason, Mcintyre, Bonner, Poore.Downham Town: McAnally, Miller, Reed, Watts-Sturrock, Bird, M. Castellan, Royle, White, Edge, McQuaid, Kirk. Subs: Smith, N. Castellan, Visocanskis, Sivakumar, Murkin.Heacham: Watson, Akers, Anderson, Goult, Robinson, Dear, Davies, Hunt, Hilliard, Suckling, Williams. Subs: Prentice, Hutton, Wood, Harwood, Willmott.