Downham and Fakenham go into the final weekend fighting for league title

Interim boss Neil Jarvis says Fakenham Town’s players are relishing having something to play for going into the final two games of a titanic Thurlow Nunn League title race.The Ghosts are sitting in pole position, but have both Brantham Athletic and Downham Town breathing down their necks as the league draws to a dramatic conclusion.Fakenham travel to Long Melford tomorrow and finish with a home derby against Dereham Town on Easter Monday.Jarvis said: “We’re delighted to be sitting top going into the final weekend of the season.”There’s pressure whether fighting for promotion or fighting relegation, but I believe players are enjoying just being involved and having something to play for at this stage of the season.”Since Harvs (Stephen Harvey) and I stepped in, we’ve basically asked the lads to just focus on the next game in front of us and not to get carried away with all the various scenarios it can bring during the remaining games.”It’s been about building a mindset of just focusing on one game at a time. Also, having versatile players, being able to change shape, has been very helpful.” Jarvis has the greatest of respect for both title rivals, saying: “The other two teams vying for the title are excellent outfits, Brantham being very powerful and direct, Downham more technical but also an extremely experienced outfit. “Looking at the remaining fixtures, I would see Brantham as slight favourites, Downham have tougher games but are capable of winning both.”Whatever happens, a Fakenham squad made up of 4-5 senior players, U21S and a sprinkling of U18 players will continue to improve.”Second-placed Brantham, who have a one-goal inferior difference to the Ghosts, travel to Kirkley and Pakefield before entertaining Hadleigh two days later. Third-placed Downham Town are Yarmouth Town and end with a home derby against Heacham on Monday.Downham sit a point behind both Brantham and Fakenham. Stokes said: “We just have to crack on and do what we’ve got to do, see what happens around us and where we finish up.”It’s disappointing after last weekends situation, as we should be sitting a point clear still. “However, our aim was the play-offs and we’ve achieved that.”Stokes has been delighted with his side’s form since the defeat at Heacham earlier in the year.”I’ve said it several times that the availability factor with the team is huge,” he said.We always knew if we could get that to where it needs to be then we’d have a real chance to achieve something. It’s no coincidence that a large part of this period has seen us with a pretty consistent side. “We’ve had a superb run of late against some very good sides and controlled games.“During that period we’ve done the double over Mulbarton and Brantham and won away at Dereham, they’re all great achievements on their own, but to do it the way we have was impressive.”The players really stepped it up. It’s unfortunately the games where we’ve had to make big changes to the team that we’ve dropped points.”The perfect example being Fakenham away. That’s the only game we’ve lost since the New Year. That was a six-pointer and to be honest I look at that game as their turning point.”Credit to them as they’ve been flying since and now find themselves top. You can’t go into those games as under strength as we did.”