Fakenham frontman sets sights on Step 5 record

Fakenham Town have set red-hot frontman Jake Watts a challenge of beating the club’s scoring record at Step 5.Watts has his sights on former King’s Lynn manager Gary Setchell’s tally of 36 league goals (49 in total) back in 1997/1998.The Ghosts’ striker has already plundered 22 goals in 13 games for the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division leaders who are four points clear at the top of the table heading into Saturday’s trip to Yarmouth Town.Fakenham boss Alex Walpole said: “Wattsy has been asking about the league record which is currently 52, held by Josh Mayhew. “We’ve set him the target of becoming Fakenham’s top-ever goalscorer in a Step 5 league season.”That record is currently held by Gary Setchell (36). We go on about the goals that Wattsy scores, but he’s so much more than a goalscorer.”His overall game has come on leaps and bounds over recent seasons and he’s capable of scoring any type of goal.”Yarmouth will be our toughest league game yet. They had a brilliant season last season and they’ve carried that form on into this season. It’s a difficult place to visit and we know we’re in for a game.” The Fakenham boss says that a positive environment at the Daly Group Stadium has been the reason behind the club’s flying start to the campaign. “The squad as a whole have worked hard, listened to instructions and made the most of the opportunities they have got,” said Walpole.”We’ve got a great management set up in Neil, Harvs, Allan and Will and as a group, we all compliment each other.”The atmosphere at the club is really good, it’s a positive environment and that’s rubbing off on the team. “Togetherness and character get you a long way in football and we’ve got that in abundance.”The Ghosts – unbeaten in seven games – follow up their jaunt to the seaside with a trip to Thetford Town in the Norfolk Senior Cup on Tuesday night. “Thetford for me are the favourites to win the league,” said Walpole.”They’ve got the best player in the league in Cameron King and they’ve just missed out on promotion in the last couple of seasons. In cup football though, anything can happen. “Any cup run is great. The Vase brings a bit more national attention and as a club, we’ve had a small bit of success in recent years.”The idea of playing at Wembley is a massive driving factor for the club and we’re looking forward to starting our journey in the competition in the next few weeks.”It’s been a while since the club last made it to the Norfolk Senior Cup final and we know that on our day we are more than good enough to get there. It’s a good competition that we’ll look to go as far as possible in.”Elsewhere this weekend, Downham Town entertain Long Melford, also with a seven-game unbeaten sequence under their belts. On Wednesday night, Downham welcome Anglian Combination side Castle Acre Swifts to the Memorial Field for a Norfolk Senior Cup derby.Heacham will be hoping to end a difficult run of eight games without a win when they take on Stowmarket Town at Station Road.The Magpies are then back in home action on Tuesday night when they play Easton in the Norfolk Senior Cup tie postponed from this week.