Five-star Ghosts maintain four-point cushion at the top

Fakenham Town extended their unbeaten Premier Division run to seven games with a big home win on Saturday while Downham Town picked up a battling point on their travels.The Ghosts looked in no mood to relinquish their four-point cushion at the top of the league standings as Alex Walpole’s side thumped Hadleigh United 5-0 at the Daly Group Stadium.Jake Watts continued his remarkable run in front of goal with a hat-trick, taking his tally for the season to 22 goals in 13 games, while Luke Middleton helped himself to a double.Next up for the Ghosts is a trip to Yarmouth Town on Saturday.Downham had a whole side unavailable for their trip to Harleston Town and their cause wasn’t helped by the sending-off of Dylan Edge, who had given his side the lead going into the interval, ten minutes into the second half.But they dug in with another brilliant defensive display in the second half to bring back a point and stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.After the game, the club took to X to say: “A brilliant point all things considered. Depleted squad and 10 men for 35 minutes after Edge was sent off. Can’t fault the efforts as we stayed strong against a second-half onslaught.” Downham Town return to the Memorial Field on Saturday when they host Long Melford. Heacham dropped to the bottom of the Premier Division table after a 2-0 defeat at Bramtham Athletic where Benjamin Dixon and Kyle Ferguson were on target for the hosts.Paul Hunt’s side are now without a win in nine league and cup games heading into Tuesday night’s home Norfolk Senior Cup game against Easton.In the First Division North, Swaffham Town moved off the bottom of the league standings following a goalless draw at home against Whitton United. The Pedlars have a better goal difference than Whittlesey Athletic, who are now bottom of the league standings.Swaffham welcome Leiston U23s to the Uncle Luke’s Stadium on Saturday.