Key week of games for Ghosts

Fakenham Town manager Alex Walpole has played down the importance of the next week as his side look to maintain their Thurlow Nunn Premier Division title challenge.The seventh-placed Ghosts face fixtures against three of the division’s top sides in the next week, culminating in the visit of league leaders Downham Town to the Daly Group Stadium on Saturday week (March 8).On Saturday, they begin a key seven days with a trip to Brantham Athletic before hosting Mulbarton Wanderers under the lights on Tuesday night.Walpole said: “Every game is important, but when you look at the table and the run that the teams around us have, it adds an extra layer of importance to them.”In terms of it being the biggest week of the season, it’s hard to tell. There’s still a lot of games to play and so much can change in that time.”Although the Ghosts suffered a narrow defeat in their last outing at Kirkley, they have already displayed their credentials with big wins against title protagonists Downham and Thetford Town this campaign.The Fakenham boss feels the only pressure on his young side is the expectations his players put on themselves. “The pressure comes from ourselves,” he admitted. “We fully believe in this squad of players and we’ve had conversations about thriving under the pressure.”We enjoy being a team that people are desperate to beat. This group have done well so far, and I know they want to finish the job off.”The Ghosts have been active in the transfer market this week with former King’s Lynn Town, Boston United and Heacham defender Tyler Knowles arriving at the club along with Ru McIntyre from Sheringham. Walpole said: “Tyler brings energy, physicality, but also some great experience despite only being 21-years-old.”We’re pleased to get him in and look forward to him contributing to our aims for the rest of the season. “Most importantly, Tyler is a great lad. I’ve known him since my days as King’s Lynn Reserves player/coach and it’s good to have the opportunity to work with him again.”We’ve also added Ru McIntyre from Sheringham to the squad. Ru is currently studying at Gresham’s and is a direct and pacey attacking player.” The club have also been given a huge boost on the injury front with leading scorer Jake Watts edging closer to a return after being sidelined with a hamstring problem since the League Challenge Cup defeat to Ely City.”Wattsy will be back in the squad this weekend and we’ll manage him accordingly,” said Walpole.