Win returns Ghosts to the top

Fakenham Town moved back to the top of the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table this afternoon while Downham Town progressed into the next stage of their FA Vase.The Ghosts brought home a huge three points from their top-of-the-table clash at Walsham-le-Willows with a 2-1 victory while Downham Town secured a hard-fought 1-0 success in the FA Vase on the road at St Neots.But there was no joy for the other West Norfolk representatives in the same competition as Heacham lost 3-0 to Harleston Town and Swaffham Town produced a battling display before going down 3-1 at Premier Division Thetford Town.Striker Jake Watts continued his amazing start to the season in front of goal with another brace for the Ghosts.Fakenham Town have found the back of the net 24 times in all competitions this season and the deadly Watts has been responsible for 15 of them.Fakenham Town boss Alex Walpole said: “It wasn’t our best performance by a long stretch, but the effort, application and attitude of the lads was first class.”You can’t always win pretty, but today we proved we’re more than able to dig in deep when needed. We rode our luck at times in the second half but in all fairness, we haven’t had any all season. We knew it was going to be a tough game. “Walsham-Le-Willows are a good side and they beat us 2-1 last month in a close game. We approached today’s game slightly differently and those changes paid off. “The boys continue to give us everything and we’re proud of them for how they’ve started the season.”We’ve got two home games in a row now with Sheringham on Tuesday and Hadleigh on Saturday. We’ll just keep looking to continue our run of form.”On Tuesday night, the Ghosts are back in league action when they entertain Sheringham at the Daly Group Stadium. In the FA Vase, a Lagshan Sivakumar goal was enough to see Downham Town through in a tough tie against the Saints.After the game, the club took to X to say: “Brilliant win away at St Neots. “A real game of two halves where we were the better side in the opening 45 and a great goal from Sivakumar saw us lead at half-time.”In the second period, we came under a lot of pressure but defended superbly to see us into the next round.” It is a big night for Downham Town on Wednesday when they open their new stand before the derby clash against Ely City at the Memorial Field.Heacham are also back at home action on Tuesday when they host Pinchbeck United in the League Challenge Cup.Swaffham Town are also in midweek action as they travel to Hellesdon and Dussindale Rovers in the First Division North.