Win sends Ghosts four points clear at the top

Fakenham Town moved four points clear at the top of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division last night with a midweek derby win over Sheringham at the Daly Group Stadium.Jake Watts and Luke Middleton scored twice despite the Ghosts not being at their best against the Shannocks.Manager Alex Walpole said: “It could have been a better performance. We were sloppy in possession and we made too many mistakes defensively, which is frustrating as in recent weeks, we have looked really solid out of possession.”We came out a lot better in the second half and just had too much quality for Sheringham.”Wattsy and Midz upfront were superb and deservedly got two goals each. We know that on Saturday against Hadleigh, we will have to raise it, or it could be a different outcome.”Watts has now scored 17 times in 11 games and Walpole admitted the striker is loving life with the league leaders.”Wattsy is going through a real purple patch right now, and it’s no less than he deserves,” said Walpole. “He’s reaping the benefits of a close-knit bunch who are willing to go above and beyond for each other. He’s at a club that has some real meaning to him as well. “His two boys play at the club and he lives a stone’s throw from the ground, he’s loved by everyone here both on and off the pitch.”Before the game, Fakenham held a minute’s silence in memory of former manager Ian ‘Jigger Jones’ who guided the Ghosts to their highest-ever finishing position in 1998/99 when they finished runners-up in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division.Hadleigh United are the visitors to the Daly Group Stadium at the weekend. Elsewhere, the rub of the green continues to go against Heacham who were knocked out of the League Challenge Cup by Division One North Pinchbeck United 7-6 on penalties.Paul Hunt’s young side fought back from two goals down to take the tie to spot-kicks with Andy Willmott and Colby Wood registering for the Magpies.On Saturday, Heacham make the trip to Brantham Athletic.Tonight sees Downham Town host second-placed Ely City in a Premier Division derby clash at the Memorial Field while Swaffham Town travel to Hellesdon and Dussindale Rovers in the First Division North.