Fakenham Town’s hopes of not being sucked into a relegation dogfight in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division took a turn for the better at the weekend, despite the Ghosts losing 2-1 at home to Stanway Rovers.

With FC Clacton and Swaffham Town both losing, it means that neither side can now catch the Ghosts, who still have three other sides below them in the table.

One of them, Long Melford, are the visitors to Clipbush Park on Saturday in a must win game for the hosts – although relegation isn’t an issue on the mind of the Ghosts’ management.

“We’ve got enough games left to pick up a point or two to ensure safety,” said manager Wayne Anderson. “As soon as survival is assured, we can give some of the younger players a chance to show what they’re capable of, and rest some of those that have been playing week in, week out”, he said.

Supporters had to endure a lacklustre first half on Saturday and it was Stanway who broke the deadlock shortly after the break after a rare mistake from keeper Tommy Rix, who’d been ill for much of the week leading up to the game.

Less than five minutes later it was two, as Stanway forced the ball home from close range. Moments later, there was almost a third as the visitors rattled the crossbar.

There was a brief glimmer of hope with five minutes left when Ashley Jarvis converted a penalty but Stanway took all three points.

Fakenham’s Reserves missed the ideal opportunity to go back to the top of Anglian Combination Division Three after a 1-0 defeat at fellow promotion-chasers Redgate Rangers. With five teams still mathematically capable of winning the title, it’s going to go down to the wire, with just two being promoted.

The next game for The Ghosts is away at Swaffham Reserves on Tuesday.

Fakenham’s Ladies won for the first time under their new management on Sunday, beating Kirkley & Pakefield Ladies 2-1 at Clipbush Park. Sian Sands and Rochelle Woods with the goals.

Fakenham’s Under 18s were due to play their last game of the League season last night, away at Aylsham.