Ghosts frustrated by weather

OF all the managers left feeling frustrated at Saturday's blanket postponement of Ridgeons League football, Fakenham Town's Neil Jarvis must have been among the most disappointed.

In his first match since taking over as caretaker manager at Fakenham he guided the Ghosts to their first points of the season after a dozen fruitless First Division games.

He was keen to continue the good work at Halstead, only to be thwarted by the weather.

Looking back on the 3-2 home win over fourth-placed Diss, he said: 'They needed that.'

Of the players being clapped off the Clipbush Park pitch by delighted and relieved supporters, Jarvis admitted: 'It all helps, it lifted the lads. They have had some tough times recently.

'But it's only a start. There is no point in winning that game then losing five or six. We will keep working hard on the training ground, bedding in new players.'

Following the demise of King's Lynn, Jarvis persuaded five Linnets to join Fakenham, three from the reserve side and two youth players who had played at reserve team level.

'They added a little experience to the team. I would like, perhaps, another experienced player to help get us out of this hole. But it's difficult when you have not got the budget.'

He was quick to assure the teenage players who have been thrown in at the deep end of Ridgeons football over the last season or so that they would still get their opportunities.

As manager of the club's under-18 side, Jarvis knows he has some quality young players at his disposal. 'But too many have been playing.'

The Ghosts visit Downham on Monday night (December 28), ko 7.45pm.

In a case of mistaken identity, one of the goals in Fakenham's 3-2 win over Diss was given to Matthew Gilchrist when the last touch on the ball came from teenage defender Harry Felton.

Such was the confusion in the goalmouth that even his own father did not realise whose goal it was!