Ben bags brace as Downham claim derby bragging rights
Downham Town manager Paul Neary says he couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season, but insists he won’t be allowing complacency to set in at the Memorial Field.
Neary’s side enjoyed a 3-2 victory over his old side Fakenham Town on Tuesday evening – a result which has left them second in the early Thurlow Nunn First Division North standings.
Jack Brand’s opener and a penalty from Ben Baxter-Hunt had given Downham a two-goal cushion before Harry Exley pulled one back for Fakenham only for Baxter-Hunt to restore Town’s two goal advantage when he made it 3-1.
Josh Youngs’ header reduced the gap back to one but with Downham held off Fakenham’s late charger for a leveller to record a deserved third league win of the campaign.
Downham are without a game this weekend but Neary is confident his side can keep their run going.
Neary said: “We are in great shape and it’s been a really good start to the season.
“Three wins from four, I don’t think you can ask for more when we still have some key players unavailable for selection.
“We wanted to hit the ground running and so far we have done that, now it’s about keeping that up and not taking our eye off the ball.
“We can’t afford to get complacent, we have a great bunch of lads and we are looking forward to The Vase game next weekend after a rest on Saturday.
“I’m not thinking about where we are going to finish, we are taking it game by game and just trying to pick up where we left off last season; so far so good but there is a long way to go.”
Fakenham Town will look to bounce back when they welcome Harleston Town to Clipbush Park on Saturday.
Despite the Magpies being newly-promoted. Andy Cunningham isn’t underestimating the problems they could pose his Ghosts’ side.
Cunningham said: “I’m not going to allow us to underestimate them, they have already turned heads with a couple of their results this season and I want to make sure we are up for the battle and don’t show them too much respect.
“We know they have some experienced players in their squad but we have got nothing to fear and are looking forward to the game.
“If we can recreate the performance against Diss last Saturday that will give us a great opportunity of getting a positive result and putting Tuesday behind us at the first attempt.
“I thought we were unlucky against Downham, we were punished for a couple of errors which sometimes you get away with.
“It’s frustrating because I thought we created enough to get something from the game, but you can’t gift sides goals at this level.”
Elsewhere, Swaffham Town travel to Cornard United while King’s Lynn Town Reserves travel to Ipswich Wanderers.
