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Coombe the FA Vase hero for Fakenham Town




FA Vase

Swaffham Town 2

Fakenham Town 2

(Fakenham won 4-3 on penalties)

Goalkeeper Tom Coombe was the hero as lower-league Fakenham Town knocked out Premier Division strugglers Swaffham Town out of the FA Vase on Saturday.

Coombe saved two of the Pedlars' spot-kicks as the Ghosts triumphed 4-3 on penalties after the game had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Swaffham went into the tie without Sam Garner, who broke his ankle in the away defeat at Ely City in midweek, while Nick Castellan and Billy Smith both missed the game through illness.

Thomas Coombe saves in the shoot out.. (42641342)
Thomas Coombe saves in the shoot out.. (42641342)

The visitors got off to the best possible start after Connor Charlesworth headed home a pinpoint delivery from Shaun Akers.

The balance was restored nine minutes into the second half, a corner from the left, not dealt with by the Ghosts defence and Jack Prentice smashed the ball into the back of the net from five yards.

Fakenham Town players celebrate winning the game on penalties.. (42641345)
Fakenham Town players celebrate winning the game on penalties.. (42641345)

Five minutes later Prentice got on the end of a low delivery with pace from Luke Reed to give Swaffham the lead.

Fakenham replied in the 65th minute leaving a thrilling twenty five minutes where both sides tried their utmost to tip the balance.

Fakenham Town boss Andy Cunningham on the sideline.. (42641310)
Fakenham Town boss Andy Cunningham on the sideline.. (42641310)

Dan Smith saved the first of Fakenham's attempts, but opposite number Coombe stopped Swaffham's fourth and fifth to give them the result.

Tomorow night, Norwich United visit Shoemakers Lane in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

Swaffham Town manager Danny Tindall.. (42641324)
Swaffham Town manager Danny Tindall.. (42641324)

Gorleston 3 Downham Town 2

Two goals from former Linnets favourite Chris Henderson broke Downham Town hearts on Saturday.

Downham Town found themselves just three minutes away from causing a big shock in the Vase before the Greens scored twice late on to progress.

Fans were allowed inside Shoemaker's Lane for the game.. (42641321)
Fans were allowed inside Shoemaker's Lane for the game.. (42641321)

The Thurlow Nunn League First Division North outfit took the lead seven minutes into the second half when Ryan Pearson found the back of the net from 25 yards out.

The hosts equalised in the 77th minute when Henderson coolly slotted past the advancing McAnally into the net.

Jack Prentice challenges for the ball against Fakenham's Matthew Franks.. (42641315)
Jack Prentice challenges for the ball against Fakenham's Matthew Franks.. (42641315)

A minute later, Downham's Simon Bird was sent to the sin bin after having words with the ref.

With ten minutes to go, Downham regained the lead when Joe Jackson got in behind the defence and tucked the ball away nicely.

Fakenham were awarded a free-kick for this challenge on Alby Matthews.. (42641329)
Fakenham were awarded a free-kick for this challenge on Alby Matthews.. (42641329)

Gorleston levelled matters for the second time with three minutes remaining after Steve Taylor crossed from the right for Marcus Dunthorne-McInerney to head home.

The game looked to be heading for penalties until Kyle Ingram picked out Joel Watts on the right in the 89th minute.

Jack Robinson on the attack for Fakenham.. (42641334)
Jack Robinson on the attack for Fakenham.. (42641334)

Watts' cross towards the penalty spot found the head of Henderson who guided his header into the bottom corner, past the despairing dive of Duncan McAnally.

On Wednesday night, Downham welcome local rivals March Town United to the Memorial Field in a First Division North derby.

Dean Miller & (R) Matthew Franks battle for possession.. (42641336)
Dean Miller & (R) Matthew Franks battle for possession.. (42641336)

Elsewhere at the weekend, King's Lynn Town Under-21s suffered a 5-1 defeat at home to Leiston Reserves.



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