KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD 1 SHERINGHAM 2

There were good playing conditions and sunshine at Walmer Road last Saturday for this Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division clash.

Before kick off there was the official switch-on of the new £26,000 Kirkley & Pakefield FC LED floodlights by club president and Waveney MP Peter Aldous.

The Royals also welcomed new signing in former player Matthew Brown from Norwich United as both a new player and coach.

He started on the substitutes bench for this game against last season’s Division 1 North League champions Sheringham.

After a quiet start, the Royals sprung to life with three good efforts on 30 minutes that was firstly headed off the line before former K&P keeper Denham Oliver made two good saves.

On 40 minutes Connor Swan struck gold with a well taken header to put the home team 1-0 up at half time.

The Shannocks struck a big blow just five minutes into the second half when Owen Lane fired in the equaliser.

Blowers made a good save, before a fine run down the right on 65 minutes by Ryan Haylett ended with shot past the stranded keeper to put Sheringham 2-1 ahead.

The Royals immediately made subs with Holt and Goldspink coming on for Russell and Swan, before Kirkby and Brown replaced Barbor and Barber 10 minutes later.

With his first touch Matty Brown almost scored, but his shot went just over.

On 88 minutes Holt should have scored but the advancing keeper cleared it to Goldspink who set up Lopez with a glorious chance on the edge of the six yard box but his effort hit the bottom of the post.

With the Royals all out attacking, home keeper Blowers was coming up for corners.

But on one corner in the 95th minute the ball was cleared upfield and as Sheringham went for the undefended goal, Blowers dived in with a challenge that saw him given the red card.

Outfielder Ben George took over in goal and the final few minutes saw the 10 men continue to attack but the equaliser eluded them.

K&P: A Blowers, A Meeken, H Creamer, B George, K Underdown, L Flower, J Barbor (M Kirkby 75mins), M Lopez, C Russell (M Holt 65mins), C Swan (K Goldspink 65mins), G Barber (M Brown 75mins).

This Saturday K&P's first team travel to play Brantham Athletic, who are just two points below the Royals in a 3pm ko.

Next Tuesday evening's rearranged League Challenge Cup fourth round match against Mulbarton Wanderers has now been postponed, as Mulbarton are now in Norfolk Senior Cup action on that night.

The cup match will now be played at Walmer Road on Tuesday, February 28, 7.45pm.

The Reserves match against Norwich United U21s was called off as Plantation Park, Blofield was deemed unplayable.

This Saturday they are on Walmer Road entertaining Holt United, 2pm ko.

On the 3G Arena K&PFC U23s beat Waveney FC A 1-0.

This Saturday they are away at Spexhall Huntsman & Hounds, 2pm ko.

Next Thursday, February 2 the top of the table AFC Royals U18s play Waveney at the Crown Meadow, with K&PFC U18s at Walmer Road the same evening against Norwich United, 7.45pm ko.