Kirkley & Pakefield FC club notesAFTER a 'brilliant' month of March, which has seen Kirkley & Pakefield head the form table with six wins and a defeat from their seven games played, The Royals move into the business end of the season with another seven league games and a cup final ahead of them.

Kirkley & Pakefield FC club notes

AFTER a 'brilliant' month of March, which has seen Kirkley & Pakefield head the form table with six wins and a defeat from their seven games played, The Royals move into the business end of the season with another seven league games and a cup final ahead of them.

Embarking on a busy schedule of six league games in 22 days, April promises to be equally tough for fourth-placed K&P as they look to 'consolidate' in the league ahead of away trips to second placed CRC, third placed Leiston and fifth placed Mildenhall - with a tasty home encounter with top-of-the-table Needham Market sandwiched in-between.

'Or current form has been brilliant, with eight wins, one draw and one defeat from our last 10 league games,' a club spokesman said. With 25 out of 30 points gained, our winning ways continued in the past week with a 5-0 thrashing of Stanway Rovers at Fortress Walmer on Saturday followed by a gritty 1-0 away win at Debenham on Tuesday.'

With three away games in the next eight days, The Royals return to action today (Good Friday) with a trip to the Fens to take on 11th placed Wisbech Town (kick off 2pm).

And quickly back in action, a tasty north Suffolk derby lies in store with a late Easter treat on Monday. 'On Easter Monday it is the local derby at third-placed Leiston,' a club spokesman said. Please try your best to get there as our war cry of 'C'Mon you Royals' does help motivate our brave troops on the field of battle - Leiston are pre-match favourites but we will prevail!'

Off the field, following recent committee discussions details and cost of the club's end-of-season adult presentation night, to be held on Saturday, May 15 in the marquee at Walmer Road will be released next week.

'Last Saturday saw us vote for our fans first team player of the season, and this year's result is truly wide open,' the spokesman added. From the back right through the squad, there are players who would justify our selections, but we can only choose one.'

Equally impressing on the pitch, James Hutchinson's K&P reserves have also had a marvellous March - with five league wins out of five moving them three points clear at the top of Anglian Combination Division One.

In the past week, they've picked up back-to-back wins against one of their closest rivals - third placed Long Stratton - with a 2-0 home win on March 23 followed by a 4-0 away demolition at Long Stratton playing field on Saturday. Goalscorers were Darren Glynn, Adam Boggis, Leon Harewood and an own goal.

The Royals Reserves will continue their quest for the title and promotion to the top flight with a north Suffolk derby at tenth placed Bungay Town tomorrow (April 3).

With four games left, and it all to play for, Hutchinson's side are now three points clear of Norwich St Johns, who have three games in hand, and six points clear of third placed Long Stratton, who have two games in hand but a vastly inferior goal difference.

KIRKLEY'S CRUCIAL RUN-IN

Wisbech Town v Kirkley & Pakefield Friday, April 2

Leiston v Kirkley & Pakefield Monday, April 5

Wivenhoe Town v Kirkley & Pakefield Saturday, April 10

CRC v Kirkley & Pakefield Wednesday, April 14

Kirkley & Pakefield v Needham Market Saturday, April 17

Mildenhall Town v Kirkley & Pakefield Saturday, April 24

Kirkley & Pakefield v Ely City Saturday, May 1.

KIRKLEY RESERVES CRUCIAL RUN-IN

Bungay Town v Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves, April 3, Maltings Meadow (2.30pm KO).

Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves v Poringland Wanderers, April 10, Walmer Road (2.30pm KO).

Reepham Town v Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves, April 17, Stimpsons Piece (2.30pm KO).

Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves v Scole United, April 27, Walmer Road (7.30pm KO).