Kirkley and Pakefield FC remain top of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division after a weekend win was followed by a first league defeat in midweek.

The Royals maintained their league winning start last Saturday with a hard fought 2-0 win away at bottom club Swaffham Town.

K&P made one change in defence with Callum Bell back in for Thomas Harmer, illness prevented player-manager Jack Herbert from making the trip.

With hard battles in midfield neither side had many early goalscoring opportunities.

But in the 29th minute Haylock’s corner was only cleared to Ben George, who neatly found Cameron Russell to fire home well from inside the area to give the Royals the lead.

Conroy was unlucky with a good effort on 34 minutes and although not having much to do, keeper Smith was handling the ball well.

In the 58th minute Haylock was brought down on the right hand side and his free kick was headed on for Ben George to convert from close range.

On 88 minutes the home team had full back Kieran Shipp red carded for a chest high tackle on Haylock.

Louis Tillett came on for Goldspink in the final minute to see out another good team performance that secured four successive wins.

K&P: J Smith, C Bell, A Meeken, B George, K Underdown, L Flower, K Haylock, C Russell, D Conroy, J Haverson, K Goldspink (L Tillett, 89). Subs unused: T Harmer, A Cox, C Brooks, E Reynolds.

On Tuesday evening K&P made the short distance to Plantation Park, Blofield to face Norwich United in a league match.

With the Royals selecting an unchanged starting line-up, they pressed from the start and had a good opening 10 minute spell.

The home team hit the bar in the 12th minute before keeper Smith saved well from another effort.

On 15 minutes a reckless tackle by Royals captain Lewis Flower near the halfway line saw him sent off.

The ten men battled and defended well with Haylock a menace to the United defence.

At the interval Ian Dawson replaced the injured Jordan Haverson.

The Royals held out until 56 minutes when Jack Hurrell shot home from close range to make it 1-0.

On 65 minutes Kyle Haylock was brought down in the area, with the resultant penalty comfortably converted by Cameron Russell.

The Planters regained the lead in the 83rd minute when MacGee fired home following a corner.

Conroy, having another good match, had a 20-yard shot just tipped over before Ben George headed just over.

In the final minutes Cameron Russell was sent to the sin bin, and in the end the gallant ten men Royals lost their first league points of the season but remained top, in a match marred by some debateable decisions by the match officials.

This Saturday, K&P are at home on Walmer Road with a quick return match against Stanway Rovers, 3pm kick off.

Next Tuesday, September 29, sees K&P on another away trip to play Wroxham at Trafford Park, 7.45pm kick off.

The draw for the Suffolk County FA Premier Cup second round sees the Royals travel to play at Long Melford on Wednesday, October 7, 7.45pm kick off.

In the Suffolk County Senior Cup the Reserves have a home match against Bungay Town, date to be confirmed.

This coming Saturday the Reserves play at East Harling, 2.30pm kick off.

After a winning first start to their Thurlow Nunn U18s League season, last Thursday evening saw Kirkley & Pakefield Under 18s make hard work in beating Bungay Town 2-1 with Louis Tillet opening the scoring with a well taken goal.

Jake Spooner made it 2-0 just after half time. Bungay reduced the arrears with 15 minutes to go.

Next Thursday, October 1 the U18s are at Emerald Park, Gorleston 7.45pm kick off.

Last Saturday saw the start of the Lowestoft & District League Division 1 with K&PFC U23s beating Loddon United Reserves 5-2 and the ‘B’ team losing 2-1 away at Spexhall Huntsman & Hounds.

This Saturday the ‘U23s’ are away against Mutford & Wrentham Reserves, with the ‘B’ team at home on the 3G Arena against Beccles Caxton Reserves, 2pm kick off for both matches.

Colin Smith