Kirkley & Pakefield FC moved back up to third in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division after three games in less than a week.

Long Melford 1 Kirkley & Pakefield 1 (Long Melford won 4-3 on penalties)

A long trek to Long Melford for a second round match in the Suffolk Premier Cup last Wednesday evening saw a very youthful squad take to the pitch.

The Royals squad contained 10 players who play in the U18 team. Seven actually started the game together with three first teamers – Jack Herbert, Jordan Haverson and Kieren Underdown – as the 11th player was former manager Mark Willis in what was probably the youngest first team Kirkley & Pakefield have ever fielded.

Their opponents fielded the same team that played Wroxham the previous Saturday.

The Royals went close through Limburn on 10 minutes and restricted the home team to their first real chance on 25 minutes when K&P’s young keeper Denham Oliver made a fine save.

This was followed by a string of fine saves and good handling by the keeper.

The home team should have taken the lead in the 39th minute when their winger put a header over. Oliver made a fine double save to keep the game goalless at half time.

On 53 minutes a fine through ball from Limburn set up makeshift centre forward Jack Herbert to fire home brilliantly. Ryan Howes curled a shot just wide before keeper Oliver was back in action with a brilliant save pushing the ball over the bar.

On 85 minutes the home team were awarded a hotly contested penalty as Wingfield stepped up to score. K&P were reduced to 10 men after Jack Coleman was shown a second yellow card.

With the scores level at 90 minutes penalty kicks were taken and the home team triumphed 4-3.

This was an excellent performance from the very young inexperienced team, and there was no shame to be defeated on penalties. The undoubted man of the match was keeper Denham Oliver – making his senior debut – for his outstanding evening’s work. Although not coming out winners this was a night for the club and players to be proud of.

K&P: D Oliver, J Coleman, A Cox, B Honeywood, J Herbert, K Underdown, O Limburn, M Willis (H Burgess), L Tillett, J Haverson. R Howes (B Revell). Unused: M Wright.

Newmarket Town 4 Kirkley & Pakefield 1

For their league trip to play Newmarket Town last Saturday, K&P had Jordan Smith back in goal but Lewis Flower was serving the last match of his suspension.

After only three minutes Cox hit the bar from a Royals corner, but on five minutes the home team took the lead through Patterson from close range.

Haylock was brought down just outside the area on 16 minutes and Anthony Cox stepped up and hit a wonderful free kick into the net to equalise.

Despite most of the attacking coming from the home team the scores remained level until the interval thanks to some first class saves by Royals keeper Jordan Smith.

The keeper continued with some fine saves in the second half but on 53 minutes the Jockeys went ahead through a header by Carver. On 63 minutes Ross Patterson made it three.

He then completed his hat trick on 79 minutes and this 4-1 defeat was probably the poorest Royals display of the season.

Kirkley & Pakefield 4, Walsham Le Willows 3

After days of continuous rain Tuesday evening saw a perfect Walmer Road pitch for the league match between K&P and Walsham Le Willows produce an excellent evening’s football.

The Royals welcomed Lewis Flower back after a three match suspension with player/manager Jack Herbert moving up front to lead the attack.

K&P took the lead on 14 minutes with a goal credited to Danny Conroy.

The visitors equalised through Matt Collins on 24 minutes, then home keeper Jordan Smith produced an excellent save to deny the away team.

The home team were back in the lead on 40 minutes with a fine low drive from 25 yards by Jordan Haverson.

Just before the interval keeper Smith made another great one handed save from a 20 yarder from Ryan Clark then saved well low down.

On 53 minutes a long throw from Kyle Haylock found Conroy who headed over from close range. Two minutes later the visitors drew level when Jamie Smith slotted home.

Keeper Smith was constantly kept under pressure and on 65 minutes he parried a 30 yard shot from full back Sam Peters out for a corner, from this corner Keiran Twinn fired in to put Walsham into a 3-2 lead.

A good Conroy effort was deflected over the bar, then Conroy was involved in more good play to set up Cameron Russell for a low shot to bring the scores level.

On 76 minutes Conroy once again produced good work to allow Kyle Haylock to brilliantly fire in from more than 20 yards out to put the Royals 4-3 ahead.

Clark almost brought the visitors level but for another top class save from the home keeper.

The home team defended the final minutes stoutly, they nearly increased their lead in the final minute but for Jack Herbert running out of legs going for goal when clear.

The three points earned moved the Royals back up to third in the league.

K&P: Smith, C Bell, A Cox, K Underdown, J Herbert, L Flower, K Haylock, B George, D Conroy (I Dawson), J Haverson, C Russell. Unused subs: L Tillett, C Brooks, E Reynolds.

On Saturday K&P are back in at Walmer Road when the visitors are Long Melford for a league match, 3PM ko.

Last Saturday saw the Reserves lose 5-0 at Sprowston Athletic. On Saturday they play away against Stalham Town 2pm ko.

In the Thurlow Nunn U18s Youth League last Thursday evening K&P beat local rivals Waveney 9-0 with Brad Revell scoring five first half goals.

The B team beat Norton Athletic Res 5-0 in the league.

The K&PFC U23s were in action in the Suffolk Junior Cup 1st Round in an away match at Woolverstone United and progressed into the next round with a 2-1 win.

This Saturday sees the local club ‘derby’ with the ‘U23s’ entertaining the ‘B’ team, 2pm ko.

Colin Smith