On a sunny but cold New Year’s Day Monday afternoon we saw Kirkley & Pakefield FC 1stteam travel to Mulberry Park to play Mulbarton Wanderers in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division match. The ‘Royals’ were in the unusual position of being able to field the same starting eleven that had beaten Norwich United 3-2 on Boxing Day, they once again went behind to an early 6th minute goal when Peter Lambert scored from the penalty spot after the ball had hit the hand of Jay Barbor. The ‘Royals fought back with a shot on 16 minutes by Miguel Lopez being put out for a corner, on 19 minutes from a corner a Kieren Underdown header was cleared off the line then George Barber hammered in the equaliser from 20 yards through a crowded penalty area. The home team were back in the lead three minutes later when Ben Thompson fired in from close range, on 34 minutes Lambert broke through and missed a glorious chance to extent the lead by putting his shot wide, he then missed again before a brilliant save by away keeper Alex Blowers from a shot by winger Panashe Mundawarara, Blowers made a further good save from a shot close in from Lambert. Despite being under heavy pressure the ‘Royals’ fought back on 42 minutes with a good run and cross by Ben George being brilliantly volleyed home with a shot above the keeper by Cameron Russell to level the scores at half-time. The second half was scrappy early on, then Connor Swan had his shot kick away off the line by the keeper, the ‘Royals’ made a triple substitution then Blowers saved on the line. On 77 minutes end to end play saw sub Danny Conroy shoot just wide, Blowers saved at the other end then Jay Barbor went close, on 86 minutes a good ‘Royals’ move saw Macauley Holt have a good effort kept out by the keeper’s legs. With no further goals in the second half the eventful but entertaining match saw a hard earned point for the ‘Royals’.

Kirkley & Pakefield Team: A.Blowers, B.George A.Meeken, K.Hutchings (M.Kirkby 75mins), K.Underdown, H.Creamer, J.Barbor, M.Lopez, C.Russell (D.Conroy 70mins), C.Swan (M.Holt 70mins), G.Barber. Unused Subs: D.Munro, J.Herbert.
Kirkley & Pakefield FC 1st team next match is this coming Saturday 7thJanuary at Walmer Road 3.00 ko. The 6th placed ‘Reserves’ play top of the table Gorleston Reserves away at FDC Flegg 1.30 ko. K&PFC U23s are at home on the Lauren Lou 3G Arena against top of the table Loddon United FC Reserves 1.30 ko.