For a change we had good playing conditions and a glorious bright sunny afternoon at Walmer Road last Saturday to oversee the official switch on before the match of the new £26,000 Kirkley & Pakefield FC LED Floodlights by Club President Mr Peter Aldous MP.

The ‘Royals’ started with a welcome back to a new signing in former player Matthew Brown from Norwich United as both a new player and coach. Matt starting on the substitute’s bench for match against last season’s Division 1 North League Champions Sheringham. The match saw a quite start to the first half with neither side taking the upper hand, on the half hour the ‘Royals’ sprung to life with three good efforts on goal that were firstly headed off the goal line by the centre back then former ‘Royals’ keeper young Denham Oliver made two good saves, but on 40minutes Connor Swan struck gold with a well taken header to put the home team 1-0 up going into half time. The ‘Shannocks’ struck a big blow after just 5minutes of the second period when Owen Lane fired in the equalizer, on 57minutes Blowers in the home goal was called into action to make a good save, then we saw a fine run down the right on 65minutes by Ryan Haylett who cut in and shot past the stranded keeper to put Sheringham into a 2-1 lead. The ‘Royals’ immediately made subs with Holt and Goldspink coming on for Russell and Swan, ten minutes later saw two more home subs with Kirkby and Brown replacing Barbor and Barber with his first touch Matty Brown almost scored his shot going just over the bar, on 88minutes 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’ now on all out attacking home keeper Blowers was coming up for corners but on one corner in the 95th minute the ball was cleared up field the away defence went for the undefended goal but Blowers dived in with a challenge that saw him given the red card. Outfield player Ben George took over in goal, the final few minutes saw the ten men continue to attack but the equaliser eluded them. Mid-table Sheringham marched home with a hard fought 2-1 win.

Kirkley & Pakefield FC team: 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 Kirkley & Pakefield FC 1st team travel to play Brantham Athletic who on lying just two points below the ‘Royals’ in a 3.00 ko. Next Tuesday evening at Walmer Road sees the ‘Royals’ rearranged postponed T/N League Challenge Cup 4th Round match against Mulbarton Wanderers 7.45 ko. Two further 1st team postponed league matches have now been rearranged as follows: Harleston away to be played on Tuesday 7th March 7.45, Newmarket Town at Walmer Road on Tuesday 21st March 7.45.

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 in a 2.00 ko.

On the 3G Arena K&PFC U23s beat Waveney FC ‘A’ 1-0. This Saturday they are away at Spexhall Huntsman & Hounds 2.00 ko.

Next Thursday (2ndFeb.) 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 both have a 7.45 ko.