Ghosts boss Cunningham reacts to 3-0 Linnets loss

Andy Cunningham believes there were plenty of positives to take from his Fakenham side’s 3-0 defeat to King’s Lynn Town on Wednesday evening.

Both the Linnets and the Ghosts opened their 2018/19 pre-season campaigns.

Goals from Jordan Nelson, Harry Limb and Dylan Edge gave Simon Clark’s hosts a comprehensive victory over Fakenham Town, on a night when the Ghosts struggled to make the most of their chances.

Fakenham boss Cunningham told the Lynn News that he felt his side have made huge strides since returning for pre-season and is looking forward to another tough test against Dereham Town this evening, kick off 7.30pm.

“I was really pleased with the way we played against a very strong King’s Lynn side, I think there are plenty of positives for us to take from the performance despite the defeat,” he said.

“I don’t really think the score line did us justice, we were a bit rusty up front. We created enough chances to have put, at least, two or three away which would have been nothing less than we deserved.

“Our shape and tempo were really good throughout the game and it was really encouraging to see us get the ball down and play football.

“Last year we found ourselves hitting it long too many times and that isn’t going to happen this year; given our physical stature we can’t and won’t resort to route one football.

“I think the performance against Lynn shows just how far we have come and we will continue to make progress and get sharper as we head towards the start of the season.

“Friday will be another tough test for us, Dereham are a strong side but you want to test yourselves against the best sides you can in pre-season.

“It is all about making sure we are as sharp as we can be come the start of the season.”

The Ghosts’ trip to Dereham this evening (Friday) is being played on the 4G pitch at Dereham Neatherd High School, while Lynn welcome Norwich City to The Walks, kick off 7.30pm.

Lynn have made two signings this week as Simon Clark steps up his pre-season plans. As revealed in Tuesday’s Lynn News, Lee Beevers has arrived at the club.

The defender/midfielder joins as player-assistant manager at The Walks, helping both fellow assistant manager Sam Gaughran and boss Clark.

The 34 year-old Doncaster-born player joined Ipswich Town as a full-time scholar in July 2000 and at the end of the 2002-03 season went on loan to Boston United.

The loan resulted in a contract which saw him make 82 appearances, scoring five goals for the Pilgrims and gaining selection for the Welsh Under-21 team. He moved on to Lincoln City in February 2005, playing 175 games up to 2009 for the Imps.

He moved later that year to Colchester United, then Walsall and Mansfield Town where he made 110 appearances between 2012 and May 2015.

A return to Lincoln City (229 starts plus 16 bench appearances) followed but a ruptured patella tendon in October 2016 led to a period of retirement.

Beevers then signed for Gainsborough Trinity in January 2018.

However he left a fortnight later to take on a player/coaching role at Alfreton Town where he played 14 times but was not retained by new manager Billy Heath at the end of the campaign.