Thurlow Nunn Premier: Thetford Town 2-0 Kirkley & Pakefield

11th April 2026

Thetford Town vs Kirkley & Pakefield @ The Lomax Spiral Systems Stadium - Thetford

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)

15:00 KO

£8 entry

Attendance - 270

Half-time score: Thetford Town 1-0 Kirkley & Pakefield

Goals:

Thetford Town: King - 45'+1'

Thetford Town: H. Lott - 57'

Final Score: Thetford Town 2-0 Kirkley & Pakefield

Today was a huge game for Thetford Town and all associated with the club, a game to get pumped for due to the magnitude of it, but also twinged with a bittersweet note as this is the final home game of the season. It has been a brilliant season down at The Lomax Spiral Systems Stadium, the facilities are better than ever, the pitch puts most in the division to shame, the crowds are very much on the up, hitting at least 200, and even breaking past the 300 mark on several occasions and it marks the formation of the TTFC Ultras bringing great atmosphere to the games. So I'm gutted this is the last game this season, but was hoping the lads put on a show, with a win taking things to the last day of the season with a very tasty game away at rivals Ely City! Opponents Kirkley & Pakefield would be wanting to spoil the party, like they nearly did last week at Great Yarmouth Town taking an early 2-0 lead, to eventually lose 3-2 to an impressive comeback 3-2, but clear signs they were not going to be easy pickings that was for sure.

Today's final programme of the season, with Jaydyn Lott on the front-cover, shame he has had to face-up to another injury this season as he is a fine centre-back indeed.

Today's game was played out under the sun, but there was a chilly wind in the air. There was another big crowd smashing through the 250 barrier again, the home support has been superb this season. Thetford Town were in their famous claret & blue, possibly for the final time this season as they colour-clash with Ely City, with Kirkley & Pakefield in their home blue kits.

KEY MOMENTS

TT = Thetford Town

KP = Kirkley & Pakefield

27' - TT - A neat ball over the top from captain Sam Bond plays Harvey Lott in down the right, the latter beating the offside trap, on the bounce and from a narrow angle he fires in but his effort flies over the bar.

28' - TT - A defensive header through the middle bounces kindly for Ebanks-Blake, he takes a touch and from the edge of the box unleashes a howitzer of a strike, the ball skimming narrowly over the bar.

45'+1' - TT - GOAL (1-0) - An excellent run from Ebanks-Blake through the middle using all his strength and skill, he is through on goal, draws the keeper out and spots King open on his left so squares to him, and King expertly sweeps the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, and Thetford bag the opener just before the break! A spark of brilliance from Antwan for that one.

57' - TT - GOAL (2-0) - Thetford double their lead, Grove tackles a Kirkley defender and wins the ball, he drives into the box from the right, and unselfishly threads the ball towards the far-post where Harvey Lott is bursting in to smash home from close range.

64' - KP - The visitors with their best chance of the game, they attack down the left, get to the by-line and are able to pull the ball back, a snap strike from Phipps forces Pride to make a fine reaction save at his near-post.

67' - TT - Jeorgy Batch stops a Kirkley attack and blitzes up the left flank, he crosses the ball into the far-post to find Grove, he drops the ball down to Billy Batch who snaps in a strike, it is saved but spins out to Harvey Lott in-front of the goal, but somehow he turns the ball over the bar. Luckily with Thetford 2-0 up and with Harvey having a fine record in-front of goal this season, we can let him have that one.

A rather lacklustre game lacking a bit of energy, with Kirkley & Pakefield sitting deep for long periods, but Thetford Town done what was asked of them and secured all three-points, controlling the game way bar a few half-chances for the visitors at the end of the game. This result takes things to the final game of the season. It now looks like the first three play-off places are settled between Haverhill Rovers, Soham Town Rangers and Ely City, with the order not yet fixed, with Fakenham Town, Thetford Town and Great Yarmouth Town battling it out for that final spot. This makes next weeks away game at Ely City very important, and whilst it does depend on other results with Thetford currently 1-point outside the play-offs, a win will give us a good chance indeed. Here's to hoping for a huge Thetford Town turnout in The Fens, one of the few grounds in this league that is relatively simple to get to by train, so we can get behind the team and push them over the line, UP THE TOWN!!!

Line-Ups:

THETFORD TOWN: Elliot Pride, Adam Laker, Sam Bond (C), Josh Wells, Billy Batch, Jeorgy Batch, Cameron King, Callum Olpin, Dylan Grove, Antwan Ebanks-Blake, Harvey Lott. SUBS: George Diggens, Jake Mann, Ryan Haylett, Theo Piggott, Daniel Rayner.

KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD: Alex Blowers, Blyth Hammonds, Callum Bell, Graham Hinton, Jack Herbert, Kieran Wing, Bailey Phipps, Jack Hutchinson, Cameron Russell (C), Daniel Munro, Macaulay Holt. SUBS: Ben George, Nathan Russell, Louis Tillett.