Thurlow Nunn Premier: Thetford Town 3-0 Lakenheath

21st April 2025

Thetford Town vs Lakenheath @ Mundford Road - Thetford

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)

15:00 KO

£8 entry

Attendance - 310

Half-time score: Thetford Town 0-0 Lakenheath

Goals:

Thetford Town: Gilchrist - 51'

Thetford Town: King - 56'

Thetford Town: H. Lott - 84'

Final Score: Thetford Town 3-0 Lakenheath

Today was sadly Thetford Town's last game of the season, and it does feel a bit early to me, but this is the first time in a while we have not had play-offs to come, or a cup final. Following a disappointing end to the season they got back to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-1 win away at Hadleigh United with a Diggens double, and to avoid slipping back into 10th place it was crucial to back that result up with another victory. Visitors were a local side in Lakenheath, with several ex-Thetford Town players on show, with the Rocha brothers, the Bailey brothers and Matt Hayden to name a few. Lakenheath have had a disappointing season themselves, occupying the last spot above the relegation zone, but with the familiarity between the clubs I was looking forward to a decent game to see off the season.

As ever I picked up a programme on the way into this fantastic ground, for the final one it had left-footed winger Jordan Buttle on the front cover.

It was a grey yet mild afternoon, and in front of a bumper crowd, which was fantastic to see. Before kick-off the U-13s team proudly stood up to celebrate them winning the league, some future first team players in there for sure, great to see. After that, Thetford Town lined-up in claret and blue with visitors Lakenheath in their home dark green kits.

KEY MOMENTS

TT = Thetford Town

LH = Lakenheath

5' - TT - Buttle with a strong run down the left flank, he steps into the box and shoots low at the near post, but keeper Sutton is equal to it.

8' - TT - Diggens pressurises ex-Thetford Town stalwart Luke Bailey, and forces him into a mistake to win the ball, he hits the ball on the bounce, his effort cleanly struck but straight at Sutton.

13' - TT - Elliot Smith battles hard in the middle and manages to break through the back-line, he looks to be clean through on goal but is scythed down by the Lakenheath captain Ryan Yallop, who only receives a yellow.

27' - TT - Thetford with a strong attack down the rights culminates in a great ball crossed into the box from Diggens, Jake Mann with a speedy run into the box, he beats keeper Sutton to the ball but his headed effort skims just over the bar, unlucky!

29' - TT - Diggens is threaded in down the left, he shoots low to the near-post, Sutton is down to get something on the ball, but it goes past him and is rolling in until it is cleared off the line, Thetford getting closer to scoring.

37' - LH - Lakenheath with their first decent chance of the game, Gelson de Rocha with a pacey run down the right, he whips a brilliant cross into the middle, Carlos (Rudy) da Rocha is on the end of it, it looks a certain goal but Dickerson is across like a lightning bolt to make a phenomenal save, great goalkeeping!

40' - TT - Short corner is taken quickly by King into Gilchrist, he sprints into the box and drills the ball toward the bottom corner, but Sutton with yet another fine stop.

51' - TT - GOAL (1-0) - King with a trademark ball to thread Gilchrist in, 1-on-1 with the keeper he picks his spot and slots the ball into the bottom left corner to deservedly break the deadlock.

56' - TT - GOAL (2-0) - King hounded on the edge of the box, effectively bear hugged to prevent him from shooting, wins the free-kick. He steps up and deftly curls the ball into the inside of the net, sheer class from the Thetford Town talisman.

71' - TT - King lofts the ball high into the air, substitute Harvey Lott wins his header and King sprints onto the end of it, he drives into the box but Sutton is out fast and the effort is drawn just wide of the far-post. During this play, King and keeper Sutton collide, with Sutton having to be carried off injured, centre-back Dean Grogan donning the keepers shirt and gloves for the remainder of the game.

84' - TT - GOAL (3-0) - Pressure from Thetford down the left-flank, substitute Laker with a powerful pinpoint cross into the box, at the near-post Harvey Lott gets his head on the ball to flick it over Grogan and into the net, fantastic finish!

92' - TT - King threads in substitute Money, he shoots past Grogan and it looks to be rolling in, but it hits the post and deflects out.

97' - TT - Thetford pushing forwards, including captain Sam Bond, he intercepts a loose ball and powers in a screamer of a volley from 25yrds out which is narrowly wide, almost a worldie from the Thetford Town captain.

A great way to end the season with a comfortable win and a brilliant performance to a man, back to the Thetford Town we all know and love, and in doing so they sealed an 8th place finish in the league. It was great seeing Gilchrist and King back on the score-sheet, and Harvey Lott with a fine finish for the 3rd. Whilst ultimately the season has fallen short of what looked to be another promotion charge, the towns folk are clearly behind the club with over 300 present for this final game of the 24/25 season. With the upgraded facilities and phenomenal support, Thetford Town are undoubtedly a club on the up and in a great state of health, for whatever reason it all fell away in the last couple of months on the pitch sadly. I for one am already excited for the 25/26 season, I think with a few additions to the squad, not losing too many players and with a good rest over the Summer we will be competitive again next season. Big shout out to John Taylor who has now retired, he's given so much to the club and under his guidance with Matt Morton we have become a force in the league, and were so unfortunate to have not been promoted, so many 'ifs and buts' to ponder on but we've been treated to some incredible football. Here's to a good Summer for Matt and the team, then onto the pre-season friendlies, see you all there, UP THE TOWN!!!

Line-Ups:

THETFORD TOWN: Ryan Dickerson, Sam Bond (C), Jaydyn Lott, Elliot Smith, Dylan Grove, Jake Mann, Marley Reynolds, Cameron King, Jordan Buttle, Dan Gilchrist, George Diggens. SUBS: Josh Wells, Kieran Money, Callum Olpin, Adam Laker, Harvey Lott.

LAKENHEATH: Harry Sutton, Luke Bailey, Ray Conroy, Ryan Yallop (C), Dean Grogan, Tom Debenham, Theo Carter, Ethan Flack, Matt Hayden, Carlos da Rocha, Gelson de Rocha. SUBS: Reuben Chinnery, Harvey Gathercole, Jamie Underwood, Finley Edwards, Lewis Morley.