(Long Melford won 4-3 on penalties)
On Wednesday evening a very youthful Kirkley & Pakefield squad made the long trek to Long Melford for a 2ndround match in the Suffolk Premier Cup. The ‘Royals’ squad contained 10players who play in the Under18s team, seven actually started the game together with three 1st teamers Jack Herbert, Jordan Haverson and Kieren Underdown the eleventh player being former manager Mark Willis to make it probably the youngest first team Kirkley & Pakefield have ever fielded with an average age of about 20. Their opponents fielded the same team that played Wroxham the previous Saturday.
The ‘Royals’ went the closest through Limburn on 10 minutes after being put through by Haverson, they restricted the home team to their first real chance on 25 minutes when ‘Royals’ young keeper Denham Oliver made a fine save to punch clear, this was followed by a string of fine saves and good handling by the keeper. The home team should have taken the lead in the 39th minute when their No. 11 put a header over with the goal at his mercy. The last attacks of the half saw keeper Oliver make a fine double save to keep the game goalless at half-time. On 53 minutes a fine through ball from Oliver Limburn set up make shift centre forward Jack Herbert to fire home brilliantly and put the young ‘Royals’ a goal up. On 61 minutes Ryan Howes put a curling shot just wide of the post, on 67 minutes keeper Oliver was back in action with first a brilliant save pushing the ball over the bar then goal then two clearances with the away goal living a charmed life. The ‘Royals’ attacked on the 75th minute with the home keeper pulling off a double save, keeper Oliver’s brilliance continued but on 85 minutes the home team were awarded a hotly contested penalty, Will Wingfield stepped up to score although the keeper managed to get a hand to the ball. On 87 minutes the ‘Royals’ were reduced to ten men after Jack Coleman was shown a second yellow card. With the scores level at 90 minutes penalty kicks were taken with the home team converting 4 to the ‘Royals’ 3.
This was truly an excellent performance from the very young inexperienced team and no shame to be defeated on penalties. Former manager Mark Willis put in a fine performance in mid-field for 80 minutes despite one crushing tackle that saw him in agony receiving lengthy treatment, but the undoubted ‘man of the match’ was ‘Royals’ keeper Denham Oliver making his senior debut, for his outstanding evenings work with many first class saves and his competent handling of the ball. Although not coming out winners this was a night for the club and players to be proud of, well done to player manager Jack Herbert in trusting in his young men.

K&PFC Team: D.Oliver, J.Coleman, A.Cox, B.Honeywood, J.Herbert, K.Underdown, O.Limburn, M.Willis (H.Burgess 80mins, L.Tillett, J.Haverson. R.Howes (B.Revell 87mins). Unused Sub: M.Wright.