Liam Abraham on Framlingham Town's trip to Thurlow Nunn League First Division North leaders Heacham
Liam Abraham is hoping Framlingham Town’s 3-2 defeat to Norwich CBS on Saturday will only be a blip as they look to regain top spot this weekend.
The Castlemen tasted their first home defeat in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North last weekend, as Payton Swatman’s late strike handed visitors CBS all three points at Badingham Road.
A victory would have seen Abraham’s men regain top spot, as leaders Heacham were in League Challenge Cup action, but the defeat means Heacham will hold a two-point advantage at the summit ahead of their visit to Suffolk tomorrow (3pm).
Fram are still in the driving seat in the title race with three games in hand on Heacham but, as Abraham points out, his side are in the midst of a tricky run of games which continues with clashes with Holland and Downham Town next month.
“Hopefully (it’s a blip),” Fram boss Abraham said. “We knew we had a tough run of games coming up.
“Our next game is against Heacham and we’ve got Holland and Downham coming up, so it will be four of the top six teams in five games.
“We knew it was a tough run and we’re also not naive enough to know we’re not going to win every single game we play in.
“We’ll approach the games in the same way we approach every other game. We’ll look to be positive and get on the ball as much as we can and impose ourselves going forward.
“We need to be more resolute at the back. We conceded three goals at home on Saturday which is tough to take as we have been so good defensively this season.
“I don’t expect one team to run away with the game on Saturday.
“Heacham are very good. They’re a strong team and very effective at what they do.”
Saturday’s five-goal thriller started with Max Willett breaking the deadlock with his 12th goal of the season, before goals either side of the break from Lewis Johnson and Jaden Snelling handed CBS the lead.
A Josh Lucraft free kick got Fram back on level terms, but Swatman’s 75th-minute strike for the visitors sealed them all three points.
The Castlemen have been drawn at home to Henley Athletic in the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup quarter-finals.
Elsewhere in the First Division North, Diss Town conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 at Whittlesey Athletic on Saturday.
Jordan Attree had fired the Tangerines in front, before Harry Jenkins and Joe Butterworth both struck late on, while on Tuesday, Diss bowed out of the Ashtons Legal Norfolk Senior Cup after losing 3-0 at higher league Mulbarton Wanderers.
Diss (11th) host Swaffham Town tomorrow (3pm).
Debenham LC were unable to raise a side for last weekend’s scheduled First Division North trip to Haverhill Borough.
The Hornets (18th) are due to host Leiston Reserves tomorrow (3pm).
In the Premier Division, Harleston Town rose to second and moved to within three points of the top after thrashing Whitton United 6-1.
Goals from Nathan Stone (two), Rob Turner, Sam Borrer and substitutes Nathan Russell and Henri Arnold completed an emphatic away win.
Harleston visit Soham Town Rangers tomorrow (3pm).
Walsham-le-Willows were also big winners at the weekend as they thumped Sheringham 5-0 at the Morrish Stadium.
Ryan Twinn (two), Scott Chaplin, Kyran Cooper and Ollie Mckensie-Vince wrapped up a win which moved the Willows up to 12th in the Premier Division.
Walsham head to Fakenham Town tomorrow (3pm).
