RIDGEONS LEAGUE: Who would have thought after two league games into the season Thetford would find themselves second in the league with the best goals for column and be unlucky to lose 1-0 against arguably the Ridgeon Leagues best side Needham Market in the FA Cup? Although it would have been nice to get to Wembley, a respectable league finish is the club's priority this season.

Who would have thought after two league games into the season Thetford would find themselves second in the league with the best goals for column and be unlucky to lose 1-0 against arguably the Ridgeon Leagues best side Needham Market in the FA Cup?

Although it would have been nice to get to Wembley, a respectable league finish is the club's priority this season.

With key players Simon Mann unavailable, Sam Bryant on holiday, Lee Brewer and Kam Senior injured, Thetford had the squad well stretched against Needham, bringing in Ryan Haynes wide left, Simon Jackson filled in at full back and Rocky Holt started wide right.

Despite these changes Thetford still did brilliant and were really unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to the top-flight side.

The club received a lot of praise after the match, with supporters congratulating Thetford on such a good performance and already it is evident to see a vast improvement on last season.

“I really respect what Danny Laws has done at Needham and they are the club I would like to emulate as we evolve over the next three seasons.” manager Mick Money said after the game.

“It's all about doing the little things that all add up to help us run smoothly and efficiently.

“Let me give you an example, when the girls went in the changing rooms just before half-time with the drinks they remarked on how Needham had all their clothes on hangers and their bags were neatly put on the seats under their pegs.

“Then, when they came into our changing rooms our players clothes and bags were left all over the floor, a little thing but just shows you the difference in our professionalism to theirs.”

Thetford have already lost three players this season, Pat Armes and Stu Boddy who have gone to play with ex-manager Simon Brooks at Thetford Athletic and Jason Cole has also left the club.

Thetford need a strong squad to compete and that means that some players are going to have to play in the reserves games to keep match fit.

And if the club ends up with a reserve side with no potential first team players they may as well pull them out of the league and just run an U18s side.

To stem this flow of players leaving John Dennis has agreed to help run the reserves with Kenny Jordan as coach.

Ex-Thetford keeper Pete Terry has also come on board as goalkeeper coach.

Thetford are playing some really good football at present and are currently second in the league with nine goals for and three against, despite this crowds are still disappointing for a town the size of Thetford and the club urge more people to come and have a look.

The car parking problem has been eased with Thetford Cricket Club kindly helping out with parking for players and officials.

They travelled to Hadleigh today then have another mouth-watering home tie against much fancied Great Yarmouth Town on Tuesday, ko 7.45pm.

On a brighter note, the players all had a night out in Thetford after the Needham match as their team spirit goes from strength to strength.