Thetford Town suffered a heavy home defeat to Godmanchester Rovers on Friday evening that saw them fail to progress to the FA Cup qualifying stage.

It was a tough night for Town, who came up against a team who on this evidence will be pushing for automatic promotion this season.

Thetford came into the game on the back of three successive home wins, with 10 goals scored, but are still missing a host of their squad through a mixture of work commitments, holidays and injury.

Godmanchester started brighter and within the first quarter of a hour had gone in front from what appeared a softly awarded penalty, finished comfortably by Joe Furness.

There was much to admire about Godmanchester’s attacking play. They were constantly pressing and harassing the Town defence and midfield, forcing errors and had an incision and cutting edge to their play.

They added a second when Jack Chandler, a particular threat down the left hand side, was given time to strike a low shot into Town’s goal.

Godmanchester were creating chances with ease and only last ditch tackles from Matt Morton and Dane Coomber-Willis prevented further damage.

Thetford best chance came in the 36th minute. Ross Bailey put in a delightful cross and Andrew Wood’s looping header was brilliantly saved by Niall Conroy.

Soon after Godmanchester all but secured victory with a third when Michael Hyde took advantage of a big gap at the centre of the Town defence and struck through Will Viner’s legs.

Thetford started the second half brightly, with Wood being denied on a couple of occasions from close range, but it was no surprise when Godmanchester added their fourth in the 52nd minute through Chandler’s second of the night, a neat finish from a tight angle.

Thetford were unfortunate not to get a consolation goal from their best move of the night. A brilliantly drilled cross from Ian Fancett was headed by Priddle into Coomber-Willis’ path, but his header drifted just wide.

Godmanchester fifth came in the 75th minute after more tricky wing play from Chandler who picked out an unmarked Simon Unwin for a headed finish.

There were few complaints from Thetford who showed plenty of effort but were simply outclassed on the night.

Town have the chance to maintain their fine start in the league with a home match against Clacton on Saturday (3pm).

Thetford: Viner, Stead, Morton, Coomber-Willis, Fancett, Bailey, Rocha, Priddle (Kamberov), Castro, Wood (Willis), Campbell.

Thetford Town 4 Framlingham Town 2

Thetford Town moved up to fifth in the early Thurlow Nunn Premier Division table with a hard fought but ultimately deserved midweek win against Framingham Town.

Two goals from Andrew Wood and a late Michael Campbell strike turned an early second half deficit into a win for Town which also extended their unbeaten run in league and cup to four games.

Newly-promoted Framingham have had a difficult time adjusting to life at a higher level, with three consecutive defeats seeing them sitting bottom of the table.

There was however no lack of confidence in their early play and they were a match for the Brecklanders in an evenly balanced first period. It was no surprise when they took the lead in the 28th minute. Cyrus Thorpe was given too much time and space on the edge of the box and curled a neat right foot finish into the bottom corner.

Thetford restored parity just before the interval with a stunning strike from Ross Bailey. The ball fell to the midfielder 35 yards from goal and he unleashed a strike of power and precision which flew past Sam Chilvers in the Framlingham goal.

Framingham retook their lead within three minutes of the restart. The Thetford defence were slow to react after goalkeeper Will Viner saved expertly from Max Willet’s powerful low drive and Danny Smith was on hand to strike into an empty net.

The Brecklanders’ response was almost instant, Wood turning brilliantly with the outside of his right foot away from a defender before placing a fine left foot finish past Chilvers from just inside the penalty area.

It was Wood’s second of the evening that put Town in front for the first time on the night. He was released clear of the Framingham defence from Campbell’s quick pass and finished between Chilvers’ legs.

Framlingham, playing some nice football, pushed for an equaliser, most notably when the lively Smith forced Viner into a smart save with his legs.

However, Town wrapped up the win in injury-time as Campbell, who was a constant menace with his pace and movement, got the goal he deserved. Framlingham failed to clear a long ball and Campbell struck a fine shot with the outside of his right foot to seal the win.

Thetford Town: Viner, Stead, Morton (capt), Coomber-Willis (Willis), Snow (Allen), Rocha, Bailey, Castro, Fancett, Campbell, Wood.