They say all good things must come to an end - and that was the case of Godmanchester Rovers chief Chris Hyem last Saturday.

The Hunts Post: Arran Mackay made the breakthrough for Godmanchester Rovers as they won at Long Melford last Saturday.Arran Mackay made the breakthrough for Godmanchester Rovers as they won at Long Melford last Saturday. (Image: Archant)

Hyem tasted Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division defeat for the first time as a manager. It was a setback which arrived in his seventh league clash at the helm.

It was inflicted by a strong Kirkley & Pakefield side, who punished an uncharacteristically sloppy showing from Rovers to collect a 3-1 success at the soggy David Wilson Homes Ground.

“Too many players just didn’t turn up,” admitted Hyem. “We were forced into a few changes due to injuries, but we should still have been much more competitive than we were.

“We gave away some extremely sloppy goals and the disappointment was clear to see in the dressing room after the game.

The Hunts Post: Christian Le in action for Godmanchester Rovers in their defeat to Kirkley & Pakefield.Christian Le in action for Godmanchester Rovers in their defeat to Kirkley & Pakefield. (Image: Archant)

“We’ve enjoyed a great run of late to lift ourselves from the relegation zone into mid-table and we always knew that we would slip up at some point.

“I’m not going to over-react to one poor performance and result. The challenge now is to respond in the right way and try to put another good run of results together.”

Kirkley struck twice early on to leave Rovers with a mountain to climb before a third goal in the second half sealed their success and made it an unhapopy debut for new Godmanchester goalkeeper Ayden Duffy.

He has extensive experience at higher-levels of the non-league game and will provide competition for Richard Brandon for the number one shirt.

Chae Simons hit a consolation goal for Rovers, who dropped to 13th place in the Premier Division standings as a result of their loss.

They travel to Long Melford this Saturday in their final match ahead of Christmas.

They don’t then return to action until hosting Ely City on December 27.