Pre-season has come around very quickly and from the dormant period a new revamped and remodelled Pedlars squad has emerged under the careful watch and guidance of Justin Short and Stuart Gallon. Tough opposition to start their 2025-2026 campaign with the Hornets of Debenham L.C. making the trip to the 'Uncle Luke's Stadium'. Debenham play in the Senior Division of the Suffolk and Ipswich Football League and had a mediocre last season but are hotly tipped for this one.
A dream start for the Pedlars with Jack Frohawk delighting those spectating, firing into the top right hand corner of the Debenham net just five minutes into the game, just the medicine to calm the nerves of this untested novice Pedlar line-up. End to end stuff for the rest of the half, a fine save five minutes from half-time from keeper Sam Hoyle making his senior debut, tipping a shot from eighteen yards fired with venom, over the bar to safety.
The Hornets levelled five minutes into the second half and then took the lead twenty minutes in. The Young Pedlar team kept their nerve and held their heads high, a well deserved equaliser coming ten minutes from time, Alfie Gallon running onto a perfectly squared ball to shoot home from ten yards. The draw, a fair outcome for both sides with no complaints from those watching the game, a fixture played within the spirit of the sport with little incident requiring intervention from the Officials. The Pedlars wishing the Hornets all the very best for their up-coming season. Next Saturday the Pedlars travel to Long Sutton for the second game in their season preparation.
On Wednesday of this week, the Reserves start their run-in to the playing season welcoming Terrington Tigers from the North West Norfolk, First Division to Shoemakers Lane, kick-off 7pm.