Pedlars lose on the road

Whitton United 4 Swaffham Town 0

A disappointing trip to Ipswich on Saturday.Rory Harper and Dwayne Hockton unable to get past the warm-up to start the game, a pulled muscle and twisted ankle forcing both to an early shower.James Buhlemann and Lee Woolmore the worthy replacements leaving Paul Hunt fewer options on the bench and a very worried Lewis Hemeter !Swaffham started the stronger in the opening minutes, chances for Toby Hilliard and Alex Vincent coming close but not hitting the mark. A knock and run break by the home-side brought the first attack, a great save by Scott Cruickshank, the shot too powerful to hold, the rebound knocked in by the number 10.Swaffham pressed throughout the remainder of the half, hindered by the driving head-wind and intermittant snow flurries, the final touch never quite coming, adding to frustrations.
As with the luck of the Pedlars, the wind dropped for the second half and any advantage had gone ! An early corner taken by Jack Redhead, headed back across goal by Hilliard, struck by Vincent, headed off the line, the defended in the right place, not really knowing what had hit him.A break by Whitton, shot parried by Cruickshank, Matthew Parkinson fouling the attacker, penalty. Struck low and hard to the left of Cruickshank, he scooped the ball out for a corner.United got their second in the 72nd minute, another hit and run break. untidy but effective football, similar to the first goal.The run of the luck still against the Pedlars, Loui Hockton shooting from 18 yards, striking the post and minutes later, twenty yards out,?a curling full volley from Hilliard, struck with venom winging its way to the top left-hand corner of the net, the Whitton keeper bringing off the save of the game, tipping over for a corner.The final misery came in the 82nd and 90th minutes, the damage already done, the score irrelevant.Swaffham must now look forward to the Bank Holiday derby, the ingredients make great reading for a memorable contest.
Little luck also for the Reserves, they went down 3-2 to league leaders UEA, Tom Bailey and Stephen Aspery for Swaffham.? The 'A' Team returned from Rockland United with a point, a 2-2 draw, Craig Titmarsh and Matthew Coe.? A great win for the Under 18's midweek, a convincing 5-3 victory over Downham Town.A notable FOUR gaols for Daniel King, the last an individual lesson in beating defenders, George Hutton with the other, a strike from 25 yards, sailing into the top left hand corner.This Thursday the Under 18's are at home to Wisbech Town, kick off 7.45pm

Next Saturday the First Team travel to Essex to play Braintree Town Reserves, kick off 3pm.The Reserves are at home to Blofield United Reserves, kick off 2.30pm and the 'A' Team play Dereham Town 'A' away, kick off 3pm.
Next Monday 8 April, the Veterans take their campaign to Aldiss Park Dereham following a previously postponed fixture to play under floodlights, kick off 7.30pm.