Wanderers weave magic at Shoemakers Lane

On the opening game of the season the Pedlars welcomed Ipswich Wanderers to Shoemakers Lane. Both sides have seen considerable changes during the summer. Ipswich started the stronger of the sides, forcing Dean ‘’Rocky’’ Mayes into a good save in the first 3mins. However 2 mins later still calming nerves, the Swaffham defence was breached , a goal mouth scramble and clearance failure,allowed the visitors an easy knock in. Swaffham playing with a mixture of experience and youth saw there equaliser come in the 13th min. Captain David Spalding having a terrific mid-field burst sent Joe Jackson clear who finished very convincingly. It was almost 2, 4 mins. later when Jackson combined with Jack Webber, Jack striking just wide of the post. Wanderer’s hit their second on the 34th min. an excellent finish by the number 11, Matt Buckle,into the top corner of Mayes net. Webber had a further attempt in the 39th min hitting a venomous shot from 30yds. which the visiting keeper did well to punch clear. The visitors increased their lead 5 Mins. before the break, with Swann leaving Mayes in the home goal with no chance of stopping his shot.
The second half saw the home side play with more confidence with chances in the 57thand 60th min by Richard Cornwall and Craig Burton respectively, the first forcing a corner, the other justskimmingthe crossbar. Wanderer’s put the game to bed by scoring there 4th against the run of play, by clinically finishing a long punt through the middle. A change in the line up saw 16 year Jack Windass replace Will O’Brian with seventeen mins. remaining. The young ‘’Pedlars ‘’ showed terrific spirit and never got their heads down. This was repaid when a great overhead scissor kick by Joe Jackson saw his effort pushed onto the bar by the keeper but great bravery by Swaffham stalwart Scott Voutt saw the ‘’Pedlars’’ net there much deserved second. A further substitution in the 81st min., Jake Platten replace Jack Webber another 16 year old making his debut at this level. The town continued to press and further efforts by Jackson and Burton came to nothing, the damage having already been done. A very spirited effort by the home side against a team that are tipped for honours at the end of the season.