Swaffham slam Seven

Swaffham Town 7 Cornard United 0

Those loyal supporters who braved the bitter cold on Saturday were treated to a fine display of talent and some cracking finishes. This meeting of the two bottom clubs anticipated drama and the previous promise and improvement of Paul Hunt's squad shone through at Shoemakers Lane. Swaffham started strongly, an early effort from Joe Jackson shooting across the goal. Scott Voutt hitting into the keepers arms in the twelth minute, Aaron Clifford then lobbing the keeper to see his attempt grazing the wrong side of the post a minute later. Will O'Brien and Richard Cornwall combined well in mid-field, feeding Jackson to whip his shot over the bar. The deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute, Jack Redhead playing Will O'Brien in, who beat two defenders with tremendous ball control, striking sweetly to net in the top corner. Cornard countered from the kick off, Dean 'Rocky' Mayes saving well with his legs, the resulting corner saw defender David Spalding fouled. The final effort of the half saw Clifford and Jackson playing forward, Jackson volleying over.
The second half started disasterously for the visitors, a minute into the half saw the keeper miss a through ball played in by Scott Voutt, Jack Redhead beating the offside trap and tapping in. Four minutes later Redhead played Joe Jackson through, his strike rifling into the top corner. Jackson claimed his second in the 54th minute, bursting through the defence with tricky footwork to slot home. Jackson was instrumental in the fifth, a great forward run to play in Aaron Clifford, the finish leaving the visiting keeper no chance. Nathan Cross replaced Jackson in the 70th minute following a knock to his right ankle. With no luck coming their way, Cornard suffered number six with an own goal in the 75th minute, a mis-clearance from a ball delivered into the box by defender Daren Hockton. On the restart 16 year old Jake Platten, replaced Will O'Brien, the young substitutes bringing further promise for the season and the Club's future. Further action in the 87th minute, a ball played in by Cross, narrowly missing all in the box and the back post. The final goal came on the stroke of time, Dwayne Hockton winning the ball and taking it through mid-field to set up Richard Cornwall to score. A great performance by all, season goal debuts for Cornwall and O'Brien.
Next Saturday the Pedlars travel to Downham Town, as well as the local derby, another league position clash which is sure to inspire an exciting fixture, kick off 3pm.
The Reserve Team welcome Aylsham to Shoemakers Lane, Round 3 of the Cyril Ballyn Trophy, kick off 1.30pm, the 'A' Team are away to Rockland United, kick off 2pm.
This Thursday, 13 January, the Under 18's are at home to Wisbech St. Mary in the Ridgeons Youth North League, kick off 7.45pm.