Honours even at the Hares

March Town United 1 Swaffham Town 1

The Pedlars travelled tyo the GER Ground following their defeat last Tuesday to League leaders Gorleston. Conditions perfect for football, the ground in great condition following mid-week rain. In the mix from the start, the first attempt fell to Jake platten, connecting with a Will O'Brien free kick, his effort cleared. O'Brien had an opportunity of his own shooting from twenty yards, the ball narrowly skimming wide of the post. March keeper, Lee Brookes, an old favourite at Shoemakers Lane was called into action in the sixteenth minute, taking a Joe Jackson freekick, at the foot of his nearside post. The play reversed and Dean 'Rocky' Mayes defended well for the Pedlars, coming out to meet a long throughball under pressure from the March attack. Swaffham were unlucky in the 30th minute, an O'Brien free kick, headed goalward by David Spalding, cleared for Richard Cornwall to smash a volley, Brookes having to punch clear, headed back in from 18 yards by Nathan Clarke, the keeper catching high on his line. On the stroke of half time a further effort from a corner putting the 'Hares' defence on their toes, fortunate to spill the ball out of their area to safety.
Swaffham opened the second half playing the attractive feet to feet football which they have displayed confidently this season and for the first fifteen minutes looked to overcome the March defence. A perfectly weighted free kick by James Miller missing all Swaffham heads in the box and running through to safety. Jack Redhead and Nathan Cross came on to replace O'Brien and Platten, their impact seen instantly, Redhead testing Brookes in the 66th minute, forcing him to push over the bar, the corner from Cross, met powerfully by Scott Voutt but wide of the mark. The run of play changed in the 69th minute, March awarded a penalty for a trip in the box, Mayes saving the shot the rebound converted. The balance restored in the 80th minute, a great freekick played through the defence by Redhead, Cornwall sliding in to deflect the ball into the net. The final ten minutes saw Swaffham pepper the March area and goal, efforts by Jackson, Redhead, Clarke and Cornwall unable to find their way past the March defence. Solid defending by the Swaffham back four, The return of Dwayne Hockton and Ben Durrant starting to establish his position within the team. An encouraging performance by Paul Hunt's squad, with fixtures in the coming weeks against teams in a similar League position, so valuable points could be available providing the determination and confidence remains.
Congratulations to Micky Titmarsh and his young Under 18 squad, winning their final game last Thursday against tough opposition, Wisbech Town, Steven Stock getting both in the 2 - 1 victory. It is a difficult transition to Youth football, but credit to the squad, Micky, Tony Goddard, Gerry Palmer and Jon Cockerill for their persistance and hard work. The squad will be something to look out for next season and the other senior teams are already benefiting from the work contributed by all, well done!
The Pedlars travel to Humber Doucy Lane next Saturday, the home of Ipswich Wanderers, kick off 3pm. The Reserves are away to Beccles Town Reserves kick off 2.30pm and the 'A' Team welcome Bunwell to Shoemakers Lane, kick off 3pm