Seasiders go home with the spoils

The Seasiders take the spoils from the Pedlars

Despite the Pedlars taking the lead on threee occasions, the Ridgeons Premier League visitors proved too strong for Paul Hunt's men, but needed extra time to do it!

Early pressure from the Seasiders was soaked up well by the Swaffham defence, brothers Daren and Dwayne Hockton each clearing with their heads from corners. The first advance from the homeside orchestrated by Will O'Brien, setting Joe Jackson free his effort knocked out for a corner. The first goal came in the 24th minute from simple moves, keeper Dean Mayes throwing deep to right back Nathan Cross, he pushed forward and then set Jackson through to beat the keeper easily. The visitors equalised ten minutes later, a break down the right flank, the cross met low by the number 11 to side foot in. From the restart, the Pedlars pushed forward, Richard Cornwall laying off to Jackson, who turned the Felistowe number 5 inside out to let fly a tremendous volley into the top right hand corner of the net. As the half time whistle blew, the visitors were clearly shocked to be going into the dressing room behind.

The equilibrium restored seven minutes into the second half, a mirror to their first goal, a cross ball from the right side beating he defenders and a straight forward side foot for the Felixstowe number 8. The Pedlars battled on, good work by Jack Redhead and Scott Voutt to keep the shape and structure of the team, Captain David Spalding commanding from the rear. It was nearly all over in the 88th minute, Dwayne Hockton winning the ball to set substitute Blake Stangroome through, his shot beaten off the line, but it was not to be and extra time was the order of the day.

Halfway through the first period, Jackson looking for his hat-trick, rattled the Felixstowe post unleashing a ferocious shot beating the keeper, but it was not to be. A minute later, Richard Cornwall picked the ball up from a poor clearance and made it three for the Pedlars. On the stroke of half time, the visitors equalised, keeper Mayes unable to keep hold of a shot, the spilled ball easily converted.

For the first time in the afternoon, the visitors took the lead, first minute of the second period, four minutes later they struck again and the final insult to injury came in the last minute, the final score 3 - 6, not reflecting the full experience of the tie. Swaffham Town F.C. would like to thank the Conservative Club for sponsoring the game and match ball and also The George Hotel for their kind sponsorship of after match food.