Pedlars lose at home

Swaffham Town:-
1 D.Mayes,2 Darren Hockton,3 Dwayne Hockton,4 M.Parkinson,5 D.Spalding,6 N.Cross,7 J.Redhead,8 S.Voutt,9 R.Cornwall,10 J.Jackson,11 B.Stangroome,12 S.Twaite-Smith,14 L.Woolmore,15 J.Platten, 16 L.Hemeter.

Halstead Town:-
1 M.Walker,2 A.Smith,3 S.Newness,4 J.Smith,5 N.Farthing,6 J.Palmer,7 D.Sakal,8 J.Raby,9 R.Crush,10 J.Hutchings,11 L.Hurkett,12 A.Drew,14 B.Dix,

Considering it is now October, conditions for both sides were difficult dealing with the heat and hardness of the ground. Swaffham attacked from the whistle, winning a free kick just outside of the box. Jack Redhead's effort driven into the wall, his strike on the rebound, well taken by the keeper. A penetrating run by Dwayne Hockton saw his cross caught without contest on the edge of the six yard box. The visitors took the lead in the 5th minute with their first attack of the game. Gifted a corner from a mis-hit back pass, the corner played to the near post, back headed into the top corner. Both teams settled and some good football was played in the mid field by both sides, neither gaining further advantage over the other. Swaffham looking to equalise saw opportunities arise, Blake Stangroome volleying over after being set free by a Daren Hockton throw in and then a further effort by Stangroome, cleared bizarely from the line. At the half hour mark, a good run by Joe Jackson, his shot dealt with with ease by the visiting keeper. Dean Mayes coming to the rescue of the Pedlars before half time, beating away a shot from the Halstead centre forward.

A brief respite from the heat at half time, the refreshed Pedlars started the second half, with chances falling to Jack Redhead and Nathan Cross, both efforts wide of the mark, the first just wide of the left hand post, the other struck from 25 yards going narrowly over. Mayes pulled off a fine save in the 50th minute, diverting a well struck shot for a corner, the resulting kick easily taken. The divide increased in the 58th minute, with the Halstead number 8, receiving the ball just inside the area, turning and shooting superbly to beat Mayes. Further chances falling to Richard Cornwall, saved by the feet of the keeper, a Jackson free kick straight to the arms of the keeper and Stangroome shooting wide when one-on-one with the keeper re-affirming that it wasn't to be Swaffham's day. The final Halstead goal came in the 87th minute just to add insult to injury, with the final score not showing a true reflection of the Swaffham performance but once again indicating scoring chances not being converted.

Next Saturday the Pedlars are again at home,with Brightlingsea Regent the visitors to Shoemakers Lane, 3pm kick off. An exciting fixture when the clubs met at Brightlingsea, the Pedlars looking to correct the balance after losing, being 2-0 up at half time.

Hopefully the squad will be up to full strength, a number of players returning following absence. The tie will provide further readiness with a Senior Cup tie at home to Thetford Town, Saturday 15 October.

The Reserves travel to the coast in their Norfolk Junior Cup campaign, a 2pm kick off at Cromer Town.

The 'A' Team are without a game this weekend.