''Pedlars'' stand proud in local derby

Swaffham Town 1 Downham Town 0

Conditions at the start of the match difficult for both teams, the much needed rain, having difficulty in soaking into the hardened ground. However, conditions improved as the rain stopped, giving both sides the opportunity to display their potential. A return to Shoemakers Lane for old favourite, Lee Brookes who served the Pedlars well for several seasons, now returning on the opposing side, forced to make saves in the second and ninth minutes from efforts by Joe Jackson and Jack Redhead. Downham returning fire in the fifteenth minute, winning a free kick just outside of the box, the wall doing it's job, the deflected shot going for a corner. The resultant cross dealt with and cleared by a solid Swaffham back four. Dean 'Rocky' Mayes forced to show his agility, seven miutes before the break, a fine save following a goalmouth skirmish, forcing a driven strike wide of the post. Two corners close to the half time whistle gave the Pedlars chances but each wide of target.

The Pedlars started the second half the most dominant, and Alex Vincent forcing a great save from Brookes, unable to keep hold of the shot, Jackson brought down as he made an attempt on the follow-in from the spilled ball. Jackson shooting the penalty wide! Richard Cornwall returning for his first start since injury, unlucky to head wide from a Redhead floated free kick in the fifty second minute. Further opportunity five minutes later, good play by Swaffham across the park, a driving run by Nathan Cross picking up a perfectly weighted ball slotted through by Will O'Brien, the shot narrowly missing. A break by Downham had Mayes again producing a great save from the number six, Craig Dickson, but for the most of the half the Pedlars defence did sufficient to leave him a spectator. Not to be outdone, Brookes pulled off the save of the match in the 79th minute, tipping a Redhead free kick onto the bar. The deadlock was finally broken in the 81st minute, Shane Twaite-Smith heading a ball through to Jackson, finally beating Brookes to take all three points. Our thanks and appreciation go to Swaffham Conservative Club for sponsoring the game and match ball and The George Hotel for their continued support in providing hot food after the game, without this community spirit, continuing to provide sport at this standard would be extremely difficult.