Swaffham Town 1, FC Clacton 4The Pedlars played host to second-in-the-table Clacton.It was a welcome return to football at Shoemakers Lane, the first Ridgeons fixture there in 2010.

Swaffham Town 1, FC Clacton 4

The Pedlars played host to second-in-the-table Clacton.

It was a welcome return to football at Shoemakers Lane, the first Ridgeons fixture there in 2010.

The weather had changed from the sun and blue skies of the morning to overcast and misty.

The home side kicked off downhill and started the game with confidence.

Twice in the first ten minutes saw Clacton struggle to defend a long ball over there back four but managed to clear the resultant crosses.

Clacton's first opportunity came in the 9th minute, a free kick 30 yards out and to the right of the box, headed wide by the centre forward.

The resulting goal kick saw a breakaway by Matthew Kenny, the cross to Kyle Plumb cleared as he struggled to bring it under control.

Swaffham's luck changed in the 16th minute, Andrew Hunter taking a free-kick which was cleared by the Clacton defence, knocked back in by Richard Cornwall, Hunter breaking clear and chipping the approaching keeper from 14 yards.

A minute later it could have been two, Matthew Parkinson's chipped shot narrowly missing the back post. Clacton squared the score in the 20th minute, a free-kick hit low past Lee Brooks' far post.

Five minutes later Swaffham were caught napping, failing to clear from a long throw, the Clacton number 5 vollying into the net.

The half finished with Swaffham attacking Plumb putting Kenny through, the keeper just beating him to the ball.

Kyle Plumb broke clear early into the second half crossing into the box, Parkinson mis-hitting the shot, collected by the keeper.

A long punt from the Clacton keeper nearly beat the home defence, good recovery work by Tom Rainford and Ben Russell calming the situation.

Clacton's third came in the 51st minute, poor marking allowed the No. 7 to break through and slide the ball past Brooks. Three minutes later nearly a repeat, only for David Spalding supporting his keeper and clearing off the line.

In the 68th minute a double substitution saw Keith Polski and Ian Simmons replace Daniel Paynter and Matthew Parkinson respectively to mix the play. A further change, Chris Sainty for Matthew Kenny in the 80th.

Brooks pulled off a fine save from a 20-yard volley in the 81st minute. Swaffham only came close in the remaining time when Keith Polski shot wide after being put through by Plumb.

The final insult to injury came in the 88th minute, a ball not cleared, pushed across the goal area, a simple header for the Clacton number 7.

The First Team are without a fixture on Saturday February 13, however the reserves host Bungay Town Reserves 2pm kick-off and the A-team are also at home to Dickleburgh, 2pm.