FA Vase dream ends quickly for Swaffham Town

The Wembley dream has come to a quick end for Swaffham Town after a 2-1 home loss to Hertfordshire side Broxbourne Borough in the first round of the FA Vase.

The visitors, who also play at Step Five of the non-league pyramid, in the South Midlands Premier Division, saw the best chance for an early lead fall to Swaffham when the advancing Finlay Bloodworth made a darting run into the 18-yard box and saw his shot deflect just wide for a corner.

The Pedlars kept pushing for a goal, with Alex Vincent making some good runs and a handful of dazzling solo efforts, but just couldn't find the back of the net.

The deadlock was finally broken when Swaffham midfielder Luke Reed struck home following a steady build-up and he received the ball into a crowded penalty area and kept his cool to fire into the bottom left-hand corner with 37 minutes on the clock.

Just five minutes later Jack Defty's header hit the crossbar and bounced on the line before the last defender cleared for safety, as the hosts failed to extend their lead before the break.

Broxbourne found an equaliser in the second half following a superb strike from their advancing forward who picked his spot from 11 yards and fired home with a half-volley past keeper Jordan Bell.

Broxbourne then took the lead three minutes later with their right winger chipped the approaching Pedlars keeper from 25 yards and midfielder applied the final touch, with offside calls ignored.

Tom McCarthy saw an effort ruled out for offside and Vincent hit the post but Swaffham couldn't find an equaliser to force a replay for the hosts.

On Saturday the Pedlars return to Thurlow Nunn Premier Division action, with high-flying Stanway Rovers visiting Shoemakers Lane (3pm kick-off).