Pedlars get just reward
THE Pedlars picked up a deserved three points at home to sixth-placed Stowmarket on Saturday.
Swaffham suffered a setback before kick-off when Jack Redhead, picked up a knee injury during the warm up, Lewis Hemeter stepping in as an admirable replacement.
The Pedlars started strongly, winning four corners in the first five minutes. The deadlock was finally broken in the 12th minute, as Scott Voutt beat the keeper with a brave diving header from a Joe Jackson corner.
Craig Burton made it two in the 15th minute, tapping in following great work by Aaron Clifford and Jackson to open up the defence.
The visitors pulled one back in the 40th minute, their centre forward finally breaking free of the tight marking by centre-backs Matthew Parkinson and Ben Durrant.
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Swaffham's two-goal cushion was re-established in the 44th minute, Clifford heading in from another Jackson corner, the cross assisted by David Spalding.
Stowmarket came back again, fumbling the ball over the line from a skirmish resulting from a corner, on the stroke of half-time.
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It looked as though the luck may be going against Swaffham when Stowmarket equalised in the 56th minute.
But Swaffham captain David Spalding delivered the goods for his side, with another firm header from a Jackson corner, the keeper having no chance.
The Pedlars defended well to retain their lead, Dean Mayes pulling off a fine save late on in the game but on the whole this was a good performance by Paul Hunt's men.
There was some encouraging play by young substitutes Nathan Cross and Lee Woolmore, replacing Hemeter and Clifford, both showing great promise for the future. Swaffham's man-of-the-match was Voutt, who battled throughout the 90 minutes, and was an inspiration to the team.
The Pedlars were due to travel to Saffron Walden Town on Tuesday and they are away on Saturday to league leaders, Cambridge University Press (kick-off 3pm).
The Reserves travel north to Cromer Town Reserves (kick-off 2.30pm), while the A team are at Shoemakers Lane, hosting Thetford Rovers Reserves (kick-off 3pm).
The club would like to thank the volunteers who worked so hard preparing the pitches for Saturday's fixtures at Shoemakers Lane. Comments were received from officials and visitors, regarding the good condition of the pitch considering the recent weather and the late stage of the season.
