Pedlars throw away two-goal lead in the battle for survival

Published: 12:28 AM March 21, 2017 Updated: 7:13 AM October 7, 2020

Swaffham own's recent signing Alan Woodcock on the attack. Picture: Eddie Deane. - Credit: Archant

Injury-hit Swaffham Town claimed a valuable point on Saturday – but had a two-goal advantage wiped out in the final 15 minutes.

Toby Millward, stripes, is first to the ball for Swaffham. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Archant

Ben Champion put the Pedlars ahead after just seven minutes, shooting across the goal from 16 yards.

Swaffham's David Weaver-Pope, left, battles for possession. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Archant

The lead was doubled in the 20th minute, James Thompson chipping the keeper as Swaffham got off to the perfect start. It was Thompson's first senior goal for Swaffham – although he became another addition to the injury list early in the second half.

Swaffham scorer Ben Champion rising high. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Archant

Swaffham's good work was undone late on, by goals in the 75th and 82nd minutes which left the Pedlars nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division, with two games in hand on the team closest to them, FC Clacton.

Mark Allibone keeping his eye on the ball for Swaffham. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Archant

The Pedlars' hopes of survival weren't helped at the weekend when FC Clacton beat Kirkley & Pakefield 2-0. Elsewhere in the top flight, Gorleston's 3-0 home win over Long Melford keeps them in fourth position, 11 points off the top spot but with three games in hand – and one of those is a crunch home clash against leaders Mildenhall early next month.

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Neighbours Great Yarmouth Town were unable to lend them a helping hand, going down 2-0 at home to third-placed Newmarket Town, but Felixstowe & Walton United, in second place, were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at Stanway on Friday night.

It's a Friday night kick-off for Swaffham this weekend, with the Pedlars travelling to Clipbush Park looking to balance the derby books against Fakenham. The following Tuesday, Swaffham go to Ely City – both kick-offs are 7.45pm.

The Reserves were themselves at Clipbush Park on Saturday, unable to maintain their winning form, eventually going down 3-1, a score which did not reflect the run of the game. Captain Sam Loomes converted for the Pedlars. Next weekend they are away to Hemsby.

There is a big top-of-the table clash on Thursday evening in the Thurlow Nunn Youth North Division. Current table toppers Dereham Town visit Shoemakers Lane for a fixture that could decide the division. The Young Pedlars then make the trip to Clipbush Park on Monday evening to play the Ghosts' Under 18s.