Swaffham Town 2 Long Melford 2
Jamie Buhlemann scored a hat-trick for Swaffham Reserves at Costessey Sports. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Eddie Deane
Great efforts by the Swaffham ground staff kept this fixture alive as many others fell foul to the weather conditions.
The visitors started hard and strong, taking the lead after six minutes, home keeper Joshua Barnes powerless to stop a sweetly struck shot.
The Pedlars then went 2-0 down in the 27th minute but were still to have tested the Long Melford keeper and then desperately held on to keep the score the same through to half-time.
Whatever manager Paul Hunt conveyed to his players at half-time, clearly made an impression though.
Starting the half with more drive and gusto, Hunt made a double substitution early in the half with Matthew Parkinson and Mark Allibone replacing Aaron Porter and the injured Joe Woods.
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The threat to aerial attack paid dividends but it was Matthew Castellan who punished Melford, his initial effort scrambled off the line by the keeper for him to thump the rebound into the net.
The Pedlars looked the more dominant and to the relief of the home supporters, the equaliser came in the 78th minute, with Parkinson heading home an Alex Vincent corner.
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In the closing minutes it could have been three for the Pedlars, Vincent grazing the crossbar with a free-kick from 25 yards and the visiting keeper having to make two good stops to deny Swaffham. This Saturday the Pedlars travel to Team Bury.
n Swaffham Reserves travelled to Costessey Sports in Anglian Combination Division Three and won 4-2, with goals from Stephen Aspery and an impressive hat-trick by Jamie Buhlemann. There were also two penalty saves from Rory Harper on his return to fitness.
Swaffham Reserves host South Walsham this Saturday (2.30pm).
