Swaffham Town kick off new campaign by scoring six
Swaffham's four-goal hero Joe Jackson in the thick of the action at the weekend. Picture: Eddie Dean - Credit: Archant
Swaffham Town started their Thurlow Nunn League campaign in superb style on Saturday when they hammered Needham Market Reserves 6-1 at Shoemakers Lane.
James Thompson resisting pressure from the Needham Market midfield. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Archant
James Thompson opened their account for a new season in Division One nine minutes into the game, shooting across the goal from the edge of the box and netting low into the left hand corner.
The visitors levelled four minutes later, keeper Sam Pishorn picking up a yellow card after bringing down the centre forward and Needham converting the penalty.
The home advantage was restored in the 27th minute, Joe Jackson heading sweetly into goal from a Nathan Trundle cross.
A period followed when it appeared that things could go either way depending on who scored next but the tension was broken on 37 minutes when Jackson was played through from an Alex Vincent header and beat the keeper to his right hand side.
The game was almost put to bed two minutes from half-time when Jackson lobbed the keeper and the crossbar denied him a first half hat-trick.
Home keeper Pishorn impressed, standing strong and commanding his area to deny Needham any opportunity to get back into the game,
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The Pedlars emerged from the break looking a far more confident side, no doubt Paul Hunt's half-time pep talk a contributing factor. Fifteen minutes into the half, Jackson crossed for Vincent to power home, his shot being too strong for the keeper, to give the Pedlars a three-goal advantage.
Jackson's hat-trick was finally completed in the 76th minute as he connected to a through ball and volleying into the top right corner. Vincent and Jackson linked up again in the 88th minute for Jackson's fourth and Swaffham's sixth as the striker converting from 18 yards.
The entertainment continued right to the last minute, Jackson again being denied by the woodwork as he hit the post.
It was the Pedlars' third successive 6-1 win, having beaten St Andrews and RAF Marham by the same scoreline in friendly matches.
On Saturday the Pedlars are at home again when they take on Rothwell Corinthians from the UCL Premier League in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup (3pm kick-off).
