Swaffham Town left frustrated by floodlight failure at Great Yarmouth
Alex Vincent opened the scoring for Swaffham at Yarmouth. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Eddie Deane
What started as a great day at the office for Swaffham Town turned to disappointment and a wasted Saturday at Great Yarmouth Town.
The Pedlars got off to a commanding start to the Thurlow Nunn First Division clash and out-played the eighth-placed Bloaters on a wet and heavy pitch.
Without established regulars Lee Brooks and Jack Redhead, both overcoming injury, the Pedlars got their first goal in the 11th minute.
Jake Platten sent Joe Jackson on a run down the left wing and his pace was too much for two defenders before his cross was met and converted by Alex Vincent for a 1-0 lead.
To the shock of Yarmouth, the Pedlars then made it 2-0 four minutes later, Matthew Castellan cashing in on a goalmouth scramble following a Vincent corner.
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Good defending kept the home side frustrated and the two-goal lead was held at the half-time break.
There were some discussions before the game resumed as not all of the floodlights at the Wellesley had come on, but with the agreement of both sides the referee took the decision to continue with the match.
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An early replacement in the second half saw Nick Castellan replace an under-the-weather Vincent. His impact on the game and injection of pace was immediate and after being set through by Aaron Porter, he threatened the Bloaters defence and let rip from 18 yards, with his effort rattling the post and rebounding to safety.
Following complaints by the Yarmouth defence, the referee abandoned the game for poor light in the 63rd minute, with the score 2-0 to the Pedlars. The decision on the result will go to the league management committee, with a replay likely.
There was further bad luck at Shoemakers Lane, where perfect conditions at 10am were replaced 45 minutes later by black skies and a heavy downpour of rain, sleet and snow, leaving no option but to call off the Reserves' game against Easton.
This Saturday the Pedlars start the new year off with a home tie against second-placed Long Melford (kick-off 3pm). Swaffham are eight points behind Melford in fourth place but have three games in hand.
Swaffham won 4-1 away against the south Suffolk side in September so will be hopeful of starting the year on a high note in front of their own fans.
