Swaffham Town suffer Norfolk Senior Cup shock ahead of derby clash
Alex Vincent rounds Acle keeper Scott Cruickshank to bag Swaffham's second goal. Picture: Eddie Deane - Credit: Eddie Deane
Swaffham Town will look to shake off their shock Norfolk Senior Cup exit when they head into derby battle at Thetford Town on Saturday.
The volunteer ground staff worked hard to keep Saturday's fourth-round clash with Acle United on, but howling wind and occasional heavy downpours were a real spoiler for any entertaining football for the spectators who braved the elements.
The teams did, however, produce a seven-goal thriller, riddled with mistakes on both sides due to the conditions.
Swaffham took advantage of the wind in the first half as both teams tried to settle, with an early acrobatic attempt by Alex Vincent delivered straight into the arms of the visiting goalkeeper.
Michael Thompson broke the deadlock, scoring from distance, and Vincent got his just rewards before half-time, rounding the keeper and slotting into the net.
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Acle pulled one back just after the restart and from the whistle, the Pedlars regained the two-goal advantage, Jack Defty firing home.
The visitors fought back with their wind advantage and long-ball football to close the gap again.
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Their equaliser came with 15 minutes remaining, a dubious challenge taking the ball out of the hands of keeper Dean Mayes, the referee judging it to be satisfactory.
The winner came with 10 minutes to go, the wind playing its part, assisting direct from a corner.
The visitors held on to their lead and deserved their victory.
On Saturday the Pedlars return to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division action, away to Thetford, who won 4-2 at Swaffham in the early stages of the FA Cup in August but lost 3-1 in the league at Shoemakers Lane in September.
The Brecklanders won 8-3 at Hellesdon in the Senior Cup, after extra-time.
Swaffham are then at home to Kirkley & Pakefield on Tuesday night in the league, in a 7.45pm kick-off.
