Victory over Brantham gets Swaffham Town back on track

Action from Swaffham Town's 3-1 home win over Brantham Athletic (blue) at Shoemakers Lane, Finlay Bloodworth challenging as Mikey Thompson covers. Picture: Eddie Deane (Image: Eddie Deane)

Having played just one match since the start of the year, a 5-2 home loss to Godmanchester Rovers, the football finally restarted at Shoemakers Lane.

A confident start by the Pedlars saw a couple of efforts missing goal. The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute, Joe Jackson lashing home from the edge of the area. Athletic pulled one back five minutes from the interval, against the run of play but enough to give the hosts the realisation that there was still plenty to be done.

The balance returned Swaffham's way in the first minute of the second half, Luis Duarte stabbing home. Jackson bagged his brace with seven minutes remaining and the goal of the match, picking the ball up 30 yards out, taking on and beating two players before slamming the ball into the top-right corner from 18 yards.

This Saturday the Pedlars travel to in-form Long Melford, who have won four and drawn one of their last five matches to move up to fifth in the table.

Action from Swaffham Town's 3-1 home win over Brantham Athletic (blue) at Shoemakers Lane, Luis Duarte in the thick of the action. Picture: Eddie Deane (Image: Eddie Deane)

Swaffham Reserves were unlucky not to return from Sprowston Wanderers with all three points in Division Three of the Almary Green Anglian Combination.

The home side equalised with two minutes remaining following a tough and hard fought fixture, the final score 3-3. Nick Castellan (pen), Matthew Blackford and Ahmed Rhaouti found the back of the net for Swaffham. This Saturday the reserves are at home to Loddon United Reserves.

Swaffham Veterans put in a difficult shift against Cromer Crabs, playing at Holt United, in the Over-40s (Seniors) Cup, in a close 2-1 defeat, with previous player-manager Paul Hutchins netting for the Pedlars.