Downham Town cruised into the second qualifying round of the FA Vase this afternoon with a thumping 5-1 victory over West Norfolk rivals Swaffham Town.
Three goals in the opening quarter of the contest put the tie well beyond Swaffham’s reach at the SCL Memorial Field and although the Pedlars did pull a goal back in the second half, the hosts added two late goals to comfortably see them through.
Downham have started most of their matches quickly this season – and that was the case in this encounter as Swaffham were blown away in quick fashion.
Their opener came in the second minute. Josh Overland failed to control the ball for the visitors and the pace of Matty Blackford took him clear before his cross was turned into his own net by Joey Ellis.
Ellis almost atoned for his blemish after seeing his shot from a Harry Cupit free-kick deflected behind for a corner at the other end.
Downham doubled their lead in their next attack in the eighth minute through Artur Visconaskis as the home onslaught continued.
It went from bad to worse for the Pedlars in the 16th minute.
Eoin McQuaid saw his free-kick well saved by Joe Rider down to his right before the Pedlars shotstopper saved the follow-up as a queue of home players waited to pounce.
But despite his heroics, Rider was unable to keep out the third effort from James Moore as the teenage frontman continued his fine run of form in front of goal.
The remainder of the half saw Jack Frohawk force Duncan McAnally into a low stop while Smalls dragged an effort wide at the other end.
Former Linnets striker John Sands saw his effort blocked for the visitors as Downham held onto their three-goal advantage going into the break.
Swaffham have made a fine start to the season in the First Division North and, with the help of some poor decision-making from Downham at times, showed just why in the second half.
The Pedlars pulled a goal back through James Karanicos 13 minutes after the restart with an emphatic header at the near post from a Frohawk corner.
After somewhat going through the motions for periods of the second half, Downham stepped it up a gear for the final few minutes of the tie.
A fine finish from Jack Gould made it 4-1 in the 81st minute before Blackford stabbed home a fifth with a few minutes left on the clock.
Downham’s reward is a home tie against Thurlow Nunn Premier Division rivals Newmarket Town in the second qualifying round next month.
