Veteran Pedlars flying high at top of the table

Veteran footballers from Swaffham Town guaranteed themselves top spot over the Christmas period during another mixed week of results for the club.The team defeated Woottons Old Boys 3-2 thanks to goals from Nathan Clarke, Ray Harrison and James Howe to leave them top of Division Two (West).They face Woottons again at the weekend but are ensured of top spot over the festive period whatever the outcome.The club’s under-18s lost an incredible clash at Personal Best Soccer 7-5 after almost pulling off the comeback of all comebacks last Thursday.Despite being 5-1 down at Dereham Town’s Aldiss Park, they recovered to bring it back to five-all, only to concede twice again in a 12-goal thriller for those spectating.Ben Youngs with a brace, Oliver Cazot, Ryan Lake and Harry Curson-Pope (Pen) made up the balance.Swaffham’s first team, away to AFC Sudbury Reserves, had a similar outcome, despite going a goal up after eight minutes through Connor Pilbeam lashing home into the bottom corner of the net. By the 40th minute, the Pedlars found themselves 3-1 in arrears until Ethan Lloyd-Patrick picked up a spilt ball from a free-kick to net from seven yards in the last minute before the break. But what followed was a disastrous second half, giving away possession and not adapting to Sudbury’s long ball over the defence to finally go down 8-2.On Saturday, Whittlesey Athletic are the visitors to Uncle Luke’s Stadium and the need for points is now paramount for the Pedlars.A young Swaffham Town Reserves outfit crashed out of the Norfolk County Junior Cup following a 14-0 reverse at Norton Athletic. Nine of the Swaffham team were aged 18The only reasonable result of the weekend came at home with Brandon Town Reserves providing the opposition for the club’s A Team in the third round of the Ben Smith Memorial Cup. An exciting tie finished 3-3 after 90 minutes, Harry Exley (2) and Blake Davies finding the back of the net.The Pedlars however bowed out in true English fashion, 5-4 on penalties – their second cup exit from the spot this season.On Saturday, Taverham make the trip to Swaffham (2pm).