Swaffham caught napping

Brantham Athletic 5 Swaffham Town 0

Travelling difficulties on the A14 saw a 10 minute delay to the kick off in this match, with the Pedlars having little time to prepare and warm up.

Brantham applied pressure from the start and demonstrated why they are league leaders. Their first came in the 10th minute, a goal mouth scramble, unable to be adequately cleared, an easy knock in for the Brantham No 10. The second came just two minutes later, Swaffham still recovering from the earlier shock. The Pedlars re-grouped, kept their heads up and fought back, with efforts by Richard Cornwall, Tom Rainford and Andrew Hunter but were dealt a further blow when key defender Stephen Thompson had to be substituted in the 40th minute with a pulled ham-string, Keith Polski his replacement.

An early second-half free-kick saw Polski's shot saved by the Brantham keeper, the ensuing break down the left side, crossed in and hit into his own net by Tom Rainford. Ben Russell combined well with Stuart Seales for Andrew Hunter to volley his shot straight into the keeper's arms. Brantham broke away, Lee Brooks saved well pushing the ball to the bar but leaving an easy tap-in for the host side in the 55th minute.

Swaffham continued to try for the for an opening and played some good one-touch football but the desired conclusion was always denied. Brantham hit their fifth in the 80th minute, following another fine save by Brooks.

Swaffham's man of the match, Lewis Hemeter, he didn't stop all game and demonstrated courage and conviction.

The first team host Godmanchester Rovers at Shoemakers Lane Tuesday evening, 7.45 pm kick off and travel to Great Yarmouth Town next Saturday 3pm kick off.

The Reserves, who won away at Thorpe Rovers 4-2 on Saturday, play Mattishall Reserves at Swaffham, 2.30 pm ko and the A team who held Hingham Reserves to a 1-1 draw in their Fen Regis Invitation Shield group match host Gressenhall on the Myers field 3pm ko.