Thetford lead the way after fine win

Thetford Town kick-started their Ridgeons Division One campaign with a fine 3-0 victory over March Town United which sees them go top of the table.Thetford manager Mark Scott said it was a measure of the progress of his new squad that it was such a comfortable win over a side which had done the double over Town the previous season.

Thetford Town kick-started their Ridgeons Division One campaign with a fine 3-0 victory over March Town United which sees them go top of the table.

Thetford manager Mark Scott said it was a measure of the progress of his new squad that it was such a comfortable win over a side which had done the double over Town the previous season.

“Very good start wasn't it,” he laughed. “It puts us top of the league, it's a new feeling for us.

“It's very pleasing just to have the result. Our feet are firmly on the floor - we have had a great start but have got a lot more to do. Our ambition is top six and I think we can achieve that,” he added.

March had a player sent off when Thetford were 2-0 up thanks to Andrew Wood and Aaron Piggott.

Then in the second half Danny Tanti wrapped up victory when he netted, close range after a corner.

Scott said the score could have been six if a Matt Dixon penalty and several one-on-ones had been converted. “But overall, it was a very pleasing performance,” he added.

Thetford's next game is on Tuesday night against Diss, who were defeated 4-2 by visitors Saffron Walden on Saturday. Scorers for the Tangerines were S Garner and J Rocastle.

Meanwhile, Gorleston were 2-0 winners at Cornard with Mitch Forbes and Danny Mitchell, who came on as a substitute for Forbes in the second half, netting for the coastal side.

And last season's basement side Fakenham Town, who have struggled for several season, will be delighted to have bagged a point on the first day of the season, with a 1-1 draw with visitors Halstead.

Swaffham Town scored twice in a spirited battle against visitors Ipswich Wanderers but found that wasn't enough to get any points as the Suffolk side netted four times.

Both sides were much changed since last season and although new keeper Dean Mayes made a good save for Swaffham early he could not stop them opening the scoring soon afterwards.

A mixture of experience and youth saw the Pedlars equalise in the 18th minute, captain David Spalding putting through Joe Jackson who finished convincingly.

Ipswich scored three more but the Pedlars continued their spirited battle and never put their heads down, this was repaid when a great over-head kick by Joe Jackson was pushed onto the bar by the keeper but the follow-up header by Scott Voutt saw the second for the Pedlars.

Other results on the opening day of the Ridgeons Division One season saw Godmanchester Rovers lose 1-0 to visitors Whitton United while Stowmarket and new side Cambridge University Press shared the honours with a 1-1 draw and hosts Team Bury were 1-0 winners over Downham.