Downham Town 2, Swaffham Town 4

Swaffham carried home the points in this first league derby meeting of the season.

Playing against the wind, Swaffham started the stronger, an early run by Scott Voutt setting Joe Jackson free on the right wing, the resultant cross cleared.

A free-kick awarded in the third minute, taken by Will O’Brien, headed just wide by David Spalding.

A minute later, a further kick was floated in by Dwayne Hockton, poorly cleared by Downham and Jack Redhead’s shot deflected for a corner.

Spalding was again unlucky, his shot from O’Brien’s corner, cleared from the line, the captain setting the format for his team.

Downham gave as good as they got, several attempts at goal, all dealt with by the Pedlars defence, the only one to challenge keeper Dean Mayes, pushed over the bar for a corner.

The first goal had to wait until the last minute of the half, good work by Spalding to set Joe Jackson through, brought down in the box for a penalty.

Jackson scored, only to have the kick retaken for encroachment but with nerves of steel he made sure for the second time.

An extraordinary ricocheted deflected shot in the first minute of the re-start, saw Mayes wrong-footed and Downham draw level and then take the lead from a penalty in the 65th minute.

The Pedlars had to draw on all of their character to come back from this shock overturn, the equaliser came in the 70th minute, a great ball in from substitute Craig Burton, met by the head of Scott Voutt.

A further penalty awarded to Swaffham in the 79th minute, Jackson netted his second with a perfect placement, leaving the keeper without a chance.

The final goal came in the 82nd, Jackson claiming his hat-trick, a superbly floated shot, beating the keeper to the top right corner – the perfect end to the afternoon for Swaffham, the three points taking them out of the bottom three.

The Pedlars travel to Long Melford next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

The Reserves and A-team are both at home, entertaining Blofield United Reserves and Tacolneston respectively, both kick-off’s are 2pm.

Thursday this week (20/01/11) the Ridgeons U18s play at home to Watton Juniors, kick off 7.45pm.

A repeat performance from last week is not anticipated but cannot be completely ruled out.They were 3-0 down to Wisbech St. Mary at half time to end up 7-3 winners – some half-time team talk!