Swaffham Reserves 2, Bradenham 5BRADENHAM didn't have a scheduled game on Saturday but were at Swaffham the previous Tuesday for a Dolphin Auto's Anglian Combination Division Three game.

Swaffham Reserves 2, Bradenham 5

BRADENHAM didn't have a scheduled game on Saturday but were at Swaffham the previous Tuesday for a Dolphin Auto's Anglian Combination Division Three game.

The visitors kicked off defending the slope with the driving rain in their faces. The home sided belied their lowly league position and exerted pressure from the start. The defence held firm and a breakaway in the eighth minute brought about the first goal as John Allison raced away from the last defender and coolly slotted home.

With 10 minutes on the clock, Wanderers broke again and Ricky Forder from just inside the box slotted home. Play was end-to-end in the tricky conditions and from a shot from the edge of the box from Swaffham saw keeper Findlay get down well to his left to stop a shot but only managed to push it into the path of a home forward who made no mistake from four yards.

This spurred the home side on and within minutes were level from the spot when a penalty was given for handball against an unlucky Les Tufts who also picked up a harsh booking for the offence.

From the kick off Bradenham pressed forward with Nathen Ferguson picking up the ball just outside the box. He went on a mazy run and his shot saw the ball find the bottom corner of the net. Again more pressure from Swaffham but Bradenham held onto the lead going in at half-time.

The Bulldogs came out for the second half in a calmer mood and set about the home defence from the off. Within 15 minutes the game was virtually over as Ferguson was fouled in the area and the spot kick was confidently placed into the top corner by Chris Miller.

Then from an accurate Miller cross from the right, Craig Foster got in front of the last defender to head home.

Bradenham then made changes which included Luke Smith and Ashley Gilbert, both young players that have been showing up well in the reserve side, and the experienced Karl Sexton for his return after a few weeks out. All three subs settled in well.

On Saturday it's back to the Junior Cup with a visit to Newton Flotman, kick off 1.45, players to meet at Dereham Fire Station 12.15.