Swaffham Town 1 Godmanchester 6

PAUL HUNT blooded two more of his Swaffham Town babes on Saturday. And despite ending on the end of a six-goal scoreline he again had a reason to be proud of all of his rising stars.

The result belies the fact that the Pedlars were leading until five minutes before the interval, when the title chasing visitors equalised with a controversial penalty – before going in front within a minute.

“The referee went to the linesman to check and even he said he didn’t think it was a penalty,” said Hunt.

“I’m not going to say that Godmanchester didn’t deserve to win because they did. They are a very good side. But we were comfortable until that happened and it did change the complexion of the game.

“After the game their manager said we were the best footballing side they’ve played all season, which was a nice compliment. He said anyone looking at the result would think we’d smashed you when that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Hunt gave a first senior start to 16-year-old Toby Hilliard up front and a debut as substitute to full-back Liam Reed, also 16.

“Neither of them did their reputations any harm,” said Hunt. “Toby’s a good footballer with the right mentality, which is what we’re looking for above other things.

“I think Liam has a lot of quality as well as a nailed on attitude. He wants to do well and he will.”

Swaffham soon let their high-flying hosts know they were in a game, Alex Vincent coming close in the third minute.

The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute when an attempted clearance from the home centre-back defender hit the bar and Joe Jackson followed up to score.

Two minutes later Hilliard had a chance to mark his big day with a goal when he volleyed wide after some great inter-play to set up the chance.

Even after the double set-back which left Swaffham trailing their almost equalised before the interval when Jack Redhead just over following more good build up play.

Rovers made it 3-1 five minutes into the second half with a simple tap-in following a free-kick. Goals four and five came in the 60th and 62nd minutes, slack marking and a fortunate fall of the ball, punishing the Pedlars.

Swaffham rallied in the last twenty minutes and tightened their game but never produced the final strike to convert the attempt.

Godmanchester made it six in the fifth minute of added time, the damage already done. They now trail leaders Thetford, who beat Debenham 5-1, on goal difference.