Thetford Town earned local bragging rights by seeing off Swaffham Town in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

Swaffham were the quicker to settle and had their opportunities to hit the front but they couldn’t take advantage.

Thetford had a let-off midway through the first half when goalkeeper Scott Cruickshank deliberately handled outside of the area. With the crowd expecting the Thetford ‘keeper to be sent for an early bath the referee deemed the offence worthy of only a yellow card. Swaffham’s sense of frustration wasn’t helped when Mark Allibone was sent off for a second bookable offence and the Pedlars knew they had a mountain to climb. It looked like they had done enough to earn a replay but as time was running out Steve Crawshaw struck to send Thetford through. The Brecklanders will now face Norwich United at home on Saturday, August 30. They have league matters to attend to first and travel to Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Pedlars will have to rely on the FA Vase in their pursuit of Wembley although they face a tough draw in the first qualifying round against Yaxley on Saturday, September 6.

Swaffham’s reserves kicked off their season with a 5-1 win at home to Thorpe Village. Goals from Stephen Asprey, James Dougal, George Hutton and James Buhlemann (two), opening their account for the season’s campaign.