15th November 1997: Willingham (H) Lost 2-3

Report by Rob Worrall:

Following on from the heavy defeat at high flyers Hemingford, this match also began poorly for Paxton as they found themselves 3-0 down within half an hour!
However, a second half fightback pointed the way to better times ahead! Rob Worrall, making his debut headed the ball out wide to Kev Taylor, another new boy and his cross was met by Danny Plumb to make it 3-1. Skipper Wayne Humphrey pulled back a second goal for Paxton but although more chances were created by the home side, Willingham held on to take all 3 points.

22nd November 1997: Earith (A) Lost 0-2

Report by Rob Worrall:

Paxton's interest in all Cup competitions came to an end well before Christmas with this defeat at lowly Earith, who had won just 2 leagues games all season. In truth though, the game was pretty close and for much of it they pushed hard for an equaliser to Earith's early strike, only for the home side to wrap things up with a late second goal.

The game was marred by a rather bizarre incident in the first half involving Manager Mark Spavins and defender Phil Darby. What began as a heated exchange of words, turned into physical violence as Darby raced 30 yards to exchange punches with Spavins.

After the game, Spavins apologised to his players and offered his resignation to Chairman Tony Wink. This was not accepted (so it's your fault Tony!) and unsurprisingly Darby was not seen in the first team again for some considerable time!

29th November 1997: Milton (H) Won 3-1

Report by Rob Worrall:

It could be argued that this game marked the beginning of a new era at the club, as recent signings Kev Taylor and Rob Worrall, were joined by Simon Anderson, who like Worrall had joined from Premier League side, Waterbeach. Another debutant was 6' 3" West Indian defender B.J.

Paxton took the lead after 20 minutes thanks to a Worrall header, his first goal for the club. The home side continued to dominate but Milton hit back on the break and pulled level. Still in the first half, a strike that would rarely be seen again over the next few years, a 30 yard half volley by Worrall, which flew over the perplexed Milton keeper and into the net. Only minutes later Anderson got in on the act, hooking in a volley from a tight angle for a debut goal. Paxton continued to dominate after the break but failed to take any more of the many chances they created.

6th December 1997: West Row (H) Lost 2-4

Report by Rob Worrall:

It was difficult to believe that Paxton actually lost this match, given that they totally dominated it for over an hour. We turned round 1-0 up thanks to a Rob Worrall strike and the opening 20 minutes of the second half were scoreless until the visitors ran riot in a fifteen minute spell when they scored 4 times. Simon Anderson, quickly to become known simply as "Geordie", pulled a goal back as Paxton finished strongly but the damage had already been done.

13th December 1997: Willingham (A) Drew 1-1

Report by Rob Worrall:

Another improved performance from Great Paxton but they left it incredibly late to secure a point! Manager Mark Spavins sent the team out in a 4-5-1 formation and the players adapted quickly to it, taking the game to Willingham in the first half. Unfortunately though, despite creating several chances and hitting the woodwork twice, Paxton had nothing to show for the first half efforts. Willingham came much more into the game after the break and took the lead midway through the second half. They could have increased their lead but for some outstanding goalkeeping from Simon Oxborough. Then came the moment that 16 year old Andrew Conway will never forget. Three minutes into injury time Conway, on as a substitute, bundled in the equaliser to earn his side a well deserved point.

20th December 1997: Waterbeach Res. (H) Won 4-2

Report by Rob Worrall:

Talk about a roller coaster ride! Having taken the lead through a Rob Worrall strike, Paxton proceeded to throw it away and then go 2-1 down to a poor Waterbeach side. However, this Paxton side was starting to show a new self belief and turned things round again, eventually recording a comfortable victory. Lee Clutterbuck levelled the scores and when Worrall was upended in the box, Simon Salisbury slammed home the resultant spot-kick. Manager Mark Spavins rounded off the scoring with a bullet header from close range.

27th December 1997: Earith Utd. (H) Lost 2-3

Report by Rob Worrall:

Although Paxton were at last beginning to find the net on a regular basis, they were leaking goals at the other end and on this occasion were on the wrong end of a 7 goal thriller! The signs looked worrying when Geordie, Kev Taylor and Duffy all pulled out on the day and got worse when the referee failed to show.

The Earith Chairman claimed to be a qualified referee and in the absence of the match official both sides agreed the show must go on. Incredibly, he then awarded his side not one, but two, highly debatable penalties and they cruised to a 4-1 half time lead. Tony Knowles had scored the Paxton goal and he was again involved as the referee went on to award two less debatable penalties for the home side. Simon Salisbury calmly slotted home both spot-kicks but despite a late Paxton onslaught, Earith held on for only their third league win of the season.

10th January 1998: Fulbourn Hospital (H) Won 5-1

Report by Rob Worrall:

This was a dire game, played in boggy conditions, but at least Paxton went on to record a comfortable home win. The first goal was a long time coming, with Simon Salisbury missing a twice taken penalty and Rob Worrall seeing his header from an acute angle, cannon back off an upright. Finally the deadlock was broken with a route one goal, Worrall heading on an Oxborough goal kick to Tony Knowles whose pace took him clear and he lobbed the visiting keeper. The second half was a poor spectacle apart from a fifteen minute spell in which Paxton wrapped the game up thanks to a brace apiece from John Huddy and Simon Anderson.

28th March 1998: Fordham (A) Won 1-0

This game will be instantly memorable for many Paxton followers! Indeed it must go down as one of the great results in the clubs history! Fordham had run away with the league and sat 21 points clear at the start of the game, but , incredibly we completed a double over them thanks to the narrowest of victories!