IAN CLARKE Dereham Town chairman George Hayes hopes for a Norfolk Senior Cup victory and a finish “well up in the top half” of the Ridgeons League to cap a memorable 12 months for the club.

IAN CLARKE

Dereham Town chairman George Hayes hopes for a Norfolk Senior Cup victory and a finish “well up in the top half” of the Ridgeons League to cap a memorable 12 months for the club.

At the start of 2005 when manager Robert Taylor took over, the first team faced a tough fight against relegation from the premier league.

But a year on and having survived in the top flight last season, the Magpies are preparing for the first ever appearance in a Carrow Road cup final in April as well as being placed comfortably in 12th in the table.

And with eight of the last 13 league games at Aldiss Park, Hayes is hopeful of pushing further up the league.

The team extended its undefeated run to eight league and cup games with a hard fought draw at high flying Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday.

Another title contender Bury Town - currently in third place - visit Dereham this Saturday to provide another test for Taylor's players.

Hayes said: “As I stated just before the New Year, in terms of the year so far we have to be very satisfied with the progress that's been made and the overall results achieved to date.

“Whatever happens for the rest of the season we've certainly achieved a great deal in a short period of time. In terms of the future, I'd like to think that we can continue to improve on our current league position and finish well up in the top half of the table by the end of the season and link that to a Norfolk Senior Cup victory in the final at Carrow Road in April.”