Chris Lakey Dereham begin their quest for a return to Carrow Road as the Norfolk Senior Cup welcomes Ridgeons League teams this weekend.The Magpies were winners in 2006 and 2007, but saw Wroxham take their crown last season - with losing finalists Sheringham proving that the county's senior knockout competition isn't just for the "big boys".

Chris Lakey

Dereham begin their quest for a return to Carrow Road as the Norfolk Senior Cup welcomes Ridgeons League Premier Division teams this weekend.

The Magpies were winners in 2006 and 2007, but saw Wroxham take their crown last season - with losing finalists Sheringham proving that the county's senior knockout competition isn't just for the "big boys".

It's a first return to Dereham for their former manager, Rob Taylor, who, when he was in charge at Aldiss Park last season, guided the Magpies to a 5-4 extra-time win at Brewers Green Lane.

Dereham boss Matty Henman will be without Chris Bacon, who is ineligible, but adds Ben Furlong, Paul Atkins, Scott Roberts and Joel Brien to his squad for today's third round tie.

"This is obviously a competition that we want to win, but Diss will make it hard for us and we will have to be at our best," he said. "We need to bounce back from our defeat at Ely."

Dereham are second in the Ridgeons Premier and should be favourites, but Diss have turned the form book upside down this season and could spring a surprise. Most clubs in their position might be happy to get a replay, but the Tangerines' contrasting home and away records suggest otherwise - they have won five of their last six games on the road but lost their last four at home.

There's an all-Premier tie at Plantation Park, where Norwich United play King's Lynn Reserves, while Sheringham are at home to First Division Thetford. Yarmouth are at home to Acle while Holt and Hindringham go head to head.

Fakenham are at home to Loddon United, and will be hoping that their first league win of the season last weekend will be just the boost they need against the team which dumped them out of the competition last season.

Another plus for the Ghosts, who have seen several players leave Clipbush Park, is striker Karl Pask's decision to stay with the club, despite an approach from former club Thetford. Fakenham are second from bottom of Division One and before last weekend's 4-0 thrashing of Long Melford had lost 10.

In league action, Lowestoft have more injury problems for the trip to struggling Woodbridge. The Blues were already without five players and their problems mounted when they lost Marcus Saunders after 15 minutes of the midweek thrashing of Needham Market -Richard Woodrow following him late in the game. Craig Lewis, Carl Poppy, Matty Potter and Darren and Dale Cockrill are all definitely out, while striker Russell Stock is struggling.

"Marcus and Woody have both been having treatment since Tuesday night, and it will be a late decision on them," said joint manager Micky Chapman. "Woodbridge are a good young side who caused us problems at Crown Meadow."

Kirkley & Pakefield face a Wisbech side being led by Gary Setchell following the departure of manager Steve Taylor while in Division One, Swaffham entertain neighbours Downham.