Magpies back on song

Dereham Town failed to respond to their FA Cup exit in the way manager Matt Henman had hoped when they turned back to league action on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at Wivenhoe. But they impressed Tuesday night with a 3-0 home win over Mildenhall when, keeper Shaun Marshall made to penalty saves.

“Having had the disappointment of the previous week's defeat by King's Lynn in the FA Cup it was important that we got back to winning ways at Wivenhoe,” said Henman.

“Unfortunately there could not have been a bigger contrast to the previous week's atmosphere and playing surface, and it was near impossible to play any sort of constructive football,” he said. “After a scrappy start to the game we gained some control and were unlucky to go in on level terms.

“The second half continued in the same vain, and although we created some good chances we couldn't take any and had to be satisfied with an away point.

“Adam Smith and Sam Willis, who have both had great starts to the season, were not fit enough to start and this, coupled with the injuries to Jay Eastoe and Matthew Cross, meant that we lined up with several changes,” said Henman.

“Olly Thomson, who is 18, and Lewis Wallace, 17, both made starts and had excellent games; Ian Morgan and Kyle Downes both completed their first 90 minutes for the club - and so several positives came out of the game and we remained unbeaten in the league.”

Nicky Howell has had keyhole surgery on his knee and should be back in training in three weeks.

On Tuesday, Adam Gusterson volleyed the Magpies ahead after eight minutes and early second half Danny Beaumont chipped the second over the keeper, followed by a Sam Willis goal.

Marshall saved spot-kicks in the 70th and 85th minutes.

That puts Dereham third in the table with 20 points from eight games, behind Kirkley & Pakefield (22 from 11) and CRC (22 from 10).

On Saturday, the Magpies travel to Ely City.