Trophy triumph for Dereham

Dereham Wanderers U12 Girls travelled to Gorleston on Sunday to participate in their annual tournament. Having played in it for the first time last year as an U11 side and won it, it was a tournament that had been eagerly awaited by the players and their families.

Dereham Wanderers U12 Girls travelled to Gorleston on Sunday to participate in their annual tournament.

Having played in it for the first time last year as an U11 side and won it, it was a tournament that had been eagerly awaited by the players and their families.

The tournament started slowly and, in fact, the girls lost their first game 1-0 to Witnesham Wasps, a good team from near Ipswich and then drew their next game 0-0 against Copleston Girls.

Wanderers' third game saw them come against Horsford and gave them their first win and a confidence boosting 5-0 score line provided a timely boost as goal difference could prove vital in a tight group.

A game against Shrublands meant Dereham came across a player very well known to them, Merrick of North Walsham was representing them, and was always a major threat and helped Shrublands to a 1-0 victory.

Defeat left qualification for the semi-finals still possible but they knew that they would have to improve and improve they did.

A good draw against a strong Bohemians team followed by two victories against Waveney Girls and Gorleston Rangers ensured a fourth place finish and progression to the semi-finals.

First versus fourth meant a re-match with Merrick and her Shrublands team.

It was another terrific game and both teams gave everything, Dereham grabbed the all-important goal with just a couple of minutes remaining and managed to hang on to reach the final, that earlier looked almost impossible to reach.

In the other semi final Bohemians won through in a penalty shoot out, but only after the first 14 penalties had been saved or missed before the keeper scored the decisive kick to put Bohemians through.

The final was another close and fiercely contested game, Dereham came close but the Bohs' keepers made a magnificent triple save before the ball got fired over the bar.

It was 0-0 after full time and a period of extra time failed to provide a goal so it was down to another penalty shoot-out.

To the delight of Dereham's players they won this shoot-out 1-0 and claimed the winners' trophies for a second consecutive year. All the dads in attendance could not have celebrated Father's Day any better.

Squad: Chantelle Dwyer(G), Ellen Davies, Sarah Holland, Avalon Murfet, Georgy Bemrose, Paige Hill, Joy Farrell, Chelsea Vallis and Alanta Griffith.