Dereham Men’s 1st XI 4 Havering 2

Dereham continued their impressive home form with another victory at Greenfields on Saturday. Havering were the visitors on Saturday, and with them languishing at the bottom of the table it was vital that the home team took advantage and claimed all 3 points.

They started strongly, and were on the front foot as the visitors tactics were to sit back and soak up as much pressure as possible. Dereham had to adjust to the tactics, and do much of the front running. They created early chances, and Ric Timm came the closest, drawing a fantastic save from the home goalkeeper. It was in fact Mark hunter who broke the deadlock with another unstoppable short corner drag flick. Dereham were well in control of the game, but unable to add any further to their tally, and before the half time break, Havering drew level. A break from midfield resulted in a goal line scramble, and a Dereham foot stopped the ball on the line. The resulting flick was converted, and the scores were level at half time.

The second half followed much the same path as the first, and Dereham were pressing forwards to regain the lead. Ric Timm was at the centre of all attacks, and the pace in the Dereham front line was proving too much for the Havering defence. Timm broke free, and beat a couple of players before seeing his shot stopped illegally on the line, resulting in a penalty flick. Hunter stepped up and showed huge composure despite the time wasting and histrionics from the veteran Havering player, to dispatch calmly into the top corner.

Dereham doubled their lead when Michael Timm latched on to Mark Braybrook’s through ball, and coolly slotted his shot home through the goalkeepers legs. Almost immediately Havering struck back, when a hopeful ball was launched into the D, and the deflection flew in to the top corner, setting up what could have been a tense 10 minutes. The Timm brothers were able to calm the nerves combining in the D for Michael to add his second goal, and ensure the 3 points belonged to the home team.