The development squad have played some excellent fixtures over the past few weeks and competed well with some professional clubs. After defeating an Ipswich Town development team at Aldiss Park, the away fixture against Colchester Centre of Excellence coincided with 6 of our players playing for Norfolk Schools under 16's. We were still able to compete very well against an excellently drilled team for the large part of the game before concedeing 3 goals in the last 10 minutes to lose 5-0.

The team also travelled to Ely to play a Soham Academy team and on an excellent 3G surface were able to play some excellent passing football and win the game with some very good goals. Cambridge Utd brought a development team to Aldiss Park including some trialists and although both sides will feel that the performance was scrappy, it was a very
competetive game that we edged 2-1.

Above all the player's football education has been exceptional both in terms of information they are receiving from coaches and also the standard of players they are competing against.This has resulted in two players being invited to a trial at championship club with an additional player drawing attention from another club in that division.

In the coming weeks fixture against Leyton Orient, Norwich City, Kings Lynn, Boston, Kettering and Toronto will provide additional tests as the players look to maintain their excellent development.

Tonight's (2nd Feb) Ridgeons Youth League fixture at Plantation Park, against Norwich United U18, is postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Gary Starling and Jay Eastoe-Smith were missing  but Matty Henman was able to field a strong looking side. In the 6th minute Ollie Willis made a strong run to just outside the box before being fouled but the referee allowed a good advantage that enabled Luke Hannant to strike a goalbound 20 yarder that forced visiting keeper Liam Elmer into a fine save at the expense of a corner. Michael Sommerfield came close to netting the resultant flag kick at the far post. Dereham went in front in the 13th minute Elmer made a great save to prevent a header from his own defender entering the net for an own goal but this time Michael Sommerfield made no mistake as he headed home the loose ball from close range. The Magpies continued to pass the ball well and create chances and it was not until 27th minute that Newmarket's George Daring tested Shaun Marshall with a low drive that drifted narrowly wide. Nathan Howard struck a well directed left footer which Elmer needed to be at full stretch to in order to save. Dereham were well on top at the break but only had the solitary goal to show for their efforts. It was more of the same after the restart with just a lack of quality in the final third preventing Dereham from increasing their lead. Nathan Howard headed over the top from pin point range in the 60th minute after Adam Smith had set him up. Newmarket keeper Elmer excelled again minutes later to keep out Sommerfield's close range header following Smith's corner from the right. Dereham won a fortuitous free kick just outside the box in the 75th minute. Luke Hannant's initial effort was blocked but after a series of ricochets Nathan Howard had the simple task of hammering the ball home from close range. Minutes later Dereham went three up when following a cross from the left a defender scored an own goal. In the 82th minute Nathan Howard headed home an Ollie Willis cross from the right to make it four. The Magpies registered their nap hand in the 87th minute when Sam Willis neatly slotted home from the edge of the box.

The next Race Night at Aldiss Park is on Saturday 17th March @ 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced £3.00 (members) and £4.00 (non-members) and include a buffet. "Come along and enjoy the fun".

Andy Cusack has returned to Walsham-le-Willows whilst Joe Marsden has moved to Acle United. We wish both players well for the future and thank them for their contribution to Dereham Town FC.

All at Dereham Town FC wish David Barnston a full and speedy recovery from his recent stroke.

David is currently recovering in the Rehabilitation Unit of the West Norwich Hospital.

Please note that there is no reduced addmission to these games. Entry will be £6/£3.

Dereham U16 v Peterborough U16
Dereham Town development squad performed excellently tonight in a home game against Peterborough Utd. In a game played at a very fast pace Dereham took the lead through Liam Upton and spent the majority of the first half defending well and looking to create attacking opportunties on the break.
In the second half Peterborough increased the tempo of their play and the Dereham players would have learnt a great deal from having to contend with their opponents passing and movement off the ball. Peterborough eventually equalised with 10 minutes to go and although Dereham created a handful of chances to regain the lead it was Peterborough who scored a late goal to win the game.

To play host to a professional clubs Centre of Excellence side was an large step forward in the development of the Dereham players and the club would like to thank Peterbourogh United for the fixture and for the impressive way they conducted themselves on and off the field.