Dereham Town 2, Hadleigh United 0

Sunday, January 15, 2012
12:11 PM

New signing Michael Sommerfield made his debut in the Magpies defence.

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Dereham made a positive start, winning a free-kick in an advanced position and a corner, but neither troubled the Essex side.

The home side took the lead in the 13th minute with an awesome strike from Billy Smith. Hadleigh keeper Daniel Heath failed to intercept a Gary Starling free kick from the left and the ball was headed out to Smith who hammered a blistering drive into the net via the left hand post.

Starling nearly caught out Heath with a 30-yard free kick before the full back delivered another free kick into the visitors’ defence which, after a series of ricochets new boy Sommerfield forced the ball home to increase Dereham’s lead in the 24th minute.

The Magpies continued to press with Hadleigh not proving a threat to Shaun Marshall’s goal. On half-time Hadleigh forward Ollie Canfer headed over the top when well placed, but Dereham enjoyed a commanding lead.

The visitors increased their workrate at the start of the second period and Chris McLauhghlin headed a cross from Jack Cawley wide in the 55th minute.

Play remained open but there were few chances on goal, with defences remaining on top. In the 72nd minute a strong run by Starling nearly unlocked the visitors’ defence before Ollie Willis made good ground into the box but shoot way off target with his weaker left foot.

Some over zealous challenges broke up Dereham’s flow in the second half but their first half dominance gave them the points.