Viv Thomas The mid-table derby encounter between Thetford Town and Swaffham Town will be a key game in Ridgeons Division One this afternoon.Although visitors Swaffham are three places higher in the table in 10th position, Thetford go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Long Melford while the Pedlars lost 7-0 to Whitton United last weekend.

Viv Thomas

The mid-table derby encounter between Thetford Town and Swaffham Town will be a key game in Ridgeons Division One this afternoon.

Although visitors Swaffham are three places higher in the table in 10th position, Thetford go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Long Melford while the Pedlars lost 7-0 to Whitton United last weekend.

Thetford have played one game fewer and if they beat their near neighbours at Mundford Road today they would also end up on 17 points, and there's not much to separate the teams through goal difference at the moment.

Several Ridgeons clubs are taking a break from the league to play FA Vase ties today - Dereham, Wroxham, Halstead and Kirkley & Pakefield.

Dereham travel to Newport Pagnell, who play in the United Counties League, in good spirits on the back of two good results and a week off to allow players to recover from knocks and injuries.

Magpies' manager Matt Henman said: 'We took the opportunity to watch our opponents last week and although we're expecting a tough game, if we play well we have a great chance of progressing.”

Adam Smith, Craig Terrington and Stuart Williams all return, but Jay Eastoe-Smith remains out injured and Ben Latimer has not shaken off the ankle injury sustained in a county youth match.

Wroxham will fancy their chances to progress against Ridgeons Division One side Halstead Town, while Kirkley & Pakefield will have a tough test at higher-league Biggleswade, who play in the Zamaretto League.

In Division One, second-placed Yarmouth host Whitton United, five places below them in the table, and if they win they will go top as leaders FC Clacton are not playing.

Diss Town, currently fourth, entertain March Town United who are just two places further down.

At the other end of the table, struggling Fakenham Town, who have yet to gain a point, have a great chance to get off the mark as they are facing Long Melford, who are just one place above them with only four points to their name.

Gorleston travel to Godmanchester Rovers for a mid-table clash, Downham Town visit Ipswich Wanderers, who are one place lower, Cornard United host Brantham Athletic, and Stowmarket Town entertain Saffron Walden.

In the Premier Division, Norwich United travel to Debenham LC for the first ever competitive meeting between the clubs. Darren Coe, Damian Hilton and Jake McCabe should all return to the squad after illness. Gavin Frost is a doubt due to illness and Chris Squires is on holiday. Youth team players Sam Goff and Jordan Southgate have been called into the squad.

Mildenhall Town visit Walsham-le-Willows and King's Lynn Reserves travel to Harwich & Parkeston, who are propping up the table with just one point.