Dereham Town left their league form behind as they progressed to the semi-final of the Ashton's Legal Norfolk Senior Cup with a dominant performance - seeing off Thetford Town 3-1 at Aldiss Park.
The Magpies came into the game on the back of eight games without a win, with a seven-game losing streak - however, the team’s performance wouldn’t suggest it.
In the fifth minute, Oli Yun made a run into the box but fired over Thetford keeper Macauley Rodgers’s bar. Dereham midfielder Joe Gascoigne then put Ryan Swift through - but his shot was wayward.
As the home pressure continued, Swift played a ball to Luke Johnson, who was thwarted by a great tackle from Thetford’s Matt Morton. Johnson then had a low drive saved by Rodgers.
Strikers Johnson and Swift combined to set up Kia Thurston, who hit the bar from the edge of the box as the Magpies struggled to convert their dominance to goals.
READ MORE: Dereham FC go down to playoff-chasing Corby at Aldiss Park
Some may have thought it was set to be one of those nights for The Magpies - however, their dominance was finally rewarded in the 24th minute. Yun slipped through Luke Johnson who made no mistake from close range to give Dereham the lead before half-time.
Thetford’s Nathan Clarke had a header blocked - but the visitors were soon on level terms when Emmanuel Machay finished from close range after a Thetford break.
The goal spurred the visitors on, but the Magpies regained the lead four minutes later after Johnson sped down the right and cut inside before crossing to the far post, where Danno White netted his first goal.
Dereham won a free kick just outside the box in the 70th minute. Luke Johnson slammed the ball home for his second of the night to extend the lead - with The Magpies seeing out the remaining 20 minutes.
Dereham will meet Wroxham at the FDCon April 4.
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