Dereham Town FC beat Mundford at home 3-1

Excellent goalkeeping from Mundford’s Callum Hunt helped to keep the score line down. Jordan Buttle flicked an effort wide in the opening minute after two crisp passes from Jamie North.

A defensive error then let Mundford’s Gheorghe Vacarciv in, but home keeper Tom Coombe saved with his legs.

In the 10th minute, Jordan Lake found Mac Gee on the left whose cross flew to safety at the far post.

Minutes later Buttle delivered a pacey ball across the goalmouth which no one could finish.

Dereham made the breakthrough when Buttle passed inside to Brad Spooner who beat his man in the box and hit a powerful drive that Mundford keeper Callum Hunt could only palm out to Rhys Logan who netted from close range in the 15th minute.

Dereham continued to press and visiting keeper Hunt made a fine double save to deny Spooner and then Rhys Logan.

The Magpies increased their lead in the 27th minute following a quick break.

Buttle raced forward and pulled the ball back to Robbie Sweeney who had burst forward from the centre of the pitch, and he slotted home from 12 yards out.

Dereham should have added to their tally in the 35th minute after Spooner had laid the ball back to Logan, who ballooned over from point-blank range.

Mundford’s Carlos Rocha had sight of goal in the 41st minute but curled his shot way off target from 20 yards.

Shortly before the half ended, Buttle and Spooner combined with the latter failing to hit the target from close range.

The Magpies created another great chance straight after the restart.

A superb interchange of passes between Logan and Buttle set Sweeney up but his close range effort was blocked.

Dereham upped the intensity of their game as they looked to wear down their opponents.

They were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute when Jamie North headed around a defender and looked to net before being cynically fouled in the box.

Surprisingly no card was given to the defender. Brad Spooner made no mistake from the spot for Dereham’s third goal.

Mundford soon pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute when Charlie Goodchild scored with a looping header at the far post from a cross from the left.

Dereham made a triple substitution to introduce fresh legs. Sweeney blazed wide after turning outside his man before Mac Gee slipped the ball down the byline to Charlie Clarke who chipped an inviting ball across the face of the goal but no one was on hand to finish.

In the 75th minute Lake went on a mazy run which took him into the box, but his shot lacked any power to trouble Hunt.

Minutes later Mundford keeper Hunt made a magnificent save to keep out Clarke’s goal bound left foot drive.

Joe Gascoigne found Sweeney on the left with a fine reverse pass. He passed inside to Lake, who fired off target from 20 yards. The visitors created a chance in the 84th minute, with Coombe diving full length to save Rocha’s well struck drive.

The Magpies were soon threatening again and Hunt saved from Logan, with Sweeney firing the rebound over from point-blank range.

In added time man of the match Hunt made another fine save to deny Clarke by his near post. 

Match report by Rene Kendal