Dereham Men's 1st XI 4, Ipswich 0

Dereham ensured a record-breaking season with victory over Ipswich on Sunday.

The three points meant that Dereham have recorded the highest points tally in the East Men's League Premier A Division in the club's history.

Dereham heaped further misery on an Ipswich side who had already conceded 10 the previous day.

Both sides started with real intent and purpose. Ipswich pressed the home team back into their own half, but were unable to find a way past the Dereham defence into the D. As frustration began to grow for the visitors, the home team were able to assert their own pressure, and took the lead through a solo goal from Ric Timm who was able to round two defenders on the byline before slotting it easily past the goalkeeper.

Dereham doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Mark Hunter's drag flick went right between the Ipswich keeper's legs.

Ipswich started to assert further pressure on the Dereham defence which held strong, limiting the visitors to one opportunity towards the end of the half which was easily dealt with by Tom Vaughan in the Dereham goal.

In the second half, the visitors once again pressed early but to no avail. They were soon to wilt, and Dereham were in the mood to take advantage. As Michael Timm ran into the D, the defence managed to tackle him, but the ball broke free. Will Edwards was first to react, and took it back into the D before slotting home for just his second goal of the season.

Dereham's fourth goal came from one of the moves of the season with incredible first touch hockey. Mark Braybrook sent an aerial pass forward, and Richard Stainthorpe laid it off to Ric Timm, who buried it first time leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Timm came close to completing his hat-trick soon afterwards, only to see his shot go narrowly over the bar.

St Albans 2, Dereham Men's 1st XI 1

Dereham were on the wrong side of a close game on Saturday as they made the long journey to St Albans.

The home team started strongly, but found it difficult to break down the resolute Dereham defence. With 15 minutes on the clock, St Albans were awarded a short corner, and the drag flick from the top was enough to break the deadlock.

Dereham battled back and created a number of chances, and eventually won a short corner of their own. The initial shot was saved, but the clearance fell to Richard Stainthorpe who buried the rebound shortly before the halfway point.

Both sides had players sent to the sin bin, but it was while Dereham were reduced to 10 men that St Albans scored the winning goal.

Dereham had one last chance at the final whistle with a short corner, but the keeper saved the drag flick.