After three comfortable wins in pre-season friendlies, Dereham Ladies Colts faced a well-organised and experienced Denver side away at RAF Marham.In the last two seasons, Dereham lost the away matches so this was going to be a very tough test in their first league game of the season.

After three comfortable wins in pre-season friendlies, Dereham Ladies Colts faced a well-organised and experienced Denver side away at RAF Marham.

In the last two seasons, Dereham lost the away matches so this was going to be a very tough test in their first league game of the season.

With captain Heather Morgan unavailable, Rachel Lavers donned the captain's armband and led from the start with a team including a handful of players making their league debut at this level.

Despite Colts' match plan, Denver scored within three minutes with a rapid set of passes out of defence and a firm shot that beat keeper Zoe Taylor. Dereham regrouped and soon played themselves back into the game.

After sustained pressure on the Denver defence, debutante Hannah Tarry dribbled into the D and shot past the keeper to level the score.

However, Denver increased the pressure on a young team and went ahead from a well worked short corner and added another as the game approached half-time.

Despite the hot conditions, Dereham fought back and after much pressure brought the score to 2-3 at half-time with a goal from Rachel Lavers.

Dereham roared forward from the start of the second half and made several chances from open play and short corners but were unable to convert any.

However, the break through came when another sustained attack led to the umpire awarding a penalty flick. The score was levelled at 3-3 following a confident flick by Helen Kiddle-Morris. As the game progressed and with Dereham's superior fitness began to tell, Denver went ahead 4-3 after another fast break.

However, the team didn't let heads drop and after more pressure led to another short corner, Alexandra Seaman levelled the score and the game finished 4-4 with Dereham gaining their first point of the season - a great result to have kept Denver to a draw.

Ben Burgess awarded the player of the match trophy to Helen Kiddle-Morris for some vital tackles in defence and scoring from the penalty spot.

The Colts now have three more league games at home, starting with UEA II at 10.30 on October 4.