Dereham closed the gap on East Hockey League Premier Division leaders Cambridge City to just one point after winning 5-0 at Tunbridge Wells.For the first minute Dereham had to play defensively and Helen Macolmson saved a shot comfortably on the line.

Dereham closed the gap on East Hockey League Premier Division leaders Cambridge City to just one point after winning 5-0 at Tunbridge Wells.

For the first minute Dereham had to play defensively and Helen Macolmson saved a shot comfortably on the line.

When settled, Dereham then took over the possession and set Hannah Palmer up, who took a reverse-stick strike to give Dereham the 1-0 lead after only seven minutes.

The goal had unsettled the home side and within minutes, Evie van Poortfliet worked with Hannah to extend the lead to 2-0.

The next attack on goal grounded the Tunbridge keeper and Evie P was quick to react and slotted the ball into the net. Half-time came with Dereham in a comfortable 3-0 lead.

The second half didn't flow as easily and the umpires worked overtime. Dereham failed to score from three short corners and Tunbridge Wells managed an attack and a short corner.

The atmosphere was frustrating and one of the Dereham players was sent off with a yellow card. This did not dishearten the Dereham girls as they continuously attacked.

Defender Kath had three shots on the trot, one of which was converted with the help of van Poortfliet, to make the score 4-0.

When Dereham went back to 11 players, Tunbridge had to defend another three short corners which the visitors failed to convert.

Skilfully, in the final minute, Holly Allen finished the game at 5-0 with a smooth shot into the corner of the Tunbridge goal.

Player of the match went to Evie Settle for persistence and continuous pressure created in the opposition circle.

Next, Dereham have a Sunday Cup match against the national league squad Liverpool Sefton in the third round of the EH Knockout Cup. The match starts at 1.30pm, supporters are welcome.

The East Men's League League match at Dereham has been postponed due to Wisbech's involvement in the third round of the HA Cup on Sunday when they visit National League Premier outfit Southgate.

Dereham were again cursing their luck after their trip to Blueharts ended in a 3-0 defeat.

They had two 'goals' disallowed and a number of other opportunities were squandered.

Dereham started well, with captain Mark Timm and Mark Hunter dominating the centre of the pitch. Mike Timm had an early opportunity to break his duck for the season but shot just wide.

Then came the first of the disallowed efforts. Brothers Mark and Mike Timm combined well to pass around the Blueharts' keeper, and Mark was left with an open goal, when he was bundled off the ball by a defender.

As the two hit the deck, the ball rolled over the line, but Timm was adjudged to have helped it over with the back of his stick.

It was, however, Blueharts who took the lead with a crisply struck short corner low in to the bottom left hand corner. They doubled their advantage close to the break with a reverse stick shot which looped over the goalkeeper.

Dereham started the second half much the same as the first, piling on the pressure, but to no avail.

Bluehearts extended their lead midway through the second half, when their striker broke through and easily rounded Tom Vaughan to make it 3-0.

It was Dereham who finished the stronger side. They were awarded a penalty flick, which Andy Lawrence converted, but it was bizarrely disallowed.