By Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn Town 3, Dereham Town 2

King's Lynn joint boss Gary Setchell was delighted with the reaction of his senior men in Friday night's competitive friendly victory over Norfolk rivals Dereham.

Setchell critised the club's established players during the patchy midweek friendly win over Newmarket but Lynn hit back well after Kenny Reeves had deservedly put the Magpies ahead before the interval.

Ross Watson levelled on the restart and Pat Bexfield lashed a long range strike past John Higgs to put Lynn in front.

Reeves' close range header restored parity until Steve Spriggs fired underneath Higgs following excellent build up play from Jamie Thurlbourne and Jack Defty.

'I'm really happy with that,' said Setchell. 'After what happened Tuesday night we spoke to the lads and although in the first half perhaps we showed Dereham too much respect, the ones we'd criticised came on and did the business.

'Pat went into midfield and did excellently. Jack and Jamie showed if they work hard they have the sort of quality that can kill teams at this level.

'In the second half we looked really solid. We knew Dereham really keep the ball well and would make the pitch big so we needed to put the lads through the gears. We started off with easier games, now we've played two top Ridgeons sides and next week we are going levels above that with Histon and Bedford.

'The lads have to take responsibility away from the games and make sure they are working on their fitness levels. We have slaughtered them for it but I felt they responded well.'

Magpies' counterpart Matty Henman was pleased with some of Dereham's younger talents who proved more than matched the Linnets.

'We probably had four or five lads who weren't involved in this game and that has been the story of our pre-season,' he said. 'But the likes of Sam Pledger, who is only 16, came in and I thought was outstanding. He is getting experience against the likes of King's Lynn and Bury the other night. Whilst we haven't had some of the senior players during pre-season, it has enabled the younger lads to come on for it.

'We didn't hurt Lynn perhaps in certain attacking areas that I would have liked and they gave our defenders a good work-out so all in all it was good exercise. We have got 90 minutes into some of our lads who have needed it. It was a good test for both clubs and you know when you come to King's Lynn there will be a competitive edge to it. Our lads have come off and know they have been in a game.'

King's Lynn: Street, Watson, Duarte (Yong 45), Cousins, Fryatt (Buhlemann 65), White, Spriggs (Livoti 76), L Thurlbourne, (Bexfield 45), Harris (Defty 45), Beaumont, Coe (J Thurlbourne 45). Subs all used. Goals: Watson (53), Bexfield (62), Spriggs (72)

Dereham: Higgs, Willis (Moran 61), Starling, Eastoe-Smith, Fulcher, Marsden, Howell (Saunders 58), Smith, Downes, Reeves, Pledger. Subs (not used): King, Simmons, Thompson. Goals: Reeves (18, 67)

Referee: M McIntyre (Norfolk FA)

Attendance: 406