Dereham Town, winners of the Norfolk Senior Cup in the last two seasons, on Saturday will be aiming at a hat-trick of Norfolk Senior Cup final appearances when they face Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division side Sheringham at Aldiss Park in the semi-finals.

Dereham Town, winners of the Norfolk Senior Cup in the last two seasons, on Saturday will be aiming at a hat-trick of Norfolk Senior Cup final appearances when they face Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division side Sheringham at Aldiss Park in the semi-finals.

A large crowd in expected with an exciting game in prospect, writes Rene Kendal.

The Magpies, who drew 0-0 at home to Leiston in the league last weekend, know they must not take anything for granted. Last year Dereham and the Shannocks met in the same stage of the competition and the coastal side stunned the home crowd by racing into a two-goal lead in 21 minutes.

The turning point came in the 34th minute when a Sheringham defender handled a goal-bound Nicky Howell shot on the line. The offending player was sent off and skipper Adam Gusterson scored from the spot to reduce the deficit.

Dereham won the tie with three second-half goals, although the 10-man Sheringham side battled gamely.

The goals were all scored by two players who have now left the club. Danny Wright, who has been in good form for Blue Square Premier side Histon this season, scored the equaliser in the 57th minute and sealed the game with an 87th minute strike while fellow ex-striker Jordan Blyth, who now plays for Kirkley, put the Magpies in front in the 60th minute.

Sheringham are well up for the tie. Before the draw for the semi-finals was made, Dereham were their preferred choice, although they would rather have been at home.

They did not play over the weekend because of their league's representative match.