Dereham Town manager Matt Henman promised his side would be 'strong and confident' for Monday night's Norfolk Senior Cup final at Carrow Road against King's Lynn Town.

But as he, and the Linnets' managers Kevin Boon and Gary Setchell, wrestled with the problems of preparing for vital games ahead of the county's showpiece cup clash, Henman admitted it was a time to keep cards close to the chest, writes John Cushion.

The Magpies' boss still had Tuesday and Saturday league games to plan for, and Lynn had to work out how to overcome a three-goal first-leg deficit in the FA Vase semi-finals.

Henman said he knew he would definitely be four players short. 'We know we have got four who will be ineligible for the cup final – Adam Smith and Jay Eastoe-Smith (suspended), Gary Starling (on holiday) and Craig Bussons (cup-tied).

'At the moment we are trying to manage the team through games because we have a few injury niggles. We are trying to make sure we don't suffer any more injuries.

'But we want to finish second in the league. It's getting the balance, we don't want to throw points away – Lynn are in the same position. It will be interesting to see what sides we put out.'

Henman admitted: 'We are looking at one or two alternatives, plan B if plan A doesn't work, but we will be strong and confident.'

He knows both clubs will have big followings at Carrow Road. 'There will be a really good atmosphere.'

He was boosted by the Magpies' play on Saturday, despite not being able to force a win at Aldiss Park against CRC in a goalless draw.

'It was a good performance, far better than the previous two games. We were a lot brighter on the ball and controlled the game,' said Henman.

'We deserved to win but unfortunately we couldn't score. It was a good game, competitive with a lot of good football played.

'It didn't fall for us to score. We threw the kitchen sink at them in the last 10 minutes but couldn't get the breaks.'

There is a cup final supplement inside this week's Dereham Times.

Dereham Town 1, Great Yarmouth Town 2

THE Magpies were left holding off Wroxham in second place in the Ridgeons Premier on just goal difference, +36 to +34 from the same number of games, after Tuesday night's result at Aldiss Park. On Saturday, Dereham entertain Debenham LC.

Dereham's Norfolk Senior Cup opponents King's Lynn Town won their UCL match 4-2 against Yaxley.

Wroxham reached the final of the Ridgeons League Cup with a 2-0 home win over CRC and will meet Wisbech, 6-2 winners over Stowmarket, in the final.