Mike Timm’s double helps Dereham fight back to earn a point

Blueharts 2, Dereham 2

A brilliant double from Mike Timm helped Dereham men's first XI battle back from a two-goal deficit to earn a valuable away point in Hertfordshire against newly promoted Blueharts.

The home side took the lead after just five minutes when Dereham failed to effectively deal with a speculative pass into the circle resulting in close range tap-in.

Dereham chased hard for an equaliser, but found themselves further behind when a powerful cross from the left was brilliantly volleyed into the net by a Blueharts attacker 15 minutes before the break.

The visitors began to lay siege to the Blueharts goal and Mark Hunter went close with a number of penalty corner efforts before Timm rattled the side of the goal with a shot from the right hand side of the circle.

Dereham's chances suffered a huge blow when influential midfielder Andy Lawrence was sent to the sin bin for dissent.

Despite being down to ten men, Dereham continued to press forward and finally got their reward when Timm beat two defenders down the right before drilling a powerful shot through the legs of the Blueharts keeper.

Timm netted his second goal of the game in dazzling fashion, moving down the right before lashing a ferocious reverse stick shot just inside the far post.

Dereham captain Richard Stainthorpe said: 'I'm disappointed that we left the field with only a draw, but if you'd have asked me at 2-0 down with ten men on the field I have to admit I would have taken it.

'We showed true grit today, and that is the positive we will take from it.'

n Jason Snook scored twice but Dereham IV lost 5-4 at Ipswich & East Suffolk III.

Andy Dear and Gareth Wilton were also on target for Dereham.

n Dereham Ladies lost 3-2 at Ipswich.

Dereham were slow to get going and a combination of last ditch tackles and fine saves from Jess Webb kept the score 0-0.

Midway through the first half Ipswich fired a quick brace to go 2-0 up, but a superb counter attack resulted in Becca Taylor pulling a goal back.

Ipswich extended their lead in the second half before 15-year-old Bex Hazell scored a superb reverse stick shot to set up a tense finale, but Dereham were unable to find that third goal to draw level.

n Dereham Ladies II drew 0-0 with Harleston Magpies III in the Marshall Motors Norfolk League Premier Division.

The game ended with a short corner for Dereham, but despite a great short corner strike from Fran Grapes, the ball did not find the back of the goal.

n Dereham Ladies III beat Pelicans II 6-3 in the Marshall Motors Norfolk League Premier Division.

Dereham's goals came from Kate Lavers (2), Jackie Taylor, Ellie Davison, Gemma Pointer and Becca Smith-Ames.

n Dereham's Boys Development team drew 2-2 with Harleston Magpies, the Dereham goals coming from Adam Burton and Lawrence Reid.

The Girls Development team also drew 2-2 with Magpies. Player of the match was Grace Cresswell.