‘We are dreaming of Wembley’ says Dereham Town boss Matt Henman
Dereham Town return to league action for the first time in three weeks on Saturday with the aim of continuing their near perfect start to the season.
The Magpies have played two memorable FA Cup matches against the Metropolitan Police and secured an FA Vase victory over Stewarts & Lloyds Corby since their last Thurlow Nunn Premier League outing against Diss, which ended 1-1.
That is the only time in seven league matches that Dereham have failed to win and despite having played several fewer games than their rivals, they remain third in the table.
On Saturday Matt Henman's men travel to mid-table Stanway.
It's then back to cup action for Dereham as they entertain Great Yarmouth in the League Cup on Tuesday, 7.45pm.
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There is a real buzz around Aldiss Park at the moment with success on so many fronts and the 4-1 FA Vase win on Saturday ensured the team bounced back quickly from last Wednesday's brave 2-0 FA Cup defeat in Surrey.
The reward for beating Corby is a second round tie at Haverhill Sports Association on November 17.
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Haverhill SA play in the Essex & Suffolk Border League – who are on step seven of the footballing pyramid and two levels below Dereham.
But they have already beaten Norwich United and Ipswich Wanderers in the Vase this season and are performing well in the league.
Dereham assistant manager Neal Simmons said: 'It's a shame it's away, but it's a very interesting draw.'
As local teams such as Diss, Wroxham and Lowestoft have proved over the years, the Vase presents a good opportunity to go all the way to the final.
Having tasted the scent of cup glory, Henman is eager to build on the success.
'We have a dream of trying to get to Wembley and we have got a good chance,' he said.
Meanwhile, it took a half-time 'dressing down' from Henman on Saturday after a 'sloppy' opening period at Aldiss Park.
Two goals from Luke Tuttle, one from Nicky Howell and a penalty from Scott Sutherland-Gray ensured the victory was comfortable in the end.
However, there had been a feeling of 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' following the FA Cup excitement and Henman admitted they had struggled to lift the tempo.
The manager made several changes from Wednesday's FA Cup defeat and he said: 'We started well and got an early goal which was important but then we thought it would be too easy and we got very, very sloppy.'
Henman added: 'The way we conceded the goal was unfortunate but we deserved it and it reminded us we needed to turn up.
'There have not been many times this season when we have had to raise voices this season but today was one of those games.
'But we were better in the second half and it was comfortable in the end.'
The Magpies bagged �900 from the win and Henman said there is a real sense of belief around Aldiss Park: 'We go in to every game thinking we can win it and that confidence breeds more confidence,' he said.
