DEREHAM BOUNCE BACK...
IT’S BEEN an opening week of extremes at Dereham Town – after being hit for six by Aveley in their first game of the season, they responded with a rousing 4-2 win over Coggeshall Town.
After an anaemic display against the Millers last weekend, heads sank at Aldiss Park when Nandi Nwahuka cut inside and curled the visitors into the lead from 30 yards on nine minutes.
Despite Ashley Jarvis’ immediate equaliser, the worst was feared again as defender Luke Wilson climbed highest and nodded home to leave the Magpies trailing at the interval.
After gaining more possession and putting together a spell of pressure, Dion Frary stooped to head the hosts level on 61 minutes and Danny Beaumont made it 3-2 just two minutes later.
Beaumont extended the lead with moments to go, a 20-yard free-kick sealing his brace and a victory that delighted manager Neal Simmons.
“It was a chastening experience last Saturday and we’re delighted with the response,” said Simmons.
“All the credit has to go to the players for picking themselves up and getting a fantastic result against a team who will be at the top of the league in May.” Soham Town Rangers pulled off an incredible comeback against Tilbury, somehow securing a draw despite entering injury-time 2-0 down and with nine men.
They trailed in Cambridgeshire through goals from Adam Vyse and Lewis Smith, who struck either side of half-time to seemingly put Tilbury out of sight.
A comeback looked even more improbable when the visitors were left hamstrung by the dismissals of Lewis Endacott and Jon Kaye, given their marching orders in the second half.
But a stunning late brace from Sam Mulready preserved an unlikely point.
On derby day in East London only Canvey Island keeper Harry Palmer prevented Grays
Athletic from claiming all three points, ensuring a 1-1 draw at Mill Field.
Grays broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Mitch Hahn finished coolly, rifling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards after great build-up play.
Canvey not surprisingly offered more at the start of the second half and levelled in the 52nd minute when Frankie Merrifield rose unchallenged to head past Clarke Bogarde from a corner.
Elsewhere, it was a victorious return to the Bostik League after 27 years away for newlypromoted Basildon United who deservedly beat Mildenhall
Town at Gardiners Close. The game sparked into life after the interval, the towering Brian Moses bagging a goal on 46 minutes before Thomas Debenham slid in a leveller following good work from Luke Butcher.
Basildon produced a winner through Marcus Bowers in the 74th minute.