Thurlow Nunn Premier: Thetford Town 0-0 Dereham Town

12th August 2025

Thetford Town vs Dereham Town @ The Lomax Spiral Systems Stadium - Thetford

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)

19:45 KO

£8 entry

Attendance - 275

Half-time score: Thetford Town 0-0 Dereham Town

Final Score: Thetford Town 0-0 Dereham Town

Thetford Town had a great start to the season, winning their first two game, but they came unstuck on Saturday as they travelled to Ipswich Wanderers, where they fell to a 2-0 defeat. For me, Ipswich Wanderers are the favourites for the title this season with the squad that they have, although Fakenham Town and Mulbarton Wanderers are having amazing starts, nevertheless the loss was not entirely unexpected, especially on the road. But, Thetford Town did not have long to wait to make amends as they hosted Dereham Town this evening, and with the immense home support behind them, this could hopefully spur them on to victory as games between these two teams have been close the past couple of seasons?

Tonight's Barnes Print match day programme had Antwan Ebanks-Blake on the front cover, the forward making a strong initial impression.

It had been a hot day, but got cooler as the night drew in. The pitch again looked in fine fettle, and before long the teams were lining up, Thetford Town back in claret and blue, with Dereham Town in their away green strip. Before kick-off, there was a minute of applause in honour of the Serrano family members who tragically passed away in a car accident in Portugal over the weekend, the two twin brothers Domingos and Afonso having been part of Thetford Town's youth team set-up. Our hearts go out to everyone touched by this devastating event.

KEY MOMENTS

TT = Thetford Town

DT = Dereham Town

1' - DT - The visitors almost have the ball in the back of the net within the first minute. They steal the ball off Thetford, the ball is squared into Fenn and his daisy-cutter of a strike from the edge of the box is heading into the bottom left corner, but Sutton dives low to get a fingertip on it, pushing the ball out for a corner.

3' - TT - Thetford reply with their own early chance, they sweep forwards and Diggens cuts the ball back to Olpin, he shoots the ball from the edge of the box, it is hit crisply but rises just over the bar.

29' - DT - A funny moment sees two Dereham players go down theatrically in the corner like they have been shot, the culprit, 17 year old Marley Reynolds.....should have been two yellows for simulation really.

45' - TT - A tight half with no real chances of note, the next best one falling to Thetford just before the break, when Reynolds bursts down the left at pace and lets rip, the ball has some pace on it but keeper Congreve is able to collect it, either side of him and it would have made for a much more uncomfortable save.

47' - TT - A blistering attack down the right through Batch and Harvey Lott, they link up superbly exchanging passes, the final pass from Batch finding Harvey in the box, he shoots towards the bottom right, but Congreve is down well to make the save.

48' - TT - Thetford with another chance, ball over the top and Diggens is on it, the ball is bouncing in the box, it looked like he was going to try and lob Congreve, but the shot is delayed, the eventual strike is hit with venom, but flashes narrowly wide of the far-post, two great chances early on in this 2nd half for Thetford to take the lead, but none taken.

58' - DT - 25yrd effort blazes in, has to be tipped over the bar by Sutton.

90' - TT - A swift break from Thetford through substitute Ebanks-Blake, he finds fellow substitute Carkeek in the middle, he slides the ball into the box, Ebanks-Blake chases it and as he competes for the ball he is crunched, and looks quite hurt. Luckily he gets up eventually, but nothing is given for the challenge, which I think was the right call if honest, it was a 50/50.

A tight tussle between two very evenly matched teams, with gilt-edged chances few and far between. A lot of decent attacking play from both sides, but some brilliant defensive play from both teams sees the final ball snuffed out, or the strike blocked, leading to a 0-0 stalemate, which feels a fair result. This was a game where the centre-backs shone, Wells and Jaydyn Lott for Thetford Town, with Sam Watts and bizarrely Grant Holt for Dereham Town, with everyone else chipping in with key challenges of course, Reynolds and Batch for Thetford also standing out for me. Overall, again I was really satisfied with Thetford's fight and desire across the park, they are just lacking a bit of that cutting edge up front, I'm sure it will come with time if they keep playing in this positive manner. Of more concern was yet more injuries, King seemed to take a knock, Olpin went off limping, Diggens also went off in a heap and Ebanks-Blake took a heavy challenge. Hopefully all short term injuries that heal within 8 days, as that is when The Brecklanders are back in action as they travel to Great Yarmouth Town on a Wednesday evening. With Thetford Town out of the FA Cup, no fixtures this Saturday, but a break is needed at this early stage, the football has come thick and fast, so recuperation needed for the next big push, UP THE TOWN!!!

Line-Ups:

THETFORD TOWN: Harry Sutton, Josh Wells, Jaydyn Lott, Jeorgy Batch, Marley Reynolds, Marley Delgado, Cameron King (C), Callum Olpin, Harvey Lott, Jordan Buttle, George Diggens. SUBS: Antwan Ebanks-Blake, Ronnie Ward, Jake Mann, Calan Carkeek, Chris Palmer.

DEREHAM TOWN: Charlie Congreve, Harry Pitcher, Toby Oliver, George Watts-Sturrock, Sam Watts (C), Grant Holt, Jesse Fenn, Omar Ellis, Ryan Hawkins, Bradley Spooner, Luke Middleton. SUBS: Myron Abodunde, Kyle Kelly, Max Voutt, Dylan Derbyshire, Charlie Palmer.