Sudbury 1^ST XI 1 – 3 Dereham 2^ND XI

Sudbury suffered yet another home defeat on Saturday against a Dereham side who sit second in the league. This defeat, along with results elsewhere, mean that Sudbury enter the Christmas break sitting in the relegation zone.

Sudbury started the game brightly and matched the high tempo set by the strong Dereham side. The Sudbury back four of Bullock, Harrington, Underhay, and Keefe did well to keep the lively Dereham forwards at bay. With the back four holding firm, Sudbury were able to create chances – Bevan hit the post from a short corner, and Abrey dragged a reverse stick shot wide having left three Dereham defenders for dead.  

Dereham took the lead midway through the first half, but Sudbury restored parity before the break when Unwin finished well on his reverse side.

Sudbury owed much to keeper Warnes who made some great saves in what was undoubtedly his best performance of the season.

After the break Dereham struck immediately with a really well worked goal. A series of inter-passing between the midfielders left the Dereham forward with a simple finish.

Despite falling between Sudbury continued to battle. The midfield of Clubb, Burton, Chambers, and Thorpe worked hard to match the intensity set by Dereham. In the last fifteen minutes, Sudbury dominated the game. Playing some of their best hockey of the season Sudbury through everything they had at the Dereham defence, but in the end, they couldn’t find a way through.

With the last hit of the game Dereham scored a breakaway goal to extend their lead.

If Sudbury play as they did on Saturday for the rest of the season they will win the majority of their remaining games.