Magpies Slay Dragons - Wivenhoe Town vs. Dereham Town

Wivenhoe try to keep out Dereham out in the first half

This weekend I headed out past Colchester to Wivenhoe for their Eastern Counties Premier Division match against Dereham Town. Ever since I saw Wivenhoe play at Edgeware's sadly departed White Lion Ground in my early days in London, I had wanted to visit Wivenhoe. This game was vital for both teams for different reasons. The hosts needed a win to pull away from the relegation places and were five points away from guaranteed safety. The visitors needed the three points to consolidate their place at the top of the table and with it a place in the Ryman League. Dereham were on a run of ten consecutive victories and beat Wivenhoe 3-0 in the reverse fixture.

Kick off at Broad Lane

Dereham have an early chance on the break but the defence is able to get back and block the ball and only give away a corner. They have another chance soon afterwards but they miss the target with a free header. Dereham come close from the edge of the area as Wivenhoe struggle to get in to the game. The away side finally take the lead when a an effort bounces back off the cross bar and the ball is headed home from close range. Dereham double their lead when a cross from deep is headed home at the back post despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Covered standing behind one goal

Dereham move further ahead when a looping cross is nodded home for the third headed goal of the afternoon. Wivenhoe get on the scoreboard with a fantastic effort. The Wivenhoe player brings the ball under control and smashes an unstoppable effort past the keeper. Dereham create a few half chances but most there chances are put well over the bar. As the game wares on, Wivenhoe begin to create a few chances of their own. The best of this comes when the striker is free at the back post but he puts his effort wide from close range. Dereham add a forth late in the game and with Wisbech Town losing, they only require three points to claim the title.

View from the stand

Wivenhoe is a quaint town on the River Colne and it is worth having a walk along the river before moving inland to Broad Lane. Next to the river is The Rose And Crown which has several ales (and one flat cider) and is perfect on sunny days. On the walk to the ground is The Horse And Groom which also had several ales and did nice looking food. The walk from the station is an uphill half hour walk. I think there are a couple of buses from the station to the ground. Trains to Wivenhoe depart from Liverpool Street and the fast train takes just over an hour. The club house is quite large and has a big screen for the half time scores. It also has this;

Which shows the locations of the other teams in the division which I think is a fantastic idea. 

The programme was also fantastic, despite my applauding photography. There are a lot of detailed articles including the most in depth match reports I think I've seen in a programme.

The dugout side of the ground