We went to Norfolk in out final game of 2019 and returned with a point. We could have taken all three.. but then again we could have come back empty handed.
Make no bones about it, this was a good game of football to watch. End to end stuff for large portions of it.
The first half was a real return to form and saw us create more than enough chances to have been one or two up at the break but alas that is not the way it panned out. The Dereham keeper was there when required and at other times our finishing was a little wayward and we were also guilty of taking a touch too many on numerous occasions.
This was a half we bossed but it was in fact Paul Walker who was called on to make the save of the match from close range on about the 30 minute mark. How he kept it out i do not know and i look forward to reviewing the footage of that to witness the miracle stop again. The Dereham keeper said to me at half time that i should let him know it was an unbelievable save... i didn't at the time so Paul i hope you are reading this.
Anyway our chances came and went, Harrison with a shot tipped over, Baris with a shot wide from a tight angle, Hunter with a couple of opportunities that he didn't get away cleanly, Reece Harris ( good to see him back although playing in an unfamiliar left back role ) had a shot that went narrowly wide and Marksey created his usual brand of aerial havoc but to no avail.

After the break Dereham improved a bit more.. or we fell away a little.. i think it was the former. The game was far more even now, chances coming and going at both ends now until on the hour mark, with a bemused Grimwood laying prone on the boggy turf after thinking himself fouled, Eoin McQuade fired home from the right of our penalty area into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead.
Chances continued to come and go at both ends in what was by now quite an open game. Detmar Replaced Hammett on 67 and on 79 there was an AFC debut for Kyle Cassell as he replaced Ben Hunter. Cassells first touch saw him win a free kick. His second touch saw him ghost across the front of his marker and place a well directed header towards goal that the Dereham keeper did well to keep out.
5 minutes after this change we were level. Callum Harrison weaving with the ball outside the area before spearing a low drive into the bottom right hand corner of the Dereham goal. Get in... no more than we deserved.
A few more half chances came and went as both teams tried in vain to take all the points but when the whistle went I think we felt pretty pleased with the point all in all.