HAT-TRICK HERO GATTING SENDS MAGPIES TO CARROW ROAD

Dereham Town vs Swaffham Town – Senior Cup Semi-final                    
FDC Field of Dreams 27.02.19 KO 7:30pm
Final Score: Dereham Town 6 – 1 Swaffham Town

In the first few minutes Dereham really struggled to settle into the game thanks to the high work rate of the Swaffham front line. Their hard work was rewarded when a deflected cross to the far post found the head of Dean Miller. He headed the ball back across the goal leaving Elliot Pride helpless in watching the ball nestle in the far corner.

Few clear cut chances were created until the 44 minute mark when good play on the wing from Rhys Logan allowed him to get a cross into the box. Joe Gatting nodded the ball down to the feet of Adam Smith who hit the ball home meaning Dereham drew level.

Dereham took the lead on the stroke of half time when a long ball forward caused a mix up between the Swaffham centre halfs allowing Gatting to get the ball. He then spotted Tommy Rix off his line in the Swaffham goal and calmly beat him from 30 yards.

Half time – Dereham Town 2 – 1 Swaffham Town

Dereham increased their lead soon into the second half when a long diagonal ball from Adam Plumstead met Rhys Logan in the Swaffham area. Logan took a delightful first touch and then blasted the ball past Rix from close range.  

The fourth for Dereham came when a driving run from Forshaw allowed space to open up for Gatting on the edge of the box. His quick turn and shot caught Rix out meaning he couldn’t get down in time to stop the shot.

Swaffham didn’t give up battling but unfortunately due to the high work rates during the first half they began to run out of steam. Dereham made full advantage of this in added-time by scoring another two goals to take their tally to six. Gatting completed his hat-trick when great play from Wengrzik allowed Gatting to hit a half volley from 18 yards out into the bottom left corner.

Dereham finished the game in style with some great passing play between Wengrzik, McLeish and Forshaw. Due to this passing play and movement off the ball, Forshaw was able to force his way in to the Swaffham box and calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner of the goal despite the on rushing Rix.

Final Score: Dereham Town 6 – 1 Swaffham Town

Line ups:

Dereham Town: Elliot Pride, Daniel Beaumont, Owen Murphy, David Hinton ©, Dion Frary, Adam Plumstead, Rhys Logan, Adam Smith, Joe Gatting, Jamie Forshaw, Adam Hipperson. Subs: Karol Wengrzik, Thomas McLeish, George Quantrell.

Swaffham Town: Tommy Rix, Danny Tindall, Luis Duarte, Dean Miller, Matthew Gilchrist ©, Luke Reed, Nick Castellan, Tommy Hunt, Kyle Plumb, Ryan Pearson, Joe Jackson. Subs: Sary Rahma, Sam Carter, Aidan Sewell, Callum South, Aaron Watson.

Referee: Paul Burnham
Assistants: Jon Block and Dario Mattewson
Fourth Official: Richard Pace
Attendance: 302
Player of the Match: Joe Gatting