Free-scoring Dereham Town FC enjoyed a (4-1) FA Cup win at Aldiss Park over Walsham le Willows FC. 

Neither keeper was troubled in a scrappy opening ten minutes before home keeper Tom Coombe had to dive at the feet of Walsham striker Ethan Garcia. 

The Magpies should have gone in front in the 15th minute. Harry Pitcher hit a powerful long-range drive that visiting keeper Ryan Dunne leapt to save, with the loose ball falling to Michael Campbell, who was off-balance and unable to convert his close-range effort.

From their next attack, Mac Gee’s drive was deflected into the Walsham post as Dereham stepped up a gear. 

Ben Lewis met Jamie North’s throw to powerful head home and put Dereham in front in the 28th minute. 

Walsham responded immediately with Isaac Moss firing home from just outside the box with their first effort in goal in the 30th minute.

In the 35th minute Lewis kept the ball in well on the left and sent Jordan Buttle away who was fouled just outside the box. Jamie North curled a well-directed drive into the bottom corner of the net to restore the home side’s lead.

Dereham increased their lead in the 44th minute with a superbly worked goal. Joe Gascoigne won the ball in the centre of the park and found Robbie Sweeney on the right, he made ground before slipping a pass to Jamie North who touch a touch around his man and hit a firm drive home.

In added time, Walsham keeper Dunne spilled a 20-yard Buttle effort, leaving Michael Campbell a tap-in to notch the Magpies fourth goal of the evening and give the visitors a mountain to climb after the break. 

Dereham continued to press but could not add to their tally.

But the Magpies' first-half goals comfortably saw them into the Preliminary round.