The match kicked off in glorious September sunshine and the Dereham pitch and surroundings were a credit to their groundsman who was recognised at half time with a presentation for his efforts.

It took Lee O' Neill only three minutes to record his first league goal of the season as Ben Seaman's delivery across the six yard box was neatly turned in providing the perfect start for Woodbridge. 

Marcus Garnham tipped over a Dereham header on seven minutes and Woodbridge broke quickly from the resulting corner but Seaman lobbed his effort over the bar. Seconds later Seaman was clean through again and should have increased the lead but home keeper Shaun Marshall smothered the ball at his feet. 

Dereham replied on thirteen minutes through Nicky Howell, volleying in a free kick chipped to the far post and they should have taken the lead on 26 minutes but a perfectly placed cross from the right was surprisingly headed wide.

Three minutes before the break Paul Hart's header was tipped over by Marshall and from Paul Berry's resultant corner Hart again headed over.

Woodbridge were causing the Dereham defence problems every time they got the ball wide and on 45 minutes Mark Roper crossed for O'Neill to score his second with a header directed across the keeper.

The Woodpeckers deserved half time lead was undone all too quickly as Sam Willis was given a sight of goal on the hour to send a low strike beyond the reach of Garnham and minutes later Howell dribbled through unchallenged by the Woodbridge defence to score a fine solo goal.

Five minutes later substitute Luke Read was unable to get his foot around O' Neill's delivery with the goal at his mercy and Marshall tipped over Berry's sublime chip with a flying backward save to deny Woodbridge the point they deserved from this entertaining match.