Without even kicking a league ball, and with Brandon losing, Sheringham went into second spot in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.With games in hand, they stand in a perfect position to make a serious challenge for the Sterry Cup.

Without even kicking a league ball, and with Brandon losing, Sheringham went into second spot in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

With games in hand, they stand in a perfect position to make a serious challenge for the Sterry Cup.

On Saturday the Shannocks pay a visit to bottom team, defending champions Wroxham Reserves 2pm.

Dersingham 2, Sheringham 1

Sheringham were looking to gain a Mummery Cup semi-final place. But without cup-tied Andy Gleave and James Lacey and late withdrawals from Ben Carver and Matt Amis, the squad was stretched. In from the Reserves came the Tyce brothers with Liam starting at left-back. Dersingham were also missing several, including their prolific striker Moriano.

Games against Dersingham are always a tough task. Still, a strong-looking team took to the field and started with 10 men after Banham's sat nav got him lost.

However, he took to the field minutes later and the Shannocks started to dominate, attacking especially on the left side.

It took 12 minutes for such an attack for Kristian Gleave to release Chris Holmes, who took on English and at an acute angle blasted into the net.

Sheringham should have then taken the game to the hosts, but allowed Dersingham to dominate the middle, and their long balls into the channels for their speedy forwards to chase caused all sorts of problems for the Sheringham rearguard.

With about 10 minutes to go till the half-time whistle Dersingham pressure told and they scored after some shaky play at the back.

The second half was to and fro with both sides going close, but with all their huff and puff Sheringham could not edge into the lead with their limited chances.

As the Shannocks pushed for the winner Dersingham played a long ball over the top as a Dersingham player, with hands held up, walked back from an offside position.

A Dersingham midfielder ran from an onside position and, after beating a defender, crossed for the original player walking back to join in and score the winning goal.

A perfect legitimate goal, but with first and second phase offsides to contend with it all gets a bit confusing for all concerned, especially when the scorer was originally offside and ultimately gained an advantage.

The Sheringham defenders allowed their concentration to slip and it ended with them being penalised.

Dersingham deserved their victory as they worked a lot harder against supposedly superior players, but quality must first earn the right to display such wares and it was not a happy camp in the changing rooms after the game.

Sheringham thanks went to Dersingham for their hospitality after the match and they are wished the very best in the semi-finals.

With influential players Andy Gleave and Lacey back, and with Carver and Amis recovering from flu, a full squad is expected to challenge Wroxham Reserves on Saturday at Trafford Park.

To end on a good note, the overtures for Olly King from Wroxham's new man at the helm, Andy Baker, have been turned down and Kingy has pledged his loyalty to the Sheringham flag.

He has been without doubt the best performer for Sheringham this season and one can see why Ridgeons teams are flying in seven-day notices for him and his fellow team-mates. But collectively these players now must now buckle down and start to get points on the board for the Sterry Cup.