No fears over debut dates

Dereham Town boss Matt Henman insists his side have no fears over their starting fixtures as the countdown continues to their Ryman League debut.

The Eastern Counties League's Premier Division champions kick off in Ryman North on Saturday August 10 at home to Heybridge Swifts and travel to Cheshunt in their first midweek match on the following Tuesday.

And later in August the familiar face of former Wroxham boss David Batch returns to Aldiss Park with his AFC Sudbury outfit. Henman’s troops then make the short trip to Trafford Park two days later for a Norfolk derby on Monday August 26.

Henman, pictured, told www.greenun24.co.uk that he couldn’t have asked for a better start to life outside of the Eastern Counties League.

He said: "I think we were hoping to be at home at the start. It’s a new league and it’s an opportunity to get a bit more interest locally. Lots of people are talking about the first game and now it’s at home hopefully we’ll get a good crowd.

"Being at home gives us the opportunity to start the league season by hitting the ground running on and off the pitch. I’m really pleased looking at the first month. It gives us some good games. I’m sure they’ll all be tough, but we’ve got some exciting ones.

"There will be interest in David Batch being here with Sudbury and their support is good. I’m sure there will be a good atmosphere for that and when we make the short trip to Wroxham, where it will be good to renew rivalries with them.

"I'm just really pleased looking at the fixture list as nothing jumps out at you and says ‘that’s a really tough fixture at a tricky time'. Generally everything has worked out really well for us."

Image courtesy of www.derehamtimes.co.uk