Tuesday 14th October 2008

Norfolk Senior Cup 3rd Round Replay

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 Downham Town 1 Diss Town 2 (after extra time)

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Match Report by Tony Collins

Diss earned the right to an away 4th Round Norfolk senior Cup tie at Rob Taylor’s former club, Dereham Town, on Saturday 22nd November (kick off 3pm) when they overcame Ridgeons Division One strugglers Downham Town in a replay at The Memorial Field. The only change to the Diss line up from Saturday’s game was Danny Jones replacing Andy Moody. Downham have a better home record than away. They had only lost one of their three home games this season.

There were few chances created in the first half. This was a real contrast to Saturday when both teams scored early in the game. Diss found the small pitch a difficulty and the Downham style was one designed to spoil the game in terms of allowing the play to flow. It seemed as though this may work when Downham took the lead in the 73rd minute. There was a melee in the Diss penalty area with the ball not being cleared and Danny Foulsham shot home.

It was now down to Diss to increase the pace of their play to try to force extra time.  Ben Deacon thought that he had equalised in the 78th minute but the effort was ruled out for offside. Steve Best was introduced for the injured Luke Catchpole and he raised the tempo. Best was involved in the 84th minute goal which would take the tie to extra time. His presence caused mayhem in the home penalty box and the ball was not fully cleared. 16 year old George Wilson hit his shot and it took a deflection off a defender to take it up and over goalkeeper Matty Hails.

The first half did not produce any clear chances and a season high Downham crowd must have been thinking that the tie would be settled by a penalty shoot out. With just 12 minutes to go Diss cored the winner when Danny Partridge raced on to a through ball and shoot in from close range to the relief of a good sized travelling Diss support.

Diss Express Man of the Match: On a night of many cautions for the home side it needed calm and determination to see Diss home. Mark Shadrack provided both and has now made the left back berth his own.

Diss team: Ashley Smith, Gavin Pauling, Mark Shadrack, Brendan Foley, Kevin Leggett, Leighton Miller, Danny McKail, Luke Catchpole, Ben Deacon, Danny Jones, Danny Partridge.

Diss subs: Steve Best (for Catchpole), Steve Wright, James Wilson (for Leggett), Andy Moody and George Wilson (for Miller).

Attendance: 125.