Saturday 22nd November 2008

Norfolk Senior Cup

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Diss Town failed to pull off a Cup upset at Aldiss Park. Dereham are 2^nd in The Ridgeons Premier League and looked to be heading for a comfortable win at 3-0 after 38 minutes. However, Diss battled back superbly and had chances to be level before a late goal made the game safe for The Magpies. Injuries, illness and suspensions meant a number of outfield changes but Manager Rob Taylor elected to play Ashley Smith in goal for the return to his former team.

Smith did well to deny Danny Beaumont with his legs early on but was beaten by Paul Atkins for the first goal in the 13^th minute. Stuart Garner played the ball to Graham Barrett and his centre was turned in by Atkins from a yard out. Dereham then took control of the match. Ben Soanes, playing in attack in this match, tried to find Steve Best in the 26^th minute but his pass fell well short and Beaumont moved forward to hit a shot into the roof of the net off the body of Smith. Nicky Howell found Atkins in the 38^th minute. Offside appeals were waved away and he rounded Smith to make it 3-0.

Diss then fought back and pulled a goal back in the 43^rd minute. A corner from Ed Cussons was not fully cleared and James Wilson scored his first goal for Diss with a shot from 12 yards out. As the game went into first half added time The Tangerines set up an interesting second half with another goal. Robbie Lawrence, back from University for the weekend, passed to Danny Partridge. He went into the penalty area and had his shot pushed out by John Higgs and Danny McKail put the loose ball in.

It was a confident display from the Tangerines in the second half. Best headed against the bar at a corner by Lawrence, Steve Wright had a goal disallowed for offside and McKail beat Higgs but saw his shot fly inches wide when he only had the home goalkeeper to beat. During this period Sam Willis had a shot cleared off the Diss line. The Magpies made the game safe in the 84^th minute when Olly Willis crossed for Joel Brien to shoot in. There was still time for both goalkeepers to make fine saves – Higgs in saving a Partridge shot and Smith doing the same to Ben Furlong.

Diss team: Ashley Smith, Mark Shadrack, Ed Cussons, James Wilson, Steve Best, George Wilson, Danny McKail, Adie Hayes, Danny Partridge, Robbie Lawrence, Ben Soanes.

Diss subs: Steve Wright (for Soanes 73 mins), Andy Moody, Osiris Gomes (for Lawrence 87 mins) and Rob Taylor.

Attendance: 185.