Tuesday 10th February  2009

Ridgeons League Division One Cup Semi Final

Sponsors

MOCO TRAVEL

Diss moved through to The Ridgeons League Division One Cup Final on Wednesday 22^nd April with a penalty shoot out win over local rivals Debenham Leisure Centre. Their opponents will be one of Newmarket Town, F C Clacton or Hadleigh United. Diss were without Ed Cussons and George Wilson due to suspension. Matty Garnham started his first match of the season. On loan signing from Lowestoft Town, Danny Mitchell, made his debut. Danny Partridge was unavailable due to work commitments and Ben Deacon has joined Suffolk and Ipswich League team Ransomes Sports in the search of a regular start.

Diss started well with Luke Catchpole having a 20 yard shot in the 4^th minute and Louis Johnson making a superb 10^th minute point blank save to deny Ben Soanes from four yards out after a fine run by Danny Mitchell. Debenham gradually came into the game and after good advantage play following a hand ball by James Wilson a run at goal by James Heathcote saw him release the ball for Dale Vince to shoot off target.

Debenham took the lead in the 41^st minute when a back header by Stuart Jopling struck the bar and Mark Powling reacted quickly to head in from four yards out. Luke Catchpole created an opening for him to curl a 25 yard right foot shot into the left hand corner of Johnson’s goal for the equaliser a minute before half time.

In the second half a fine diving push away save by Matty Hill in the 72^nd minute denied Heathcote and Johnson somehow kept the ball off the line when a combination of Andy Moody and Soanes caused problems at a Diss free kick three minutes later. Mitchell was inches wide in added time after a fine run and pass from Osiris Gomes.

The match went into extra time. The only real chance came 12 minutes from time when Hill tipped the ball round the post after Warren Taylor-Holt broke the offside trap and ran free. With no goals scored the tie was decided in a penalty shoot out.

Debenham took the first kick and Ian Gedney put the ball high. Mark Fowler put his kick in despite Johnson getting his fingers to the ball. Taylor-Holt was the only Debenham penalty taker to score as he made it 1-1. Gomes shot into the top corner to put Diss 2-1 ahead. Powling was high and Steve Wright put The Tangerines in command at 3-1 by shooting into the roof of the net. Kevin Barker was just too high and it was Diss through 3-1 on penalty kicks.

Diss team: Matty Hill, Mark Shadrack, Matty Garnham, James Wilson, Steve Best, Danny Jones, Andy Moody, Luke Catchpole, Danny Mitchell, Ben Soanes, Steve Wright.

Diss subs: Osiris Gomes (for Catchpole due a leg injury after 69 mins), Steve Beasley and Mark Fowler (for Moody at half time in extra time).

Attendance: 131 – the highest in the competition so far.

Match Sponsor: Cussons Construction Limited of Diss.

Match Sponsor’s Man of the Match: Mark Shadrack.

Match Sponsor’s Man of the Match:

Mark Shadrack