Tuesday 3^rd November 2009

Ridgeons League Division One

Gorleston 2 Diss Town 1

 Match Report by Tony Collins

Cup Holders Diss Town went out of the Ridgeons Division One Cup at the first attempt in a close contest at Emerald Park on Tuesday. Injuries and work commitments ruled several players out of Manager Rob Taylor’s team, but this was still a fine performance from The Tangerines.

Diss took the lead in the 18^th minute when Jason Hunt played the ball to the left for Stuart Garner to move inside and hit a shot which flew low into the net for his third goal of the season. George Watts-Sturrock and Stephen Taylor were close at opposite ends of the pitch as a close contest moved from end to end in enjoyable fashion. Matt Webster made a superb diving save to keep out a long range John Bell shot before Bell found a 35^th minute equaliser. Bell, looking as though he may have been offside, was allowed to run on and beat the advancing Webster with a low shot.

Xavier Huckle had a shot well saved by ex-Tangerine goalkeeper Elliott Pride in the early stages of the second half. Almost immediately The Greens attacked and scored the 56^th minute winning goal.  Taylor sent the ball into the path of Mitch Forbes for him to run and shoot in. Diss had chances to force the game into extra time. None more so than when Jason Hunt hit a shot from just ten yards out on to the underside of the bar before his follow up shot was kicked off the line. Pride kept out another Hunt effort deep into added time to ensure that it was Gorleston who moved through to the last eight.

On this showing, and many earlier in the season, Hunt will be missed when he serves his three match suspension for his sending off at Hadleigh. It begins with a league match at March on November 14^th and is followed by two cup ties – Norfolk Senior and Ridgeons League Cup.

Diss team: Matt Webster, Jonny King, Stuart Garner, Ben Soanes, Brendan Foley, Mark Shadrack, Xavier Huckle, George Watts-Sturrock, Steve Wright, Jason Hunt, Sam Bryant.

Diss subs:  Matt Adcock (for Huckle 70 mins), Stuart Jenkinson and Jake McDowall.

Attendance: 100.