Diss Mercury area notes

LONG STRATTON U10 had a big 10-1 win at home to Freethorpe. At a rain- lashed Manor Park, the mini-reds really turned on the style. Five names ended up on the scoresheet with J Bemrose scoring four in the first 13 minutes and B Whiting and Z Sawyer firing home to put Stratton 6-0 up . Freethorpe scored only seconds before half-time, sending the away fans into a frenzy, it being their first goal of the season. In the second half Stratton were just as prolific with J Bemrose, H Nye, K Locke (coming out of goal) and Z Sawyer all adding to the increasing scoreline. All of the lads, home and away, deserve a mention, playing through very bad weather and always with a smile. Although a big scoreline, the biggest impression was left by the manner of the win. GLS MoM: J Bemrose for his unselfish passing in front of goal.

LONG STRATTON U13 lost 10-0 away at Bohemians A in the cup, despite having four defenders out, unavailable Stratton's lads battled hard against opposition from two divisions above. Andy Bellingham was superb in goal, Benjamin Clark and Matt Bushell also did well up against good players. Stratton Glass & Windows MoM: George Bettridge.

SCOLE U11 were back to their winning ways in the match against Attle-borough, 4-2. However, at the start of the match Scole were slow to get going and paid the penalty of allowing two goals in during the first half. Scole battled on and had chances on goal but lacked the finishing touch. Start of the second half Scole came out more determined and started to pass the ball well, really putting pressure on the opposition. This paid off with goals coming from Max Chenery, Deon Wallace, Luke Barraclough and Reece Lanchester. Considering the difficult weather conditions, this was an excellent result. MoM: Max Chenery.

DISS TOWN U18 drew 0-0 with visitors Leiston. The Tangerines held out with two players short for the last 20 minutes for their second clean sheet of the season against a Leiston team which had won four of its first five league games by three- goal margins. It was a tremendous team performance as Diss gave their best showing of the season so far. The first half was evenly matched with many stoppages disrupting the flow of the game. Both teams had two players cautioned. The best Diss effort came iwhen Ben Garwood had a 25-yard shot pushed round a post by the diving Callum Godbold. Leiston started the second half strongly with Keiron Joseph shooting wide and Joshua Butler forcing Jamie Allen to dive to push a 20-yard shot round a post. Soon after Joseph struck a post after creating an opening. Further cautions took the overall total to seven. Ben Garwood seemed to be held back but a free-kick was awarded to Leiston just outside the Diss penalty area. Garwood received a second yellow card for his reaction to a Leiston player. In the mel�e that followed Euan Craigie received a straight red card to add to his earlier yellow. Controversially, no action was taken against any Leiston player. This left Diss to hold out for the last 16 minutes plus four added on minutes for a 0-0 draw. Leiston threw everything they could at substitute keeper Joe Marriott, who came on when Jamie Allen picked up a knee injury. He did have to make a couple of diving saves but was not put under as much pressure. MoM: A fine team performance to hold out for a 0-0 draw in the face of adversity. It would be unfair to single out any one player as the nine who were on at the final whistle all emerged with some credit from a match which will be remembered for the wrong reasons. Diss U18's next match will be away at Stowmarket U18 tonight (7.45).

DISS U8 lost to Dereham 4-3. An evenly contested and open game by both teams saw Diss U8s again making great improvements in their general play, Diss had plenty of possession in the first half and if they had taken their chances, they would have won this game comfortably. Trailing at half-time, Diss heads did not drop and a fine display by Ryan Davidson, scoring a superb hat-trick, levelled the game to 3-3. Diss goalkeeper Jacob Ready kept the game level with some fine second-half saves, but Diss did concede in the last minute, giving Dereham a narrow victory.

DISS U9: Another disappointing weekend, this time at home for two league matches saw the lads beaten again. As normal for this season, Diss started well against Hethersett in game one with Josh Lucraft setting up a couple of half chances for Cameron Rossell who shot just wide. The visitors then took control although Kieran Allen back in the side after missing last week was his usual all action self. Conditions due to the severe weather made the game a complete lottery and although Connor Blake poked home a corner it was a mere consolation in defeat. Final score: Diss 1, Hethersett 4.

Game two against Poringland was again ruined by the weather however Jack Burrows and Alex Chittock performed well at the back for long periods. Some good saves with excellent clearances from keeper Owen Thompson-Browne saw Diss midfielders Dane Potter, Robert Jestico and Charlie Bowen trouble the visitors but the ball just never ran in a hardworking display. On a dreadful day the lads should be proud they kept going. Final score: Diss 0, Poringland 3.

HARLESTON U12 entertained Waveney C in the cup and progressed to the next round in atrocious conditions with a 4-3 win. Harleston started well but against the run of play Waveney took the lead. It wasn't long before Harvey Clarke tapped home the equaliser. Ryan Shadbolt was put through and his shot was handled in the box, Morgan Robinson calmly slotted home to give Harleston a 2-1 lead. Back came the visitors to equalise just before half-time. Harleston regained the lead after good play from Brandon Pickess and James Taylor led to Ryan Shadbolt putting the ball home from close range. Morgan Robinson scored another from the spot after another hand-ball in the box. The visitors pushed forward, striking a post before slack defending resulted in a third Waveney goal. After a few anxious moments Harleston deservedly progressed to the next round thanks to a couple of fine saves from Andrew Hadingham. James Taylor claimed MoM and a fine team by all.

HARLESTON U9 travelled to Solebay for their first round cup game knowing that playing a team a division above them would be a good test. In very difficult weather conditions Harleston kicked off into the wind. They soon found themselves under pressure and Solebay took a deserved one-goal lead. Solebay managed to double their lead before half-time. In the second half, with the wind behind them, Harleston were all over Solebay. First, Henry Warner went close, hitting a post. Again Harleston were unlucky when Finley Boreham rattled the crossbar. Finally, Harleston got their just reward when Kieran Harvey slotted home with his trusty left foot. Harleston never gave up in this game and with great defending at the back by MoM Charlie Wells they pushed Solebay all the way to the final whistle. In a game that really was of two halves Harleston can count themselves unlucky to finish the game losing 2-1.

HARLESTON U13 were in the preliminary round of the cup against Division One opposition Bungay. In extreme weather conditions and with key players missing, attacking options were limited for the home team. Harleston defended well in the first half and were only 2-0 down at the interval. This scoreline was also down to yet again another fantastic goalkeeping display from J Brown. With the top goal scorer missing and team captain on holiday, it was plain for all to see that the energetic W Coleman was struggling to break through the Bungay defence by himself. The away team managed to slot home another four goals to make the final score Harleston 0, Bungay 6. MoM: G Collins with a great attacking and defensive display from midfield, though the whole team put in a hearty display in the strong wind and rain.

SCOLE GIRLS U12 lost to visitors Dereham Wanderers 3-2. Scole were the stronger side early on, making all the play. This paid off when player-of-the- match Rebecca Archibald put one past the keeper. In the second half, Dereham upped their game and managed to equalise. This was soon followed by another and Scoles' heads dropped. Dereham then added a third, as Scole struggled to keep the ball in their attacking half, and whilst defending, a penalty was awarded against them. Luckily for Scole this was missed. Ellie Drake then managed to pull one back for Scole minutes before full-time. Scole were very grateful to Isabelle Grimley for stepping into the role of goalkeeper for the first time because of the absence of their regular keeper.

SCOLE LADS U12 beat Lakenheath 4-2. This was a close-fought match in appalling conditions but Scole had the edge over Lakenheath. Thomas Heath put Scole (1-0) up when he nudged one in from a free-kick. Matt Monkhouse played some great shots but failed to score. Lakenheath equalised (1-1) but Alan Everett made it (2-1) after another great run. After half-time, the wind gave Lakenheath an early advantage (2-2) but some great saves from Joshua Goodwin-Tallents held Lakenheath back. Scole passed the ball around, opening up the game to give Heath a shot at an empty goal (3-2). Gregor Shipperlee ran through to make it 4-2. MoM: Joshua Goodwin-Tallents.

SCOLE U13 on a wet and windy morning, played their best football for a few weeks and beat Mulbarton 10-2. Man of the match Max Turner had an excellent game in midfield. The goals were scored by Oscar Marshall (4), Laurence Breeze (2), Nathan Locke, Charlie Deakin, Max Turner and Thomas Constance.

SCOLE U15 GIRLS drew 2-2 with North Walsham. Scole started off well and from an early corner Nad Elliott knocked the ball in to give Scole the lead but it was short-lived as Walsham equalised with a well-taken goal, just a few minutes later. With the rain falling and some hard Walsham tackling, Scole failed to make any impression for the rest of the half but began the second half better and a long shot from Rachael Wall sailed over the keeper's head and into the net to give Scole the lead again. With girl-of-the- game Chloe Edwards marshalling her defence superbly, Scole were looking good for a win but with just minutes remaining Walsham forced the ball home for a share of the points, to leave Scole wet and disappointed.

SCOLE LADS U18 beat Walsham 4-2. This match was played in atrocious conditions in driving windy rain, but both teams played their part in an entertaining and fair contest. Scole, with the wind behind their backs in the first half, had the large majority of the play but could only go in at half-time 1-0 up courtesy of a Will Goulding goal, scoring from close range following a cross from Alex Blakely. The second half saw Scole play some good football on the deck and were able to contain Walsham's attacks. Goulding increased the lead following good work from Blakely and Jamie Green, however Scole started to become sloppy at the back and the visitors pulled a goal back. Goulding, however, restored the home team's two-goal lead following a goalmouth scramble and Charles Kanharn made it 4-1 with a good turn and shot from just inside the area. Walsham got a late consolation after a free-kick. MoM: Will Goulding.

HEMPNALL U12: Whenever Hempnall entertain Swindells it is usually in strong winds and driving rain so this League Cup first round clash did not disappoint. Hempnall faced the gale-force winds and rain in the first half and fine defending from Sam Fisher, Ethan Humphrey and Rhys Vertigans in defence restricted the visitors to only one chance on goal that brought a smart save from Joel Brooks. In the second half Hempnall dominated. Oli Newson played a lovely ball through the defence for Callum Maloney to slip the ball passed the advancing keeper. Hempnall missed several chances to increase their lead before the lively Callum ran through again to put the result beyond doubt. There were good performances from Harry Gibson and Connor Garrod in midfield and Oli played his best game of the season but in the conditions all 22 should be congratulated. Final score: Hempnall 2, Swindells 0.