Diss Mercury area notes

DISS TOWN U10 HAWKS played Blofield. Diss made a good start, passing the ball quickly and accurately to the flanks, with Jamie Channell looking dangerous on the left, but they were unable to create a clear sight of goal. At the other end, Sam Hunt made a fine save as Blofield hit Diss on the break and MoM Steven Hines made several crucial interceptions. Half time 0-0. Diss forced a series of corners at the start of the second half and it seemed that the pressure must eventually tell but Blofield broke away at the death to score the only goal of the game. This defeat was a cruel reward for an excellent display by Diss.

DISS TOWN U10 HAWKS played top team Jex and lost 3-1. Diss began very strongly and opened the scoring when Lawrence Brown fired home a free-kick. Diss continued to play some lovely football, with Scott Wilby tireless in midfield and Charlie Stammers running intelligently up front. However, Jex hit them on the break and scored a quick second to lead 2-1 at half-time. Jex added a third early in the second half but Diss kept going well. MoM Lee Rackham made some excellent saves and Ben Mills passed the ball calmly out from defence to begin attacks. Diss created several chances, with Will Smith seeing his long-range shot well saved. Diss were unable to pull the score back but this was a fine performance against the top team.

DISS U9 travelled to Blofield for a game against Taverham. In a frantic start Diss enjoyed all the play with defenders Alex Chittock and Kieran Allen snuffing out any odd attacks that Taverham mounted. Connor Blake floated in some excellent corners and chances were being wasted at an alarming rate. Some good defending then saw Jack Burrows in the thick of the action as Taverham pressed. From the resulting corner Diss then scored an own goal, in truth picking the ball out of the net was all keeper Owen Thompson-Browne did all afternoon. This spurred Diss on with timely Ryan Hook tackles and the ever-running Cameron Rossell setting up livewire Charlie Bowen to coolly slot home. Dane Potter latched onto a poor keeper's kick to rifle home a superb winner from just inside the Taverham half his first goal for the club and a stunner! Final score Taverham 1, Diss 2.

DISS TOWN U10 TIGERS drew 3-3 with Heigham Park Rangers. In a competitive friendly game, Diss put in a good display. The ground conditions were drier than recent weeks, so both teams could play freely. The Tigers passed well with lots of effort and determination from all players. Town's goal scorers were Matthew Neal and new player Mitchell, with the third coming from Isaac Holliday.

DISS TOWN U18 were knocked out of the Ridgeons Youth League Cup competition by Eastern Division team Kirkley & Pakefield U18 by 6-0. Diss made several changes with four new players being cup tied. K&P played some fine football and ran out convincing winners. The first half an hour was fairly even and produced just one goal. It came when a fine centre from the left by Alex Holmes was headed in from five yards out by Michael Clough. Ryan Crisp added two goals in the last ten minutes of the first half. His low shot from outside the penalty area flew into a corner of the net then just before the break a half- volley went into the same corner. Diss started the second half brightly but were unable to get a goal back. Joe Larter made it 4-0 and Crisp completed his hat-trick two minutes later when he brought a dangerous ball from the left under control and shot in. Lewis Riches made two fine saves but was beaten seven minutes from time when Alex Holmes moved on to a perfect through-ball to shoot in. Diss U18's next league game will be at home to Walsham-le-Willows U18s on Thursday, March 18 (kick-off 7.45pm).

EYE SAINTS U13 crashed out of the cup in the most unfortunate way, losing 3-2 on penalties to Kesgrave Kestrels. Full-time score was 1-1 following extra time. In a tight first half Saints had most of the play with a Tanner Call shot striking the bar. Just before half-time Eye took the lead when a Joe Hooton cross into the penalty area found Levi Harris who finished confidently. The second half was the same with Eye having lots of the ball but not creating any clear chances. Saints defence, with Toby Bell-Tye and Charlie Brown looking strong, kept the Kesgrave attack under wraps until a mistake ten minutes from time was seized on by a Kesgrave forward who finished well. Extra time was played with no further goals. Penalties were taken for Saints by Reuben Martindale, Tanner Call, Ash Harris, Ryan Newton and Cameron McKie. MoM Toby Bell Tye who had a strong game in defence.

HARLESTON U13 played hosts to Gorleston Rangers this week, a defeat would put the two teams back on level points in the table. Harleston started brightly and were quick to open the scoring though this was controversially given as offside by the away team's linesman. Things seemed to go downhill from there and Harleston were totally overpowered by Gorleston's pace and quality passing in the first half, consequently they went in 2-0 down. The home team spent the first ten minutes of the second half making sure Gorleston didn't extend their lead and eventually managed to pull one back with a header from W Coleman. The comeback was short lived though as the visitors made it 3-1 a few minutes later. Harleston had several chances from set-pieces but this was obviously going to be one of those days where nothing was going to go right, they even missed a penalty in the second half. Gorleston came to this game knowing they definitely needed a win if they were going to keep up with Harleston for the promotion challenge, this was the difference between the two teams, Gorleston wanted the win more. If the boys are serious about getting promotion then they'll have to pull their socks up for next week's home game against Ormesby. Final score this week was Harleston 1, Gorleston Rangers 4. MoM: T Gower, strong defensive display.

HARLESTON U12, after a month of inactivity, entertained Waveney C knowing that a hard game was in prospect after the two previous encounters which had finished in a one- goal victory for either side. Harleston started well and took the game to their visitors and missed numerous chances to take the lead. The deadlock was broken when Brannigan Harvey was up-ended in the box after a mazy run. Morgan Robinson crashed home the resultant penalty. The visitors began to come into the game and forced three quick corners which were dealt with comfortably by a well-organised defence. Half-time arrived with Harleston holding a slender lead. The second half began with Harleston creating many chances to increase their lead but could not force the ball into the net. With the defence of Craig Ellis, Tom Peachman, Morgan Robinson and James Taylor all in fine form, keeper Andrew Hadingham had little to do. However, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, the visitors began to create chances, having a goal disallowed and Andrew Hadingham in the home goal having to be at his best on three or four occasions to keep his team in front. Harleston had chances on the break to kill the game off but poor finishing meant the home side had to hold on in a nervy final few minutes. The defence played magnificently throughout and deservedly kept a clean sheet thanks to keeper Hadingham. James Taylor was MoM, playing superbly all game, but this was a fine all-round team display.

HARLESTON U9 beat Kirkley & Pakefield to secure the league championship. They travelled to K&P hoping to avenge the 4-3 defeat Kirkley inflicted on them two weeks ago. What a start for Harleston, H Warner bursting through to open the scoring within the first minute. No time to relax in this game with end-to-end football. Harleston needed B Marjoram to be quick off his line and deny Kirkley an equaliser. Harleston's midfield of F Boreham, J Ling and K Harvey produced some superb football in the first half which lead to H Warner getting his second. Kirkley kept coming but Harleston held out to lead 2-0 at half-time. The second half was not for the faint hearted with both teams producing some of the best football seen this season. This led to Kirkley pulling a goal back shortly after kick off. At 2-1 Harleston upped their game. With Harleston's defence of C Wells, J Lester, S Fawcett and H Robson working hard Harleston extended their lead with F Boreham slotting home Harleston's third. At 3-1 Harleston started to look comfortable but they were soon pegged back when Kirkley made it 3-2. This seemed to inspire a Harleston team determined not to let this game slip away from them. Never letting Kirkley settle, Harleston made sure they won the battle in midfield. A great spell in the second half saw Harleston extend their lead to 5-2 .H Warner getting his hat-trick then slotting home his fourth with a great solo run. At 5-2 Harleston thought they were home and dry but again Kirkley managed to pull another goal back. A tense last five minutes saw Kirkley throw everything at Harleston but they held out to win 5-3. A truly fantastic finish to Harleston's first competitive season. A very proud manager wishes to thank Ben Marjoram, Charlie Wells, Jack Lester, Sam Fawcett, Harvey Robson, Finley Boreham, Jack ling, Kieran Harvey and Henry Warner on becoming league champions.

HEMPNALL U14 travelled to Gorleston Rangers with just 10 players. If a prize was given for pure grit and determination these 10 boys would win it, hands down. Hempnall were on the back foot right from the start but played with pride and passion for the whole match. Alex was, as always, superb in goal making some excellent saves which even got praise from the opposition. Bulldog, Lee, Joe Joe and Olly in defence were solid as ever. James, Max, Tom and Peanut in midfield battled for the whole match and Ciaran, playing as a lone striker, ran his socks off, and was unlucky. These boys are a credit to themselves, their parents, manager Tim, and the football club. The final score is immaterial; the passion shown by them is all that matters. The message to the team is 'hold your heads high, you should be proud of yourselves'.

LONG STRATTON U10 travelled to Kirkley this week to play the one K&P team, out of the three in their league, that they have yet to face. The game started on a bright note with Stratton soon getting into their stride and going one up with a Z Sawyer strike. The lead was then doubled with B Whiting rounding the last defender and planting the ball in the bottom corner. With five minutes still to play in the first half the best goal of the game was still to come. Z Sawyer managed to lob the keeper from around 12 yards out on the corner of the box making it 3-0 at half-time. The challenge from the managers in the team talk was to keep a clean sheet, a job which the whole team dedicated themselves to in the second half. Final score Reds 3, K&P 0. Garden Landscape Services MoM: Z Sawyer.

LONG STRATTON U13 beat St Benets Wasps 4-2. Aidan Hilton scored twice to take his season haul to 14 from midfield, Wayne Bemrose and Brendan Edwards also netted. James Gilding and Tom Bellingham had excellent games for Stratton. Stratton Glass and Windows MoM: Tom Normanton.

SCOLE LADS U12 beat Lakenheath 6-2. This was a close and exciting match, with Scole having most of the possession and goals in the first half. Payne boosted confidence with an early goal, followed by a fantastic curved ball into the back of the net by Wootton. Heath, Shipperlee and Everett made some great runs and put Scole 4-1 up. Wootton scored again from a free-kick. Carradus, Constance and Rogers worked hard in defence, giving Lakenheath few chances and Goodwin-T made some great saves. Monkhouse scored the final goal. MoM: Jack Payne; Manager's PoM: Jake Wootton.

SCOLE GIRLS U15 made the worst start possible when they went a goal down to Bohemians in the first minute. Constant pressure from Bohemians paid off when they doubled their lead midway through the first half and a goalkeeping error allowed them to score a third just before half-time. Scole tightened up in the second half and good work from Tash Blakely earned her girl-of-the-game honours. Although no goals were scored, none were conceded, and the improvement gave Scole hope for their cup semi-final match against the same opposition next week.

SCOLE U11 put in a very poor performance in the first half of this game allowing Poringland to take a 2-1 lead at half-time. Scole's only consolation from the first half was a cracking goal from Deon Wallace. The half-time team talk had an effect as Scole came out in the second half more focused and started to pass the ball better, resulting in Scole drawing level with goals from Ben Shepherd and Cameron Mcghee. In the last ten minutes Scole took control with a second goal from Ben Shepherd and a penalty from Reece Lanchester. Final score: Poringland 3, Scole U11 5. MoM: Tristyn Tunmer for a good overall performance.

SCOLE U13 lost to Lakeford 5-2. This was a top-of-the-table clash and Scole dropped their first points of the season. Lakeford were up for it from the start and were 1-0 after a couple of minutes, Scole did create a few chances with Max Turner and Aiden Shaen Carter having shots on goal. Just before half-time Lakeford scored their second when Scole failed to clear a corner. The second half continued as the first with Lakeford the better team and they scored further goals to go 5-0 up. Scole did rally at the end and Max scored two goals. MoM Sam Baker.