Diss Town U18 1, Ipswich Wanderers U18 0DISS U18 gained their first points of the season with a hard-working performance that ensured that they kept a clean sheet.

Diss Town U18 1, Ipswich Wanderers U18 0

DISS U18 gained their first points of the season with a hard-working performance that ensured that they kept a clean sheet.

Diss started the match promisingly, but were grateful to Jamie Allen for diving low to his right to push away an 11th minute shot from Jordan Shepphard and a close-range block to keep out a 23rd minute shot from Liam Stevens.

However, Diss defended as a team much better than they had in their first two leagues games and grew in confidence during the second half.

In the 48th minute, a 20-yard shot from Olly Verrell forced Marius Atkins to dive to his left to make a save. Allen made a superb save to keep out a shot from Stevens in the 56th minute and with both teams looking solid at the back, it was looking possible that there could be a rare 0-0 draw.

The introduction of Keiran Nicholls changed that in the 77th minute when he ran from out wide on the left and after beating two defenders, was kicked in the penalty area to earn a penalty kick. Nicholls took the kick himself.

Atkins made a good save, but the ball fell kindly for Nicholls to blast into the roof of the net for the only goal of the game. A minute from time Nicholls kicked a header from Lewis Smith from a corner off his goal line.

Diss man of the match: There were two very impressive outfield displays from players who did not complete the full match. Wayne Collins tackled fiercely and covered vast areas of the pitch until a back injury forced him off after an hour.

Keiran Nicholls had a lively last 35 minutes after coming on as a substitute and was involved in good forward moves, scored the only goal and cleared off his own line.

However, there was a very impressive display in goal from Jamie Allen. He looked confident, organised his defence perfectly and made three winning saves to earn the man of the match award.

Diss team: Jamie Allen, Wayne Collins, Aaron Day, Damien Phelan, George Perry, Jamie Sheehan, Ryan Parker, Jordan Balls, Ed Lake, Olly Verrell, Jack Bell. Subs: Clark Field, Andrew Broadley, Keiran Nicholls (for Lake, 55 minutes), Dawid Kawa (for Collins, 59 minutes) and Tom Jacob (for Sheehan, 17 minutes).

Diss U18's next two league games are also at home, against Woodbridge U18s tonight (Thursday), kick-off 7.45pm and against Framlingham U18 on Thursday, Octobter 8 (7.45pm).