Saturday January 7, 2012 – Norfolk Senior Cup Quarter Final

Diss Town's hopes of success in the Norfolk Senior Cup ended when they were beaten in a quarter-final replay by Gorleston.

The Tangerines were held to a 2-2 draw at Brewers Green Lane on Saturday, but were beaten 3-1 on Tuesday evening.

The replay was the fifth meeting between the teams this season and the Greens are now the only team from the Ridgeons League Premier Division to make it into the semi-finals.

The game started at a frantic pace and Diss were playing a good passing game, although neither side created an opening in the first 20 minutes.

Gorleston broke after defending a 21st-minute free-kick and found Chris Sandford in space. He moved forward and hit an unstoppable 25-yard right-foot shot into the top right-hand corner of Goodwin's net.

Three minutes later a corner from the left was headed in by Ali McKenna from close range to make it 2-0. It was not until first-half added time that the Tangerines came close when a ball across the face of goal by Jamie Speller eluded all forwards after a free-kick on the right from Stuart Garner.

Diss started the second half well, passing the ball around, but were unable to get it into the danger area and were punished in the 50th minute when Sandford played the ball in from the right for Gary Williams to shoot in right-footed from 15 yards out.

It could have been worse three minutes later, but Garner got back to make a good goal-line clearance to deny Christy Finch.

Diss had their best spell late in the game, but the tie was already over as a contest. In the 77th minute they pulled a goal back when George Watts-Sturrock crossed from the left and Speller sent his header from six yards out into the roof of the net.

Watts-Sturrock sent over another perfect centre three minutes from time and Brendan Foley saw his powerful header from 10 yards out well pushed round the post as Elliot Pride dived to his right. George Cole put a half chance over the bar from 16 yards out two minutes later when he moved on to a header from Gilding.

The Gorleston advantage had proved too much for Diss to overcome - although when the sides met last weekend it was a very similar story.

Gorleston had won the previous games 2-1, and they went into a two-goal lead before the Tangerines fought back to force a replay.

Diss were without the suspended duo of Stuart Garner and James Pipe, which meant Danny Easlea was pushed into a more forward role.

Matty Webster made a second-minute save to keep out a Chris Sandford shot. Jason Cole was just high in reply. The Greens took the lead in the 12th minute when Andy Howell crossed from the left for Ally McKenna to head in. Jamie Speller and Andy Moody were both wide with shots as Diss went in search of an equaliser.

Adam Thurtle did well to head a 30th-minute shot from Speller off the line. The Greens quickly counter-attacked and Christy Finch hit the bar. Nine minutes later Finch made it 2-0 when he moved on to a long ball and chipped a shot over the advancing Webster.

Two minutes before half-time Diss pulled a crucial goal back. Speller moved in from the left and hit a high shot out of the reach of Elliot Pride.

Diss attacked well early in the second half with Jonny King only jut wide, but Webster was forced to save from Andy Howell to keep his team in the contest. Gary Williams hit a post, but the next goal came in the 65th minute when Speller sent the ball in from the left and Thurtle deflected the ball past Pride for an own goal.

Diss now went in search of a winner and Pride had to be on good form to deny Jason Cole, Speller and Sam Bryant. Webster sent the tie into extra-time when he did well to tip a header from McKenna over the bar.

Diss Town F C fixtures.

Midweek matches kick off at 7.45pm unless otherwise stated.

Saturday matches kick off at 3pm unless otherwise stated.

Tuesday 10th January

Norfolk Senior Cup Quarter Final Replay – Gorleston v Diss

Thursday 12th January

Ridgeons Youth League Central Division – Diss U-18s v Ipswich Wanderers U-18s

Saturday 14th January

Ridgeons League Premier Division – Diss v Mildenhall

Ridgeons Reserve League North – Ipswich Wanderers Reserves v Diss Reserves

Wednesday 18th January

Ridgeons Youth League central Division – Leiston U-18s v Diss U-18s

Saturday 21st January

Ridgeons League Premier Division – Brantham Athletic v Diss

Ridgeons Reserve League North – Diss Reserves v Leiston Reserves

Saturday 28th January

Ridgeons League Premier Division – Diss v Ely

Ridgeons Reserve League North – Gorleston Reserves v Diss Reserves

Main Sponsor: Simonds.

Monday 16th January – Prize bingo. Doors open at 7.15pm for eyes down at 8pm.