FC Clacton 1 Diss Town 0

Diss Town completed their season with a defeat at a wet, windy and slippery Rush Green Bowl.

Defeat left the Tangerines 16th in the Ridgeons League Premier Division – with Clacton among the three teams to go above them on the last day of the season.

Diss created enough chances to win the game in the first half, but could not add to their goals tally of just 37 for the season.

Stuart Jopling put the ball in the net after six minutes, but he was ruled to be in an offside position as he moved forward to steer the ball in from eight yards out after goalkeeper Ed Wootten dived into the mud to push out a 20-yard shot from Danny Easlea after James Pipe had beaten three defenders in a fine run along the 18-yard line.

Pipe was wide from four yards out with a fine chance in the 13th minute after Jason Cole had used his strength to shrug off a defender and run on to a pass from Jamie Speller. Eight minutes later after a short corner on the right Stuart Garner crossed for Brendan Foley to head wide at the far post.

Clacton looked dangerous at corner kicks and their pressure at set-plays paid dividends in the 40th minute when a corner from the left held up in the blustery wind as Matty Webster rose for an anticipated catch and Lee Peacock headed in at the far post.

A minute later Foley was wide with a header from close in at another corner from Garner. Moments later Diss came close to a spectacular equaliser when Wootten came out of his penalty area and his attempted clearance was collected by Easlea 40 yards out. His floated shot into the strong head wind dipped and was less than a foot over the bar.

Pipe had his shot blocked by a superb defensive block as he moved on to a perfect low centre from the right by Jason Cole with an hour played.

Diss had appeals for a penalty turned away when Jopling hit the floor after seemingly being pushed by Peacock to a 74th-minute cross from Garner.

Clacton were off target with their shooting when they attacked and had Wootten to thank in added time when he dived low to his left to turn away a shot after Speller cut in from the left.

Diss: Matty Webster, Jason Cole, Stuart Garner, Aarron Taylor, Brendan Foley, Mark Shadrack, Danny Easlea, Jamie Speller, Stuart Jopling, James Pipe, Michael Steward. Subs: Tom Bryant (Easlea 80), George Cole (Pipe 80), Joel Brien (Taylor 58).

Attendance: 164.

The final end of season cup finals to be staged at Brewers Green Lane are on:

n Friday, April 27 – Anglia Access Norfolk and Suffolk Veterans' League Cup final between Bury Town and Whitton United (kick-off 7.30pm). The League Shield Final last Friday saw Bungay Town beat Thetford Sports and Social Club 7-1.

n Monday, May 7 – Ridgeons League Cup final between Norwich United and Stanway Rovers (kick-off 3pm).

n Tuesday, May 8 – Ridgeons Youth League Championship play-off between Stotfold Under-18s or Dereham Under-18s and Histon Under-18s or Hadleigh United Under-18s (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Diss Town Youth Football Club small sided tournament will take place at Brewers Green Lane on Saturday, May 12. Spectators will be welcome. The Under-7, Under-8 and Under-9 matches kick off at 9am. The Under-10 and Under-11 matches kick off at 1.30pm.

The Diss Town Football Club Annual General Meeting will be held at Brewers Green Lane on Monday, June 25 at 7.30pm.

The current Committee is looking for new members to add to its numbers or those willing and able to undertake the many jobs required to run a football club at this level to come forward. Various sponsorship opportunities exist at Diss Town F C. Call the club on 01379 651223 on weekday evenings for further details. The Diss Town Football Club house facilities at Brewers Green Lane are available for use by other sporting clubs and businesses and also available for hire for parties.