Diss Town's new forward James Bemrose enjoys a debut to remember

As far as debuts go, they don’t get much better than James Bemrose’s for Diss Town on Wednesday evening.

The 20-year-old has carved himself out the reputation of being a lethal finisher during the last few seasons with Long Stratton, for whom he has scored in excess of 100 goals for their Saturday and Sunday sides.

And if Diss’ clash at Great Yarmouth Town is anything to go by, the jump up to the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North will prove to be relatively straightforward as well.

He scored all three of the Tangerines’ goals in a 3-2 win at the Wellesley Recreation Ground, which moved Michael King’s men up to seventh in the standings.

Bemrose had initially signed on dual registration terms and planned to continue playing for Stratton on Saturdays, but he now feels the time is right to kick on at a higher level with Diss.

“I’ve had some good seasons with Stratton and said no to a lot of clubs in that time,” said the young striker, who also had a penalty kick saved.

“I’d trained a little bit in the summer with Diss and thought I would see how I got on in midweek games, but still play for Stratton at weekends.

“But it couldn’t have gone any better. I thought I would get on for the last 20 minutes or so but they started me up front and showed some real faith in me.

“There was a few nerves before the game but I loved it once we got going.

“Yarmouth are a good side and it shocked me how well it went. I expected it to take some time to get used to the team and things like that, but it seemed to click.

“I wanted to prove that I can do at that level and now feels like the right time to do it.”

Even so, while Bemrose is now looking to the future with Diss, it was still a tough decision to leave his hometown club.

He added: “It was hard – probably the toughest decision I have ever had to make.

“I love everyone at the club. If it wasn’t for the manager, my team-mates and the supporters I wouldn’t be where I am now.

“It just feels like this is something I have to do now.”

As for Diss boss King, he is delighted to have landed one of his top targets.

“James is someone we have been keen on for a while,” he said.

“I’d never worked with him before, but having come across him in the Anglian Combination a few times, I was confident his style and attributes would work well for us.

“I’d been lying if I said I expected him to score a hat-trick on his debut, but I knew he was going to have an impact with us.

“I think he will suit us and we will suit him very well. It’s a fantastic start and he hopefully he can build on it.”

Bemrose’s midweek heroics came on the back of Diss’ 3-3 draw at Haverhill Borough last weekend, when the visitors battled back from being 2-0 and 3-2 to salvage a share of the spoils.

Kyle Baker, Bryn Mullen and Harley Peek were all on target for Diss, who tomorrow will welcome King’s Lynn Town Reserves to Brewers Green Lane (3pm). That is followed on Tuesday by a derby at Framlingham Town (7.45pm).