Cup display has set standard for season

Diss Town boss Ross Potter says his players have set the benchmark for the rest of the season with their FA Cup display at Wisbech.

The Tangerines exited the competition at the higher-league side 1-0 on Saturday, but go into their Thurlow Nunn League First Division clash at home to March Town United tomorrow (3pm) with Potter looking for his side to mirror their efforts from the weekend.

“We’ve set the bar for the remainder of the campaign with our display at Wisbech,” he said.

“If we can perform as well as we did on Saturday for the rest of the season then we should do well.

“It’s all about consistency in this league. It is a very competitive league and all of the teams are capable of taking points from each other.

“Since I came in we’ve played six games, including friendlies, where we have given a good account of ourselves and the performance levels have been good.”

The trio of Mark Appleton, Kyle Downes and Jason Armes will miss the visit of the Hares but striker Jamie George returns.

On the club’s FA Cup exit at United Counties League Premier Division outfit Wisbech Town, which continues Diss’ miserable recent run in the famous competition, having now not progressed past the extra preliminary round stage for the last eight seasons, Potter added: “I was very disappointed not to have got something from the game.

“We went to Wisbech to win.

“The players did everything I asked of them other than finish the chances they created.”

The Fenman’s manager, Brett Whaley, also praised the Tangerines following his side’s third win from their opening three games.

“I thought Diss did quite well and at times they dictated the game,” he said.

“We scored early, as we did in our midweek fixture, but didn’t maintain our start and allowed them into the tie.

“Fair play to Diss, they came and gave it a right go and were very unlucky.

“Anyone watching the game wouldn’t have thought there was a league between the two teams.”

Following tomorrow’s game, Diss, who beat Dereham Town Resereves 2-0 in their only league game to so far, travel to Stowmarket Town on Tuesday for a local derby (7.45pm).

n Meanwhile, 10-men Debenham LC also exited the FA Cup on their first appearance in three years, losing 1-0 at Friends Meadow against higher-league outfit Ipswich Wanderers.

The Hornets return to Division One action with a trip to the early pacesetters, Halstead Town, tomorrow (3pm) looking to add to their opening day point against AFC Sudbury Reserves.