Potter praises his skipper Downes after derby delight

Diss Town boss Ross Potter praised captain Kyle Downes after his two-goal heroics helped his side to a 4-1 win at Stowmarket Town this week.

The Tangerines bounced back from Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to March Town United, with a comfortable win at Thurlow Nunn League First Division rivals Stowmarket on Tuesday night.

Potter was delighted at his side’s response to conceding a late goal against March, and highlighted the return of Downes as a major plus ahead of home games with AFC Sudbury Reserves (tomorrow, 3pm), and Needham Market Reserves (Tuesday, 7.45pm).

“It was a big plus having Kyle back,” Potter said. “He’s our captain and he’s influential in the dressing room and on the field.

“He’s a leader, and as an aggressive number nine he brings the best out of Jamie George.”

The Tangerines struck twice early on, before an own goal put them in a commanding position at half-time which was too much for Stowmarket to recover from.

Stow featured ex-Diss striker Matt Dixon in their starting line-up, while the Tangerines welcomed back Downes into their front line for the short trip to Greens Meadow.

And it was Downes who opened the scoring with a classic centre forward’s goal, climbing well to head home from a fifth minute corner.

Downes was then rewarded for his efforts in chasing down a through ball on 13 minutes, as a favourable bounce saw him follow the ball home into an empty net to make it 2-0.

The hosts began to find their passing range in midfield but lacked a cutting edge in the final third, and just before half-time the Tangerines went further ahead when Dean Pleasance inadvertently headed into his own net from a corner.

Substitute Chris Holmes made it 4-0 from the penalty spot on 78 minutes, before Stow pulled one back in added time through Wayne Proctor.

“It was a much better performance,” concluded Potter. “We were back to the levels we set against Wisbech.

“On Saturday, looking back I think we were over confident going into it and it came as quite a big shock to myself and some of the players. It was a wake up call for us.

“We’ve got two home games next and I’d like a minimum of four points from them. Being up against reserve sides you never really know what you’re going to face.

“But we’ll set up in our own way, focus on ourselves and try and match their work rate.”