Diss Town riding high in Thurlow Nunn League First Division North after back-to-back away wins
While he is not getting carried away by his side’s lofty position, Diss Town manager Jon Abbott could not help but be impressed by recent back-to-back away victories.
Saturday’s 2-1 win at Cornard United, followed up by the 1-0 triumph at Debenham LC on Tuesday evening, has lifted the Tangerines up to second in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North, one point adrift of table-topping Downham Town with a game in hand.
With the season still very much in its infancy, Abbott is not reading too much into league positions at present.
However, having come through two ‘hard games’ with six points to show for their efforts, he is hopeful that sort of form will continue over the coming weeks and months.
“We are on a good run at the moment. You want to win every game but from two hard games like Cornard and Debenham we might have taken four points, so to get six is great,” he said.
“Debenham is a really hard place to go. It was a local derby and they had already beaten us this season. Cornard might not have started well results wise but they signed four new players before the game so you could say they are in a bit of false position.
“We are not getting carried away, but every win is important. If we can win more hard games like that over the course of the season then we will be looking higher up the table rather than down.”
Against Cornard at the weekend Diss were the dominant force during the first half but they were unable to make the most of their chances and went into the break goal-less.
And they were made to pay after 68 minutes when Cornard’s returning attacker Scott Sloots got free and lifted the ball over Diss goalkeeper Kai Hewitt to give the hosts the lead.
Cornard then had opportunities to wrap up the points but Joe Hooton did well to clear Chris Morgan’s effort off the line and Sloots spurned an opening to double his tally.
Diss eventually made the most of those reprieves nine minutes from time when Hooton picked out Kehan Whitby, and the recent arrival from Walsham-le-Willows slotted in from 10 yards out.
The winning goal came five minutes courtesy of James Baughurst, who cut in from the left and fired a right-footed shot inside the near post.
Three days later Diss were not quite as free flowing, but they still came out on top against neighbouring Debenham.
The only goal of the game arrived inside the first minute as Josh Lucraft sent in a free-kick from the left that summer signing David Shade turned in with a downward header.
Lucraft hit the crossbar as Diss sought a second goal, while the hosting Hornets ended the game with 10 men following the dismissal of Bradley Austin for a second bookable offence.
Diss’ focus will now switch to tomorrow’s home encounter against Fakenham Town (3pm).
A fine run of form from Christmas onwards saw the Ghosts finish seventh last season, but they have not started the current campaign as brightly, picking up two wins from their opening eight fixtures.
Nevertheless, Abbott has pointed to the visitors’ recent win at Lakenheath as reason why his men cannot afford to show any signs of complacency.
“It is important to end what has been a good few days with a positive result,” he added.
“We are at home and confidence is high, but Fakenham are a good side even though they have not started as well as they would have liked.
“They have just beaten Lakenheath and also pushed Downham close, so they certainly are no mugs. We will need to be at our best.”
