Great Yarmouth Town v Diss Town.
Wednesday 2nd November 2022. Report by Martin Baxter.
On a very windy and wet evening at the Wellesley the Bloaters hosted Diss Town for this mid table clash with the visitors currently sitting in 10th place in the league, 2 places above their hosts.
Yarmouth were keen to make amends for their disappointing defeat at home to Sudbury Reserves on the previous Saturday.
The Bloaters made 3 changes from that defeat with Cantwell, Duffield and Halliday all returning to the starting line up and the visitors included ex-Bloater Ray Urry in their starting eleven.
The match started in a very strong 45 mph southerly gale and it was Diss who had the advantage for the first 45 minutes with the stiff breeze at their backs and not surprisingly they had the lions share of the possession, as it was clear that they had to try and make the most of the conditions whilst they had them in their favour and in the first 15 minutes they won a succession of corners without really forcing Yarmouth keeper Lane into serious action.
It was not until the 29th minute that the first chance arrived when following yet another Diss corner a header went just over the bar and Yarmouth breathed a sigh of relief again 5 minutes later when the same happened once again with yet another header from a corner going sailing high over the woodwork.
The home side were defending resolutely and the game plan was obviously to try to keep that all important clean sheet in the first 45 minutes, knowing that in the 2nd period they would then have the ever increasing gale massively in their favour.
In the 36th minute the home side had their first sight at goal, however Trenery put his effort high over the upright, and there were no more scares for the Bloaters defence leading up to half time and it was a case of first part of the game plan accomplished..
Half-time Great Yarmouth Town 0 Diss Town 0
The 2nd period started and in the 47th minute McQueen found himself one on one with the Diss keeper Curl who did well to parry his effort clear and 10 minutes later Cantwell had a free kick from fully 35 yards out that stung the keeper’s hands before being cleared.
Although Yarmouth were now in the ascendancy both teams were really struggling with their passing and the game became a little bit scrappy especially in the midfield areas, however in the 70th minute Trenery also found himself through one on one with Curl, but once again the keeper was equal to it and prevented a certain goal.
Diss seemed happy to keep their opponents at bay and settle for a goal less draw after their lacklustre performance in front of goal in the first 45 minutes.
On 78 minutes Cantwell took a knock and was replaced with Fenn and 5 minutes later that all important crucial goal arrived when following a cross into the box from the right , Barnden tapped home from close range to send the Bloaters faithful into raptures!
Yarmouth then went looking for that 2nd goal to put them out of sight and McQueen went on a mazy run and just put his effort wide of the post and then a minute later they came even closer when Trenery rattled the bar with a shot from 15 yards out.
In injury time Fenn put in a perfect cross from the right that just evaded the boot of Trenery by a matter of inches and deep into stoppage time Diss won a free kick on the right in very dangerous position but Yarmouth managed to clear the ball up-field and the ref blew the final whistle and Yarmouth gained another had fought 3 points to make it 3 wins in their last 4 matches.
Full Time: Great Yarmouth Town 1 Diss Town 0. Attendance: 93.
GYTFC Line up: Lane, Halliday, Duffield, Barnden, Philpott, Barnes, McQueen, Cantwell, Lonergan, Willetts, Trenery. Subs: Soares, Perry, Harrison, Rix, Fenn.
