After the perfect start to the league season, it was now Diggle's chance to make a statement in the cup, and what a statement they were to make!!

To start the day off the lads were gathered at the Hanging Gate for a 'brief' chat from the Manager Aidy Bottom…. 40 minutes later and we were ready to go!

As it was a cup game, kick off was scheduled for 1.45.

To the pitch and the lads were led in a quality and thorough warm up by Centre Half Richard Devy meaning the lads were both physically and mentally up for the game.

The pitch itself was on quite a slope and with Diggle being forced to play downhill in the first half they were going to have to ensure the advantage was used while it was theirs.

Into the game and it was clear that Diggle had the upper hand straight from the start with Netherton constantly being put on the back foot and Diggle's forwards persistently putting the opposition under pressure.

It wasn't going to take long for this early pressure to pay off and the opening goal came from Matthew P Taylor whose looping header dipped over the Netherton Keeper.

Diggle's lead however, was short lived as the home side were awarded a penalty when the referee spotted some pushing in the Diggle area during a corner, the home side's striker stepped up and put the ball into the corner of the net, 1-1 and game on!

Diggle continued to dominate territorially due to the slope and it wasn't long before they re-gained the lead when a crossed ball from Jamie MacFarlane saw Richard Devy at the far post, head it back across goal, Stephen Scoltock, throwing himself at the ball with real determination to win the header, headed it goal wards, which fell to Matthew P Taylor who slotted the ball past the keeper to get his and Diggle's second goal.

Diggle were now rampant and with Captain Paul Wood pulling the strings and encouraging the lads from Centre Midfield more goals were sure to come. In fact, the 3rd goal came from Leland Mayall who produced a fantastic strike that left the Netherton keeper with no chance. Leland controlled the ball, turned and volleyed, all in the blink of an eye, putting the ball into the roof of the Netherton net from about 25-30 yards out!!.. Was it better than his brothers goal against Berry Brow???

With half time approaching the lads were eager to put the game to bed while they still had the advantage of the slope and Matthew P Taylor could have had his hat-trick had he not been adjudged to have fouled the keeper in the process of heading the ball into the net.

However, it was the home sides Goal Keeper who was to turn 'fouler' when Stephen Scoltock broke through the Netherton back line and after knocking the ball past the advancing keeper, was brought down, earning the Netherton No1 a yellow card. Leland Mayall buried the resulting spot kick.

Half Time 4-1.

Half time and as the lads took on some water, Manager Aidy Bottom went over the first half's performance, highlighting the positives and areas which we needed to address in the second half.

With the second half underway, it was Netherton who were fastest out of the blocks and with the slope now in their favour they managed to put Diggle under a lot of pressure and create a few chances, however, wayward finishing, resolute defending and lady luck ensured that none of their chances were taken.

Once Diggle had weathered the first 20 minutes of the Netherton onslaught and the game settled down, the game then never looked like slipping away from Diggle and as a result substitutions were made, Joe Wolfenden, John Pooley and Glyn Partington all came on for Jamie MacFarlane, Leland Mayall and Paul Wood.

Joe came on in the centre of midfield, Glyn on the right and John up front.
Despite being 3 goals up, Diggle continued to press and another goal came from a well rehearsed corner that saw Joe Wolfenden steam in at the back post to head home the final goal of the game.

Full Time 5-1.

Job done and it was back to the Netherton Club House to enjoy the superb hospitality and some good food.

Question… Why is Paul Wood always the last out of the changing rooms, last one to finish his food and was the last to leave the Netherton Club House?

Report by Stephen Scoltock