Here is a summary of our teams’ performances from this weekend’s league and friendly action.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U12s 4 v 3 Billbrook Jnrs F.C. U12s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s 2 v 1 Corby Town F.C.
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
With no league game in the JPL we arranged a friendly against Corby who fielded a mixture of U13 and U14 players. Diamonds started brighter and looked to keep the ball and use the strikers in a 4-1-3-2 formation and created chances in the first period but did not convert them. As Corby had not looked to exploit or posed any real threat in wide areas we changed it and played 3-5-2 for the reminder of the game looking to control the midfield and exploit wide areas to open the space centrally for our strikers. The breakthrough came from a great through ball which set Taran Dhawli away and he squared the ball and Finn Little slotted it in to the empty net. Corby struck back however from a well taken corner shortly after to level the scores. Diamonds kept playing and probing playing to feet sometimes in to space and the strikers worked well together. Some great through balls from Dan Lyons and Oliver Hamilton causing the Corby defence constant challenges. The third period saw Taran Dhawli cap a fine performance with a well taken goal. Diamonds continued to create chances and adjust defensively to cope with Corby’s direct approach. Corby created a great chance and could have got level but some excellent goalkeeping from Dan Edwards prevailed. Some good performances today. Pleased both strikers got on the score sheet as both worked hard throughout and put the information we talked about prior into the game.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U14s 1 v 4 Tipton Town F.C. U14s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
Diamonds started well and pushed Tipton from the off, unfortunately a speculative shot from the edge of the area slipped through Harry Watson’s hands to give the visitors the lead against the run of play. The home team had several chance throughout the first half but just weren’t clinical enough in the final third. Tipton came back very strong after half-time but despite some good saves managed to add a further two goals in the third period. During the final period, just like last week, Diamonds pressed and looked much more determined, and although they conceded another on the counter-attack, they were eventually rewarded by Sonny Knights scoring from close range. They also had further chances but just couldn’t convert. The scoreline doesn’t really reflect the game as it was much closer than it suggests.
JPL match report can be found here
Leamington Hibs F.C. U15s 1 v 3 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U15s
Played at The Comyn
Following on from last week’s cup encounter it was back to league action today, but this time at The Comyn for Leamington’s first league game of the season. The hosts mindset was much differ this week after last week’s heavy cup defeat and they started on the front foot. Hibs dominated the first period but resolute defending from Diamonds kept it goalless. The second period was much the same yet this time Hibs got their reward for a 1-0 lead at half-time. In the third Diamonds struck back to equalise from a corner that dented the hosts resolve. They added a second in the same period to take a 2-1 lead into the final 20 minutes. During the final period some good football was played and Hibs should have certainly added to their total but again some last ditch tackles denied them. Diamonds caught the home side on the break to make it a 3-1 win.
JPL match report can be found here
