Various league, cup and shield matches were played this weekend with positive results.
Coventry City F.C. 0 v 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s
Played at Celtic Ajax F.C., Warwick
This was a last 16 JPL Knockout Cup match (planner can be found here) with a home tie in the quarter-final awaiting the winner.
Conditions were very cold with a bitter wind, but this didn’t stop all the players of both teams making this a fantastic game and great advert for the Junior Premier League.
Early exchanges were pretty even with both sides having chances. This continued through the first two periods with defenders at each end being kept very busy. This was enforced by both gold & silver awards for Coventry and our own Thomas Walton (G) & Jake Lilley (S) taking the honours for some outstanding performances. Jay Richardson picked up bronze for Diamonds with some excellent ball distribution dominating centre ground.
We had to wait until the 3rd period before a scramble in the area resulted in Harvey Jameson bundling home a goal for the Diamonds. It was a similar goal that won the match from Jake Bamsey in the final period for a well-deserved and hard fought 2-0 win.
JPL match report can be found here
Histon F.C. U13s 1 v 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s
Played at the Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon
We travelled away for a later than usual 1pm kick off. Greeted by snow then rain and a freezing cold wind both teams dealt with the conditions well.
This is the fourth time we have met this season and every game has been a close affair and this was no different.
We played with two forwards and looked to press Histon in their third of the pitch and on a number of occasions because of the hard work Callum and Taran put in we had some success without creating any real clear cut chances. Our team shape was good throughout are starting to show a good understanding.
The first two periods were 50/50. In the third period we won a free kick just outside the 18 yard box which was struck beautifully in to the Histon net by Dan Lyons making it 1-0. It gave us a real lift and we started to play with more intensity and created some good chances but did not take them.
The final period saw Histon looking to turn our back four with some balls over the top. Dan Edwards dealing with two confidently and due to his good starting position. Histon though found their way down our right and a clever ball across was met by Harry Winter and he slotted the ball home into the corner.
Again throughout the encounter both sides played with a great spirit and determination and we wish Histon all the best for the rest of the season.
JPL match report can be found here
Histon F.C. U14s v AFC Rushden & Diamonds U14s
Match was cancelled by Histon.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U15s 2 v 0 Corby Town F.C. U15s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
Slow starts by both teams on this bitterly cold morning. The first period was very even but the second opened up more. Diamonds were rewarded with the first goal from Osei Hayford. The Corby Town keeper kept Diamonds adding to their tally in the third period with some excellent saves. Hayford did manage to break through for his & Diamonds second in the final period to take the spoils.
JPL match report can be found here
Fixtures for Saturday 7th February 2015
U12s – currently no game
U13s – currently no game
U14s – JPL Knockout Shield at home v. Sol Moors F.C.
U15s – JPL Knockout Shield at home v. Leam Hibs F.C.
U16s – JPL Knockout Cup at Oxford City F.C.
