Here is a summary of our teams’ performances from this weekend’s league and cup action.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U12s 4 v 0 Middleton Cheney F.C. U12s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
This was a quarter final match in the JPL Knockout Cup (planner can be found here).
To follow…
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s 1 v 3 Birmingham City F.C. Whites U13s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
We welcomed BCFC Whites to MAA . The first game between the two saw BCFC whites win 2-0 very comfortably and we did not pose any real threat. Although the score line is similar this game really could have gone either way. Both sides played some good football and created an equal amount of opportunities throughout. The first period was tight with the best opportunity falling to Alex Rust who had made a fantastic supporting run. His effort went over but really showed the intent as Diamonds continued to use the width and looked to play diagonal balls through.
The second period saw both sides again create some chances. Birmingham took advantage of two with Andreas Fata and Morgan Greenhill adding a second managing to get a shot away when under pressure from three defenders. Diamonds were very much still in this game and the midfield unit continued to work hard and created more chances. Finlay Little worked hard as the lone striker. Diamonds made some tactical changes at the beginning of the third period and got there reward when Carter Brophy delivered an excellent corner which Dan Lyons finished well with an unstoppable header. Lyons had started to dominate the middle and had a number of strikes at goal and was unfortunate to add to his tally from a fee kick and another strike which the keeper did well to parry. BCFC created an opportunity on the edge of the 18 yard box and Morgan Greenhill curled the ball brilliantly and scored a goal which would grace any game to make the score 1-3.
The fourth period again was end to end and good performances from all the players that took part. Diamonds pressed forcing the keeper to kick. Both sets of players showed first class attitude and we wish BCFC all the best for the rest of the season.
JPL match report can be found here
Corby Town F.C. U15s 0 v 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U15s
Played at Kingswood
Some great football played from both sides. It remained 0-0 first quarter and the second quarter started well for the Hosts. Some great shots from Elliot Ward only to hit the Diamonds cross bar and some great goal keeping from the Diamonds keeper. Great counter attacks from Diamonds pressed Corby’s back four, this game was end to end and very even keeping the score 0-0 for the second quarter. The third quarter Diamonds seemed to be press a little more and creating space down their left hand side but Corby still held shape and battled. The fourth quarter Diamonds turned the gas on Corby’s back four and broke through on many occasions. Some great passing in Corby’s saw Diamonds create a great cross from the right wing only to be put away and finished well by Lee Goldsborough. Corby had some counter attacks at times but not taking their chances when they most needed it. Only minutes remaining and Corby were on the back foot again, a great through ball to Jake Lancaster into the Corby’s box only to slot it past the keeper making it Corby 0- 2 Rusden & Diamonds. A game that was very competitive from the off some great displays of football were shown, well done to both teams.
JPL match report can be found here
Solihull Moors F.C. U16s 0 v 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U16s
Played at The Recreation Ground
In the first half Diamonds had the strong wind with them and against in the second. Diamonds controlled the early exchanges mainly due to the Hosts constantly conceding possession, but also to their much higher intensity. Solihull gradually got into the game and upped their tempo in the second period. Diamonds pressed a shaky defensive line of the Hosts and were rewarded from a poor pass across the back that was intercepted and slotted home by Farah. Another interception hit the Solihull upright shortly after. The second half saw Solihull come back strong creating a handful of chance. In the final minutes Solihull were awarded a penalty. A fine save from the Diamonds keeper earned the visitors the win. In summary the key to the victory lay with the Diamonds defence, who in the second half stood strong against wave after wave of attacks – the back four put their bodies on the line and won every cross.
JPL match report can be found here
