In a rain affected and soaked weekend, here are the match summaries for each of our Academy teams.
A minutes silence was very respectively observed by all teams in respect of our fallen service men & women.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U12s 5 v 1 Sol Moors U12s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
This fixture was reversed due to the appalling weather conditions in the Birmingham area. Diamonds shot out of the blocks and really took this match by the scruff of the neck, with some very good football at times, scoring a goal in each of the first two periods for a 2-0 lead at half-time. Arek Rozyczka, on debut and following promotion from the Development Squad, got a well deserved goal in the 3rd period. Diamonds continued pressure throughout the match opened up Solihull in the final period with two further goals for a convincing display and 5-1 win.
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s 3 v 6 WBA Colts U13s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
West Brom visited MMA today. Both teams respected the pre match minute silence and throughout the whole game the players were a credit to each club and the JPL.
The match was played at a high intensity and high quality with both teams looking to pass the ball. Diamonds made the initial breakthrough with Ed Farrell finishing well after a good Diamonds move. West Brom continued to pressure and played some great football but could not finish it off and some good Diamonds defending kept the score at 1-0 to the end of the second period.
The third period saw West Brom’s pressure finally pay off and they got a well deserved equaliser but Diamonds came right back and Ed Farrell again finishing made it 2-1 at the end of the third period.
The final period was a goal feast. Firstly West Brom equalised again. Another good move and great finish to equalise. Then Taran Dhawali hit a shot from the left hand corner of the 18 yard box that beat the West Brom keeper. West Brom kept coming forward and the pressure told as they started to find space in between the lines of Rushden. Another equaliser went in and West Brom seemed to go up a gear as the resolute Diamonds started to tire and they added a 4th quickly followed in the last ten minutes by two other goals. Making the final score 3-6.
Another great advert for the JPL as the game was high quality throughout.
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U15s 3 v 6 Sutton Coldfield Town U15s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
A good strong battling performance from both teams, with next to nothing in it over the first half, only separated by a Sutton goal from a corner. The second half started similarly and it wasn’t until the final quarter the game really livened up, but Sutton snatched another goal on the counter attack. Diamonds piled on the pressure, forcing the ball home from a corner and in the dying minutes of the game it was all one way traffic. Unfortunately the equaliser never came but it was an exciting game throughout.
JPL match report can be found here
Birmingham City U16s 2 v 5 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U16s
Played at Birmingham City
JPL match report can be found here
