Harry Robinson Trophy: Diamonds 3 Cambridge City 0

A very young Diamonds side made it three wins from three games in the Harry Robinson Trophy by beating Cambridge City at Hayden Road on Saturday afternoon.

A 9th minute Tom Lorraine run and shot and a great strike by Nat Gosnal-Tyler just after the half-hour had Diamonds in control 2-0 at half-time. Impressive full-back Trialist No 2 with a diving header completed the scoring.

With a number of “starters” away Andy Peaks picked possibly the youngest line-up in Diamonds history. Patrick Casey and Ryan Hughes partnered at the back with Sam Warburton and Trialist 2 in front of Ben Heath. Matt Slinn and Fernando Bell-Toxtle held midfield with Joel Gyasi, Jesse Akubuine, and Nat Gosnal-Tyler ahead of them and Tom Lorraine leading the line.

Fans enjoyed seeing Joel Gyasi back in the line-up and he looked really sharp. He created the first real chance on 7 minutes showing great control to receive the ball and ride a rough looking challenge before sliding a great ball through to Jesse Akubuine who just miss-hit his effort with the keeper closing.

The opening goal came just 2 minutes later as the lively Tom Lorraine cut in from the left and slotted confidently under the keeper in front of a delighted Peter De Banke Terrace.

Cambridge had a really lively front three and they fashioned two clean breaks into the box in the early stages seeing Ben Heath block one effort really well and the second effort fired over the bar under pressure.

Tom Lorraine saw his moment for a glory goal on 18 minutes as he broke forward down the right played the ball up to Joel Gyasi then saw it break back into his path 35 yards out and he couldn’t resist a flying volley which just went over….the Peter De Banke Terrace!!

Cambridge fashioned another great chance on the half-hour the striker breaking free into the edge of the area and firing a low effort that looked to be heading to the bottom corner before Ben Heath at full stretch tipped it wide.

Diamonds got a deserved second on 32 minutes as Nat Gosnal-Tyler cut in from the right and hit a vicious strike across the keeper into the bulging net. They then had a goal disallowed on 39 minutes as Patrick Casey finished beautifully at the far post from another great Matt Slinn free-kick but saw the offside flag go straight up.

There was time for another break by the Cambridge front three with the striker bursting into the box but slicing his effort wide under pressure again.

Half-time: Diamonds 2 Cambridge City 0

After a first half that was pretty even in terms of chances the second-half was largely controlled by Diamonds who managed to introduce even younger players without disrupting their pattern of play.

Tom Binder and Fraser Corden came on in midfield and Bailey Wetherby up front and none looked out of place. Two young Trialist’s joined the back four and looked comfortable from the off.

Trialist 2 was impressing again in his third outing and raided forward on 58 Minutes from half-way right into the box only to see his low effort blocked away.

He then got the goal his play deserved on 73 minutes when ghosting into the penalty area for a diving header to convert Matt Slinn’s free-kick.

One final effort from Trialist 16 came after patient possession football that was the pattern of the half followed by a quick break forward where the young full-back hit a rasping effort from 30 yards that was deflected up into the air and had to be tipped over by the retreating keeper.

Full-time: Diamonds 3 Cambridge City 0

Another good performance full of energy and good passing saw Diamonds “top the group” in this competition. A young side impressed manager Andy Peaks and the 236 fans in attendance and showed promising signs for the strength of this year’s squad. Tom Lorraine and Nat Gosnal-Tyler scored excellent goals to raise the spirits and Trialist 2 capped a third good performance with a well taken goal.

The final of the competition will see Diamonds take on Cambridge City again but at Kempston Rovers this time next Saturday 17th July with a 3.30 kick-off.

Attendance: 236

Reporters Man of the Match: Trialist 2

Match Report: Paul Judd