AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18 / MAA failed to get the better of Manor Sports College this season, after the return fixture finished in a 2-2 draw, their first draw of the season.
Diamonds hosted Manor in their last game before the Christmas holiday, when they lost 3-2, after previously leading 2-1. Following a thumping 8-0 victory over Derby, just 12 days before, Diamonds were unable to inflict revenge to Manor, who have only lost once this season.
Diamonds were without goalkeeper Rhys Barnes and midfielder Nathan Weeks who were unavailable and injured respectively.
The wind was against the MAA boys in the first half, and they found it really difficult to get in their usual passing rhythm.
Manor started the brighter team, and the scholars perhaps undeservedly went ahead with Luke Garner in the 13th minute. A through ball over the top to the lone striker, and he volleyed over the goalkeeper to give Diamonds the lead.
But Manor fought back and as the better team, got a deserved equaliser. Manor played a 3-5-2 formation, a line-up Purse’s lads weren’t used to, so the scholars had to adapt and look for new ideas.
However, they didn’t manage to trouble the Manor defence again the first half, with their only real opening coming as they took the lead.
Half Time. Raunds Manor College 1-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds / MAA.
In the second half, Diamonds performed a lot better. Perhaps due to the wind being in the scholar’s backs.
Substitute Harrison Desborough put the youths back ahead with a goal straight from a corner. With the assist of the wind, the in swinging corner found its way into the back of the net to make it 2-1.
However, like in the previous fixture, the scholars were unable to hold onto their lead. Not for the first time is season, Diamonds conceded from a corner on 79mins to level the scoring 2-2.
However Diamonds had a golden opportunity to steal an undeserved victory. Harrison Desborough who made an impact when he came on, took on three Manor defenders before being brought down inside the box with one minute left of the 90. Top scorer Matt Pinder stepped up, and his powerful strike was deflected onto the cross-bar by the goalkeeper.
Full Time. Raunds Manor College 2-2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds / MAA.
Team: Redding, Peaks, Knapp, Kearney, Uddin, Kirk (c), Ackroyd, Leeson, Pinder, Hewett, Garner.
Subs: Grundy, Ivett, Desborough, Roache.
Manager Darren Purse said: “We were lucky to go into the break at one each, Manor were perhaps the better team in the first half. However I feel we did enough in the 2nd half to win the game. I’m not blaming Matty [Pinder] but it’s disappointing to be in with a great chance to win the game, but it’s turned out to cost us. He’s been brilliant for us this season, and hopefully he’ll carry on scoring the goals to help us win the league.”
The boss also explained a new training method in which the lads are benefitting from. “Similarly to the first team, we had the game videoed, and we will go back and watch what went wrong in the first half. It’s part of their education, looking at their weaknesses rather than just playing.”
