Wellingborough Whitworth U18 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18 4

Wellingborough Whitworth 2-4 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Northants Senior Youth League

AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18s recorded their fourth successive victory, further cementing their place at the summit of the NSYL Western Division table. A couple of early strikes set the Diamonds on the way, but two sloppily conceded second half goals made the scoreline look far closer than it should have been.

Rushden got off to the perfect start with just three minutes on the clock, netting from their first attack of the game. Zak Moon burst forward from midfield, playing the ball over the top of the home defence for Conor Bell to run on and lob the ball over the advancing ‘keeper to open the scoring against his former club.

Things got even better on six minutes, as the provider for the first goal turned scorer of the second, Matt Smith picking out Moon just inside the penalty area, and the midfielder calmly slotted the ball home.

The game settled down after this lively start, with Whitworth tightening things up at the back, and the Diamonds seemingly content with their two goal advantage. There was a half chance for a third visitors’ goal on the 20 minute mark, but Fred Devereaux’s looping header just cleared the crossbar.

Bell was clearly fired up for this match against his former teammates, and he went close to a second goal as the half hour approached, but after turning past two defenders he could only shoot weakly at goal from just outside the box.

The hosts’ closest effort of the half came from Kyle Walter just a minute later, as the midfielder won the ball back with a strong challenge before firing in a 25 yard shot which was deflected just wide of the Rushden goal. Then, with the half time interval approaching, the lively Nick Lee turned well and tried his luck from a similar distance, but got just too much height on the shot, with the ball narrowly clearing Alex Vitue’s goal.

HT: Wellingborough Whitworth 0-2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Having taken their foot off the pedal after the great start to the game, the young Diamonds were determined to stamp their authority again at the start of the second half. Smith showed their intentions inside the first minute, cutting in from the left flank, beating his man, and firing just wide from the edge of the box.

Their plans took a setback however, as the hosts got themselves back into the game with a fortuitous goal on 53 minutes. A powerfully struck free kick from Nick Lee seemed straightforward for Vitue, but the pace on the ball coupled with the difficult weather conditions appeared to deceive the Rushden ‘keeper and he fumbled the ball into the net.

The goal seemed to spur on the Diamonds, and they should have restored their two goal lead just a minute later. Smith played the ball through to substitute Anthony Ottaway who used his pace to race clear of the defence, but Whitworth ‘keeper Billy James Ward was quick off his line and made a good stop at the feet of the Rushden winger. Another substitute, Blake Helsdown, had a similar chance a few minutes later, but after racing onto Ottaway’s through ball, he dragged his shot just wide of the upright.

The visitors sensed a third goal was on the cards, and it duly arrived on the hour mark. Smith ran onto a great ball through the home defence, firing in a powerful shot which beat the ‘keeper and cannoned back off the post, but Helsdown was on hand to smash in the rebound from close range.

The Diamonds continued to press forward at every opportunity and it seemed like they would go on to win the game comfortably. Five minutes after the third goal, Smith burst through the defence again, but slotted wide with only the ‘keeper to beat.

Ottaway was the next to go close for Rushden, running forward from deep before hitting a 20 yard shot that looked destined for the bottom corner, only to see Ward make a fine save, tipping the ball around the post.

But with about 15 minutes remaining, the hosts scored a freak goal to get themselves right back into the game. The Diamonds looked under very little pressure as Luke Fathers knocked the ball back to his goalkeeper, but the usually rock solid Vitue miscontrolled the pass, allowing Harry Langley the simple task of tapping home from right in front of the goal.

Any nerves that may have been creeping into the Rushden players were dispersed inside 60 seconds, as Helsdown netted his second goal of the game to restore the two goal cushion. The pacey winger broke down the right flank, hitting a low cross which was cut out by the Whitworth’s defence, but the ball fell kindly for Helsdown again, and he sweetly curled the ball into the far corner of the net.

The final 13 minutes saw Rushden dominate and go close to a fifth goal on a couple of occasions. A dangerous cross from Ottaway found Smith, whose diving header was glanced narrowly wide of the far post, before Helsdown setup Moon just outside the penalty area, but his effort was also just off target.

FT: Wellingborough Whitworth 2-4 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Attendance: 66

Man of the Match: Noah Bryant

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Images courtesy of Mal Swinden ©2012 Malcolm Swinden Photography

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