Sunday 15th April 2007 at Cecil Street, Rothwell Town FC
Match Report: Northampton Tn Ladies 2 - 2 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
(AET - Rushden & Diamonds won 7-6 on penalties)
(Northants Women's Cup Final)
After last season's penalty loss to Northampton in the first ever County Women's Cup Final, Diamonds got revenge in an enthralling and entertaining match at Rothwell Town's Cecil Street Ground. After 120 minutes plus 13 minutes stoppage time on the hottest day of the year, it was a shame that one team had to loose and the crowd of around 160 witnessed a fascinating contest.
Northampton Town had reached the Final with wins over Earls Barton United Women and Peterborough Azure Ladies, while Diamonds had beaten Corby Stewart & Lloyds and Rothwell Town Ladies. The rivalry between the sides meant that it was always going to be a tough game and it certainly lived up to expectations. Former Diamonds Stephanie Jamison, Lisa Porter and Laura Sutherland all started for Northampton, while Amy Diment was preferred in goal for Diamonds. Bethan Lee recovered from a back injury to start, while both Caroline Moran and Lottie Clark were named on the bench also having been passed fit before the game.
Diamonds tried to calm their nerves straight from the kick-off and within 23 seconds, Bethan Lee tried her luck with a long shot which went wide. Diamonds tried to take the game to Northampton during the opening ten minutes, but were unable to find a way through. Northampton forced a couple of corners, and it was from the second one on 14 minutes that they got the break through. As Diamonds cleared the ball away, Lizzie Todd lobbed the ball back in to give Northampton the lead, the high bounce beating keeper Amy Diment.
The goal seemed to give Northampton more confidence as they tried press home their advantage, but Diamonds drew level on 22 minutes, when a long ball up field was chased down by Vicky Gallagher. As Nikki Duncan hesitated, Gallagher nipped in and took the ball past the keeper before slipping the ball into the centre where Ashley Palmer slotted the ball home.
Diamonds nearly took the lead moments later when a quick break out found Gallagher in space. She squared the ball to Palmer who hooked her shot over the bar. At the other end, Stephanie Jamison had a shot blocked, but Lizzie Todd was injured in the build up and had to retire. Northampton continued to press for the lead again, but just after the half hour, it was Diamonds who scored. After a quick break by Aileen Whelan, the ball was played forward to Gallagher and forced out for a corner by Hayley Gallacchi. The corner from Molly Marsh was floated away from the danger area, but found Gallagher just outside the box. She lobbed the ball back in, and when the ball was allowed to bounce, Ashley Palmer beat the keeper to the ball and bundled it over the line.
On 39 minutes, Diamonds nearly extended their lead, first when a long ball forward nearly caught out the Northampton keeper, and then when Gallagher had a shot deflected from the ensuing corner. But it was Northampton that equalised deep into first half injury time. Lisa Porter took the ball down the left, and was given time to cross into the centre for Hayley Gallacchi to fire a 25 yard shot over Amy Diment and into the roof of the net.
Half time: Northampton Tn Ladies 2 - 2 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Their goal just before the break seemed to inspire Northampton and most of the early play was in the Diamonds half. Despite their dominance, they were unable to press home their advantage. Emma Beckett's free kick was well held by Amy Diment, while moments later, a poor clearance from the keeper put Samantha Christie in. As Diment tried to scramble back, she slipped but just managed to get a hand to knock the ball out for a corner. Emma Beckett headed over from the corner.
Diamonds continued to struggle, and Anna McLeod and Caroline Moran were introduced on 64 minutes in order to change things around, although it was still Northampton that were having the better possession. Diamonds continued to hold out. Fay Howell made a good run down the left on 77 minutes, but her shot posed little problem for Diment. She was also equal to a Beckett free kick which was punched clear.
As the game entered the final five minutes, both sides made a final effort. Caroline Moran's centre was met perfectly by Gallagher, but Nikki Duncan's just got a hand to divert the header away. It was Northampton's turn moments later as Hannah Cave broke out of defence and ran virtually the entire length of the field before being fouled by Amy O'Brien just outside the area. Howell's free kick hit the crossbar and out of play.
Full time: Northampton Tn Ladies 2 - 2 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
With the scorching weather, the last thing either side wanted was extra time. Diamonds seemed to get a second wind and after Northampton's domination of the second half, Diamonds went on the attack. Anna McLeod sent in a long shot which the keeper fumbled and diverted out for a corner, but there was some concern on 97 minutes, when player manager Gallagher had to leave the field with severe cramp. With a player short having used all their subs, Northampton had a couple of chances. Amy Diment could only parry a shot by Beckett, but McLeod cleared the ball off the line, while just before the break Amy O'Brien was adjudged to have handled outside the area, but Beckett's free kick was again too high.
Gallagher returned at the start of the second period of extra time, but it was more a case of not conceding goal for both sides. Northampton's Howell had a chance from the left side of the area on 108 minutes, but hooked her shot high and wide. Diamonds looked comfortable in the final ten minutes and Gallagher shot wide just before the final whistle.
After extra time: Northampton Tn Ladies 2 - 2 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
After each side had converted the regulation five penalties, it was down to sudden death. All the penalties had left the keepers with no chance, and the scoring continued with the next three spot kicks. It was down to Fay Howell to take the fourteenth penalty, and after having an excellent game for Northampton, it was unfortunate that her kick cleared the bar sparking celebrations in the Diamonds camp as they took the County Cup.
Penalties scored:
Rushden & Diamonds Northampton Town
Caroline Moran Jade Linnell
Anna McLeod Emma Beckett
Ashley Palmer Lisa Porter
Kelly Robinson Hayley Gallacchi
Charly Wright Sarah Bland
Rosie Thurston Nikki Duncan
Vicky Gallagher =
Diamonds won 7-6 on penalties
The game was an excellent advert for the Ladies game, and showed how far the game has progressed over the past few years. Although Diamonds lifted the Cup, both sides could take credit from how they played the game. The teams will meet again on Thursday 19th April (1945 kick off) at the Dog & Duck, Wellingborough Town FC in a vital League fixture. With Northampton three points behind Diamonds in the SE Combination, it looks certain to be another epic encounter.
Teams:
Northampton Town Ladies: Nikki Duncan, Hannah Cave, Hayley Gallacchi, Stephanie Jamison (Sarah Bland 105), Fay Howell, Emma Beckett (c), Lucy Bateman (Natalie Smith 75), Jade Linnell, Lisa Porter, Lizzie Todd (Samantha Christie 27), Laura Sutherland.
Subs not used: Nil.
Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Amy Diment, Amy O'Brien, Kelly Robinson, Rosie Thurston (c), Kirsty Cooper (Caroline Moran 64), Bethan Lee (Anna McLeod 64), Molly Marsh (Lottie Clark 77), Charly Wright, Ashley Palmer, Aileen Whelan, Vicky Gallagher.
Subs not used: Charlene Ward, Lucy Piggott.
Goals: Lizzie Todd 14 (1-0); Ashley Palmer 22 (1-1); Ashley Palmer 32 (1-2); Hayley Gallacchi 45+ (2-2).
