Sunday 26th August 2007 at the Dog & Duck, Wellingborough Town FC

Match Report:  Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 5 - 1 Cambridge City Ladies

(South East Combination)

Diamonds strength and fitness proved too much for newly promoted Cambridge City as they bravely fought to follow up their opening day win against Bedford Town Bells. After Diamonds had gained a two goal cushion midway through the second half, two late injury time goals gave them a 5-1 victory.

Diamonds were still missing player manager Vicky Gallagher, Caroline Moran and Aileen Whelan, but Bethan Lee was available and named on the bench. Full back Amy O'Brien was also unavailable with Leanna Doyle starting, while Mikaela Welford replaced Ashley Palmer in attack.

The first 15 minutes proved to be fairly even with both sides testing each other. City's Sophia Piotrowski had an early chance after being set up by Ali Wright, but Mikaela Welford shot over moments later after some neat passing from Fay Howell and Jade Linnell. Molly Marsh also had a good chance but shot straight at the keeper. Although Cambridge were unable to match Diamonds passing game, they gave Diamonds little time on the ball and closed down at every opportunity.

Two more chances fell on 20 minutes, when Fay Howell crossed from the left for Charly Wright to shoot at the keeper, while a pass across the area to Jade Linnell set up Welford to shoot just wide. Diamonds finally took the lead on 23 minutes after a run down the left flank by Charly Wright. Her cross found Fay Howell, who had the time to turn and place a shot into the bottom corner leaving keeper Becky Sawiuk with no chance.

Moments later, Charly Wright fired into the side netting after some good work by Anna McLeod and Fay Howell but on 31 minutes, Cambridge forced their way back into the game. A throw in on the right found Sophia Piotrowski with space to shoot past Charlene Ward from the edge of the area to equalise for the visitors.

A further chance fell to Rosie Thurston, who headed over a Linnell corner, but on 40 minutes, Diamonds took the lead again. Anna McLeod's run at the defence forced another corner. Wright's inswinger found Mikaela Welford at the far post, who bundled the ball over the line.

Half time: Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 2 - 1 Cambridge City Ladies

Cambridge tried an immediate comeback after the break with Nat Hoyles firing wide from long range. Diamonds continued with some good passing, although Cambridge continued to close down quickly. Bethan Lee came on for Mikaela Welford on 59 minutes and within four minutes, won a penalty for the home side. Jade Linnell passed out to Charly Wright on the left who centred for Lee, but the keeper impeded the Diamonds forward as she tried to chip the ball into the net. Although the ball fell to Howell who scored, the referee had already pointed to the spot. Jade Linnell converted the spot kick low to the keepers left to give Diamonds the two goal cushion they had been striving for.

Fay Howell suffered an ankle injury after 67 minutes, during another Diamonds attack which saw shots from Lee and McLeod both blocked, and Linnell shoot wide. Cambridge were looking under more pressure as the half progressed and any attack from the visitors was dealt with quite comfortably by Diamonds defence. After an excellent debut at Enfield the previous weekend, Stephanie Thompson replaced the injured Howell. It was Thompson who had a great chance to increase the lead on 77 minutes after Molly Marsh had drawn the keeper out on the right, but as the defenders tried to cover, she shot over the bar from 10 yards.

Cambridge lost some discipline in the final ten minutes, with Hannah Goodchild receiving a yellow card for dissent, although another long shot from Jody Lapish went just wide. Diamonds Laura Dunn had looked solid in midfield all afternoon and set up Lee with another chance in the closing minutes, but the striker was unable to get her shot away before being closed down.

In added time however, Diamonds scored twice. Bethan Lee played a great one-two with Thompson blasting a shot into the top of the net. Within a minute, Marsh's corner was knocked back for her to cross again, this time finding Rosie Thurston who headed home from close range.   

Full time: Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 5 - 1 Cambridge City Ladies

Diamonds had put a lot of emphasis on fitness training over the pre-season and its importance was shown over the closing twenty five minutes when they took control of the game. The hot and sunny afternoon didn't help the visitors, but having lost only two matches last season during their promotion campaign, they showed a good deal of confidence and are likely to be a difficult side to beat. Diamonds meanwhile prepare to visit AFC Wimbledon next Sunday 2nd September at the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium (adjacent to AFC Wimbledon's ground) - 2pm kick-off.

Teams:

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Charlene Ward, Leanna Doyle, Kirsty Cooper, Rosie Thurston, Anna McLeod (Kelly Robinson 76), Laura Dunn, Molly Marsh, Charly Wright, Mikaela Welford (Bethan Lee 59), Fay Howell (Stephanie Thompson 69), Jade Linnell.

Subs not used: Nicci Raith, Ashley Palmer.

Cambridge City Ladies: Becky Sawiuk, Hannah Goodchild, Emma Roberts (Alice Hope 90), Jordan Holland, Jo Gomm, Shona Kelly, Ali Wright, Jody Lapish, Sophia Piotrowski, Mel Findlater (Nicola Geogham 71), Nat Hoyles.

Subs not used: Nil.

Goals: Fay Howell 23 (1-0), Sophia Piotrowski 31 (1-1), Mikaela Welford  40 (2-1), Jade Linnell 64pen (3-1), Bethan Lee 90+2 (4-1), Rosie Thurston 90+3 (5-1).

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Other results:

Bedford Town Bells v AFC Wimbledon postponed

Lewes 5 Gillingham 0

Northampton Town 0 Enfield 5

Welwyn Garden City 5 Ipswich Town 0

Forthcoming fixtures:

2nd September AFC Wimbledon (Away)

9th September Lewes (Home)

16th September Bedford Town Bell (Away)