Sunday 21st October 2007 at the Dog & Duck, Wellingborough Town FC

Match Report:  Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 1 - 2 Ipswich Town Ladies

(South East Combination)

Diamonds Ladies suffered their second home defeat of the season against the League leaders Ipswich Town. Despite taking an early lead through Rosie Thurston, goals either side of the break gave Town the three points which puts them in the driving seat with half of the current season now completed.

Jade Linnell returned to the midfield after injury with Fay Howell dropping to the bench, while Amy O'Brien, Anna McLeod and Kirsty Cooper were all out. Leanna Doyle moved to right back, with Kelly Robinson returning to the side at left back.

Both sides tried their luck in the first few minutes, with Jade Linnell shooting at keeper Faye Lunn and Town's Kat Parnell firing wide from 25 yards, but it was a fairly even opening period. Ipswich were looking dangerous going forward and a right wing cross from Ami Warnes on 11 minutes evaded everyone in the middle and was cleared to safety.

Diamonds seem to be causing the visitors little problems but on 19 minutes, Mikeala Welford fired in a shot which was blocked for a corner. Molly Marsh sent the corner towards the near post, where Rosie Thurston just beat Vicki Stephens to the ball and forced it across the line to give Diamonds the lead.

Thurston and Stephens clashed almost immediately at the other end, with the Diamonds defender putting in a great tackle to extinguish any attempt on goal. On 27 minutes, a poor throw out from Nicola Raith nearly put her side in trouble as the ball was intercepted by Ami Warnes. Her pass to Justine Peacock allowed Raith to make amends by saving her attempt at goal. Moments later, it was Diamonds who had another good chance from a corner after Stephanie Thompson's shot was saved by the keeper. Ipswich looked poor defending corners and Diamonds were unlucky not to go two up when Laura Dunn hit the bar.

Ipswich however, were level on 35 minutes and again, the goal came from a poorly defended corner. Ami Warnes sent the ball to the far post, where unmarked Vicki Stephens coolly knocked the ball past Raith to make it 1-1. The goal seemed to affect the Diamonds keeper, and another poor clearance almost allowed the visitors to take the lead. Ami Warnes again picked up the keepers clearance and she crossed to Kat Peacock who shot at goal. Raith did well to push the ball up onto the bar, and gather the ball as it bounced down on the goal-line.

Just before the break, Diamonds had the ball in the net again as Rosie Thurston shot them in front during a goalmouth scramble, but the referee decided an infringement had taken place and disallowed the goal.

Half time: Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 1 - 1 Ipswich Town Ladies

Diamonds made one change at the start of the second half with Fay Howell replacing Stephanie Thompson, but they went to sleep as the visitors got a vital goal within 30 seconds of the restart. Kim Rex ran on to a loose ball inside Diamonds half and fired a high ball towards goal. Keeper Nicola Raith seemed to think the ball was going over the bar, but as the ball dipped down, she could only get her fingertips to the ball as it dropped into the net.

On 55 minutes, Emily Blake tested the Diamonds keeper with a long shot, but Ipswich were not causing too many problems for the home side. Diamonds were also having trouble testing the Faye Lunn in the Ipswich goal, and despite increasing pressure, Aileen Whelan's shot from just outside the area which just drifted wide of the post posed the only danger for the visitors. Thurston's free-kick on 68 minutes was dropped by Lunn as Diamonds tried to step up a gear, but the ball fell nicely and the danger was cleared. Her handling was better as Charly Wright fired in a shot from distance moments later.

Manager Vicky Gallagher came on for the final fifteen minutes, with Ashley Palmer as Diamonds tried change the stalemate and get an important equaliser. A chance almost fell to Gallagher when the keeper dropped a cross from Fay Howell, but defender Lindsey Smith was on hand to clear before she could react. The same defender had to be alert again after Aileen Whelan challenged the keeper for a cross in the final minute, clearing again as the ball went loose.

Full time: Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 1 - 2 Ipswich Town Ladies

So at the halfway point in the season, Ipswich go 9 points ahead of Diamonds, who drift down the table following wins for Enfield Town and Lewes. They were certainly the best side Diamonds have played this season, but there are still several teams challenging for the title and Ipswich will have their work cut out keeping their lead for the remainder of the season. Next week, Diamonds take a break from Combination football, traveling to Leicestershire where they take on Loughborough Students in the FA Women's Cup 1st Round tie.

Teams:

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Nicola Raith, Leanna Doyle, Kelly Robinson, Rosie Thurston, Laura Dunn (Vicky Gallagher 75), Aileen Whelan, Molly Marsh, Charly Wright, Stephanie Thompson (Fay Howell HT), Jade Linnell, Mikaela Welford (Ashley Palmer 75).

Subs not used: Caroline Moran.

Ipswich Town Ladies: Faye Lunn, Emma Gregory, Lindsey Smith, Vicki Stephens, Hannah Gordon, Emily Blake, Kim Rex (Krystal Monaghan 75), Justine Peacock, Ami Warnes (Michelle Allum 75), Kristie Turner, Kat Parnell.

Subs not used: Hannah Weise.

Goals: Rosie Thurston 19 (1-0), Vicki Stephens 35

           (1-1), Kim Rex 46 (1-2).

By Dave Mason

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Other results (SE Combination):

AFC Wimbledon 0 Gillingham 10

Bedford Town Bells 3 Enfield Town 7

Lewes 2 Cambridge City 0

Welwyn Garden City P Whitehawk P

Click here for current League table.

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Forthcoming fixtures:

28th October FAWC/1 Loughborough Students (Away)

4th November Enfield Town (Home)

11th November Gillingham (Away)

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Reserve Team fixture

Midland Combination Reserves

Leicester City Women P - P Rushden & Diamonds