Sunday 18th November 2007 at the City Ground, Cambridge City FC

Match Report:  Cambridge City 0 - 5 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

(South East Combination)

With only two Combination fixtures due to County and FA Cup matches, Diamonds had the chance to gain some ground on the leading clubs at the top. After three consecutive defeats, goals from Caroline Moran, Aileen Whelan and a hat-trick from central defender Rosie Thurston provided a good tonic to get them back to winning ways.

After a number of poor results over recent weeks, Diamonds were not only looking for a win but were also looking to put in an impressive performance, and assistant manager Tony Blake played a 4-3-3 formation. Caroline Moran started in attack for the first time this season, with leading scorer Mikaela Welford dropping to the bench. They started the stronger of the two sides in the opening minutes and Aileen Whelan was close to putting the away side in front after a through pass from Caroline Moran, but keeper Liz Pamplin was quick to react and stop the danger. After just 5 minutes, Diamonds took the lead after Charly Wright pressurised Clare Byrne into conceding a corner. Stephanie Thompson's corner kick found Rosie Thurston in the centre to head home from close range.

Diamonds nearly took advantage of some wayward kicking from the home keeper, with Aileen Whelan shooting wide and Leanna Doyle's shot being turned around the post for a corner after poor clearances. Whelan had another effort from a corner saved by the Pamplin. With Diamonds dominant in midfield, Cambridge were relying on the quick ball forward to Sophia Piotrowska but apart from Shona Kelly shooting wide, they posed little danger in attack.

On 21 minutes, another corner led to Diamonds' second goal. Charly Wright sent the ball into the middle. After a couple of efforts were blocked, the ball fell nicely to Caroline Moran who shot past the City keeper. Diamonds continued to have chances, with Laura Dunn striking the top of the bar,

On the half hour, Diamonds made it three and again, it was scored from another corner. Wright's corner found Rosie Thurston in the centre to poke the ball home. Some good defensive work from Clare Byrne and Jordan Holland at the back kept the score-line down as Moran did well to set up chances. Before the break, Thurston nearly got her third with a long range shot which went just wide.

Half time: Cambridge City 0 - 3 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

The second half was riddled with stoppages as the home side found it difficult to cope with the pace of the Diamonds attack. Mikaela Welford replaced the injured Laura Dunn at half time and the physios were called into action early on after a collision between keeper Liz Pamplin and Charly Wright on the edge of the area resulted in a 4 minute stoppage. On 52 minutes however, Diamonds went four up as Moran sent a great ball inside to Rosie Thurston. Looking for a hat-trick, the central defender fired a low shot past the keeper and just inside the post.

Diamonds lost Caroline Moran on 61 minutes with an ankle injury and continued with a player short as Cambridge tried to take advantage. Shona Kelly shot was saved by Charlene Ward, but moments later, Kelly herself had to go off with an injury. Piotrowska's cross for substitute Ali Wright was headed over the bar. On 80 minutes, Moran came back on to even things up again, but a knee injury to Welford moments later meant Diamonds were down to ten players yet again.

Cambridge had a good opportunity to get one back on 82 minutes as Tash Collins raced towards goal. Kirsty Cooper was fortunate not to receive a card as she brought the player down on the edge of the box. Piotrowska's free kick was cleared away.

On 86 minutes, some good link play between Aileen Whelan and Stephanie Thompson led to Whelan being tripped up deep into the Cambridge half. Thompson sent the free kick over the defence and into the path of Aileen Whelan who fired past Pamplin for Diamonds' fifth.

Another injury, this time to Fay Howell led to the referee adding on nearly nine minutes of added time and as the light faded, both sides were glad to hear the final whistle.

Full time: Cambridge City 0 - 5 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

Diamonds could feel pleased with the overall performance and not just the score-line. After one goal in the last three games, the accuracy of the passing and shooting was vastly improved and the confidence in front of goal had returned. Next week, Diamonds are at home to bottom of the table AFC Wimbledon at the Dog & Duck, Wellingborough Town FC (2pm kick off).

Teams:

Cambridge City Ladies: Liz Pamplin, Hannah Goodchild, Nicola Geogham, Jody Lapish, Clare Byrne, Jordan Holland, Frida Rotrold, Shona Kelly (Martha Woll 75), Sophia Piotrowska, Britta Osterstedt (Ali Wright 59), Tash Collins.

Subs not used: Nil.

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Charlene Ward, Leanna Doyle, Kelly Robinson, Rosie Thurston, Kirsty Cooper, Fay Howell, Stephanie Thompson, Charly Wright, Caroline Moran, Aileen Whelan, Laura Dunn (Mikaela Welford HT).

Subs not used: Nil.

Goals: Thurston 5 (0-1), Moran 21 (0-2), Thurston 30 (0-3), Thurston 52 (0-4), Whelan 86 (0-5).

Referee: George Sprague.

By Dave Mason

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Other results (SE Combination):

Gillingham 1 Lewes 3

Forthcoming fixtures:

25th November AFC Wimbledon (Home)

2nd December Lewes (Away)

9th December Bedford Town Bells (Home)

Reserve Team fixture

Midland Combination Reserves

Northampton Town 4 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds