Sunday 13th January 2008 at the Eyrie, Bedford Town FC

Bedford Town Bells 1 - 2 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

(after extra time)

(South East Combination - League Cup Round 1)

Yet again, Rushden & Diamonds Ladies created a hatful of chances, but had to wait for an extra time winner from Aileen Whelan to progress to the next round of the League Cup beating local rivals Bedford Town Bells.

Both sides had to contend with a heavy pitch after the rain of the previous few days, while the windy conditions were an extra hazard. Diamonds began in dominant fashion and came close twice inside the opening ten minutes with both Jade Linnell and Aileen Whelan not quite able to finish. At the other end, keeper Charlene Ward made a double save to deny the home sides opening attack.

On 18 minutes, Whelan shot over after some good interchange from Diamonds, while Mikaela Welford's effort moments later after another neat move was saved. They continued to create chances with Vicky Gallagher's half volley on 27 minutes going narrowly wide. Charly Wright had a shot saved as the visitors continued to pile on the pressure. Gallagher fired another volley against the post.

It seemed unlikely that one of Diamonds chances would not find the back of the net and on 40 minutes, they finally got the breakthrough. Charly Wright ran down the left flank and after her initial cross was blocked, sent the ball back into the centre where a Bedford defender headed the ball past her own keeper to give Diamonds the lead. Just before the break, Whelan's long range effort was saved by the impressive Bells keeper.

Half time: Bedford Town Bells 0 - 1 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

The second half started in a similar style to the first, and Whelan came close again after just failing to connect with Wright's pass. As the half progressed, Bedford started to gain in confidence pushing forward, but they were nearly caught out on 52 minutes when Gallagher went close after an attack from the home side broke down.

The tie started to become more even, with Bedford making use of the long ball to counter attack, although it was Diamonds who were still creating the chances. A clever ball from Jade Linnell allowed Wright to send the ball across the goalmouth, while Ashley Palmer, who had replaced Welford, fired over after Gallagher's shot was blocked.

Bedford then had their best spell of the game as they struck the bar with a header, and then forced a good save from Charlene Ward. Diamonds were still trying to make the game safe and another wayward header by the Bedford defence almost doubled their advantage. With 15 minutes remaining Gallagher and Palmer came close, but a second goal continued to elude the Diamonds attack. They paid a heavy penalty on 84 minutes when a long ball out of defence was neatly lofted into the net by Bedford's top scorer Ali Hayes to bring the scores level and send the game into extra time.

Full time: Bedford Town Bells 1 - 1 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

Diamonds disbelief at not finishing the tie off within the ninety minutes saw them regain the initiative as extra time got underway, and both Whelan and Gallagher came close again to breaking the deadlock. A fine run by Whelan ended in another save by the Bedford keeper, while Charly Wright found the back of the net from Whelan's cross only to be flagged offside.

Hayes squandered a chance for Bells as the ball was played over Diamonds back line again, but it was Diamonds who got the all important goal on 104 minutes when Aileen Whelan made a surging run to take her clear and shoot past the Bedford keeper.

With both sides looking tired during the final fifteen minutes, Diamonds continued to miss chances. Wright's corner was cleared off the line, while Anna McLeod, Jade Linnell and Ashley Palmer were all off target. Whelan's extra time goal was enough to take Diamonds through to the next round where they face another away tie at AFC Wimbledon on 3rd February.

After Extra Time: Bedford Town Bells 1 - 2 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

Diamonds are in cup action again this coming Sunday (20th February), when they face Raunds Town at Kiln Park in Northants FA Women's Cup (kick-off 1.30pm).

Team:

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Charlene Ward, Amy O'Brien (Molly Marsh 75), Leanna Doyle, Kirsty Cooper, Fay Howell, Jade Linnell, Aileen Whelan, Caroline Moran (Anna McLeod 105), Mikaela Welford (Ashley Palmer 60), Vicky Gallagher, Charly Wright.

Subs not used:

Goals: og 40 (0-1), Ali Hayes 84 (1-1), Aileen Whelan 104 (1-2).

By Ron Wright

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Other results (SE Combination):

Ipswich Town 3 Cambridge City 1

AFC Wimbledon 1 Whitehawk 2

Reserve Team fixture:

Midland Combination Reserves

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 0 - 4 WBA

Other results (Midland Combination Reserves):

Leicester City Women 6 Derby County 0