Sunday 6th April 2008 at the Dog & Duck, Wellingborough Town FC

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

(South East Combination League Cup Semi-Final)

If ever there was a game of two halves, then this was it, Diamonds dominated the first half with goals from Aileen Whelan and Mikaela Welford. At the beginning of the second half, Enfield pulled one back through leading scorer Kelly Townshend, but despite being awarded a penalty and having several chances to pull level, they were unable to get the the goal which would have taken the tie to extra time as Diamonds held out for a place in the Final

Diamonds went on the attack from the kick-off with the visitors unable to clear the ball out of their half. In the opening ten minutes, Diamonds had a couple of chances with Jade Linnell's through ball to Charly Wright being smothered by reserve keeper Jo Ayre, while Aileen Whelan went just wide from Linnell's corner.

Diamonds kept up the pressure with Enfield strikers Robyn Downie and Kelly Townshend looking increasingly isolated up front. Ayre did well to pounce on a loose ball during a goalmouth scramble after a Fay Howell's corner, then saved from Wright after the ball was knocked back from the far post by Mikaela Welford from another corner. Both Aileen Whelan and Ashley Palmer had shots on goal, but they were aimed directly at the keeper and were easily saved.

The breakthrough finally came on 32 minutes, when Anna McLeod's ball inside to Aileen Whelan gave her space to fire a 25 yard shot leaving the keeper no chance. Just three minutes later, Diamonds went two up and it was McLeod again who was involved in the build up. From a central position, she picked out Mikaela Welford's run into the left side of the penalty area and Diamonds leading scorer lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net. Enfield tried to respond in the closing moments of the first half but keeper Charlene Ward had a quiet 45 minutes.

Half time: Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 2 - 0 Enfield Town Ladies

Enfield made a change at half time with Claire Gooch replacing Katie Wicka, but a change in formation to 3-5-2 brought about a dramatic change as they took the game to Diamonds. The home side made the decision to keep a thee-man midfield, but that allowed the visitors to pile on the pressure. Robyn Downie shot wide in the opening couple of minutes, before  Enfield got a goal back on 48 minutes. Charlene Ward's goal kick was pumped straight back from the half way line up to Kelly Townshend, who lifted the ball high over the Diamonds keeper and into the goal.

Derrie O'Halloran was looking lively for Enfield as they continued to pile on the pressure. Downie got the ball in a good position, but slipped at the vital moment allowing Ward to retrieve the ball, while O'Halloran's shot on goal was well blocked by Leanna Doyle. On 57 minutes, Doyle was guilty of bringing down Downie on the edge of the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Diamonds had a lucky escape as Beth Demery fired the spot kick just over the bar.

Diamonds altered their formation and appeared to have weathered the storm. On 70 minutes, player manager Vicky Gallagher came on to replace Mikaela Welford as Enfield's frustration boiling over - O'Halloran being booked for dissent. Diamonds were coping a lot better and were starting to create chances themselves with breaks out of defence as the visitors pushed further forward. Aileen Whelan had a great chance to put the tie beyond reach on 83 minutes after Gallagher broke down the right, Her cross to Whelan left her one on one with the keeper but as Ayre came out, she shot inches wide of the upright.

In the closing moments, Robyn Downie headed over from an Emma Kayser, but Diamonds were safely through to the Final.

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

So Diamonds last two games of the season are both Cup Finals. They will play either Lewes or Ipswich Town in the League Cup Final on 27th April at Bedford Town's New Eyrie Ground, their semi-final falling foul of the weather yet again. Next Sunday (13th April), Diamonds have the chance to retain the Northant's County Women's Cup against Northampton Town Ladies at the Rockingham Triangle, Corby Town FC - 2pm kick off.

Teams:

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Charlene Ward, Amy O'Brien, Fay Howell, Kirsty Cooper, Leanna Doyle, Ashley Palmer, Jade Linnell, Charly Wright, Anna McLeod, Aileen Whelan, Mikaela Welford (Vicky Gallagher 70).

Subs not used: Bethan Lelliott.

Enfield Town Ladies: Jo Ayre, Beth Demery, Katie Wicka (Claire Gooch HT), Kerrie Marlborough, Emma Kayser, Robyn Downie, Kelly Townshend, Jenna Schillaci (Laura Burns 70), Beth Lovell, Leanne Mabey, Derrie O'Halloran (Tara Hutcherson 79).

Subs not used: Sarah Kessack. 

Goals: Aileen Whelan 32 (1-0), Mikaela Welford 35 (2-0), Kelly Townshend 48 (2-1).

Referee: Mr S.Cavanagh.

Booked: Derrie O'Halloran 70 (dissent), Kelly Townshend 85 (dissent).

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Other results (SE Combination):

Bedford Town Bells 8 AFC Wimbledon 0

SE Combination League Cup semi-final:

Lewes v Ipswich Town postponed

Reserve Team fixture:

Midland Combination Reserves:

Coventry City Ladies v Rushden & Diamonds Ladies postponed

By Dave Mason