Rushden & Diamonds Ladies 3-1 Bedford Town Belles

In the 2^nd of two Home Derby's, Rushden faced fellow league strugglers Bedford Town Bells and came out on top with a convincing display of attacking football and three well-deserved goals.

A number of changes to the starting line up once again due to injury and absences saw defender Kirsty Cooper, replaced by Lynsey Green slotting in alongside in form duo Rosie Thurston and Player/Manager Sue Meekcom.Midfielder Kathryn Lusk started in central midfield despite having a heavily strapped wrist after landing heavily on it in the previous game, Youngster Lauren Impey also passed a late fitness test (back strain) to take her place alongside Lusk and Janine Holland.On loan Striker Vicky Gallagher, looks set to miss the rest of Diamonds League Campaign after a visit to the Physio ruled her out for a number of weeks and with Assistant Manager Julie Holt recovering from a knee operation, Gallagher steps into the assistants role on the bench.

Diamonds started the game well against the ten 'men' of Bedford who looked stretched from the start despite the obvious experience within their starting line up.It took just minutes for the first Diamonds chance to arrive and despite the overwhelming Diamonds pressure, the scores remained level.Bells 11^th player arrived just in time to see Lusk pop up and score the opener, great work on the left from Wright saw a lofted ball driven into the area and Lusk leap above everyone to score a rare headed goal.

At 1-0 Diamonds were in complete control and had a number of other chances including a good shout for a penalty by impressive striker Lisa Porter.A long ball through from midfield called the keeper off of her line and saw Porter favourite to reach the bouncing ball, the keeper's challenge saw her miss the ball and clatter the oncoming Porter to the ground, her only reward a corner.

Frustrated by the lack of a penalty Porter again came close to increasing the lead before another Beckham style free kick gave Diamonds a 2-goal cushion.From a very promising position on the left hand side of the 18 yard area Porter curled the ball around the 4 man wall and into the top corner.The struggling keeper got fingertips on the ball only for it to brush the underside of the bar and bounce over the line.

Bells sparked hopes of a visitor come back just minutes before half time with a well worked goal from midfield.Their playmaker picked up the ball on the counter attack and made a bee line for the Diamonds penalty area, an untracked runner worked her way into the box and wrong footed the defence to poke a shot into the bottom corner, following a neat cross inside the 6 yard area.

The second half once again saw Diamonds dominate and Porter ensure all three points were going to the home side.An awkward challenge on Porter saw her awarded a dubious penalty as the referee decided that she was unfairly stripped of the ball, deep in the area.Her following penalty hit with both precision and power into the corner stanchion took the score to 3-1.

After the game Player/Manager Sue Meekcom said "Three points was so important to us today, not just because it's a local derby but because we need to increase the gap between us and the bottom three sides."

Vicky Gallagher added "It's hard sitting on the bench and watching a game such as this there is just so much at stake but we out played them at times and battled hard when we had to, we definitely deserve the win today!"