Monday 22nd October 2007 at the Nene Park

(FA Youth Cup / 3rd Qualifying Round)

With no youth team game at the weekend, Diamonds were eager to continue their winning run after three successive victories. They had progressed to this stage of the competition with a win over Rothwell Town (3-0) and a penalty shoot-out victory against Kettering Town (2-2) in the last round. Stotfold's route had seen them win home games against Leighton Town (1-0) and Huntingdon (6-0).

The youth teams last game was against Hereford United nine days ago, and Aynsley McDonald replaced Ben Nunn in defence, while Anthony Weston dropped to the bench with Lee Watts starting at No.11.

Stotfold started strongly from the kick off and looked useful coming forward. After Sean Calcutt had fouled Joshua Butina 10 yards outside the area, Joshua Bickerstaff's free kick was deflected over the bar for a corner to the visitors. At the other end Diamonds looked dangerous from set pieces as Stotfold conceded several fouls. John Wigglesworth and Jack Higgins both had efforts blocked inside 12 minutes as Diamonds countered the early pressure, and it was the home side who went ahead on 14 minutes. Myles Lee conceded another foul, and Jake Beecroft's kick into the area found John Wigglesworth who made no mistake from six yards.

Within a minute, Diamonds were two up. As Stotfold came forward from the restart, a quick break out of defence allowed Sam Smith to run at goal, and his shot from just inside the area, went under keeper Jack Farmer and into the net. Stotfold tried to respond again, but Diamonds defence looked confident, although Joe Day saved well on 24 minutes from former Academy striker Stuart Pink.

The lively Joshua Butina shot across goal on the half hour, with no-one able to get a final touch and Ashley Fitton fired over from close range, but Diamonds looked stronger and went further ahead on 35 minutes and it came from yet another free-kick after Tommy Hull had fouled Sam Smith. Beecroft sent Lewis Hilliard away on the left and James Freshwater headed home his perfect cross to the far post.

The referee's patience ended when Stuart Clarke received a yellow card for another foul, but a goal for Stotfold on 41 minutes gave the away side some hope. As Diamonds tried to clear the ball away from the area, the ball rebounded to Joshua Butina, who fired past Day from 15 yards.

As the half drew to a close, Jack Higgins saw his header strike the post and the ball bounce back into the keeper's arms, while Beecroft's curling shot just drifted past the post.

Half time: Rushden & Diamonds U18s 3 - 1 Stotfold U18s

Stotfold tried to get back into the game after the break, but had little success in breaching the home sides back line. Joshua Butina and Stuart Pink did combine well early on but Jack Higgins did well to cover the danger. As Diamonds tried to increase their lead, Beecroft shot across goal, Wigglesworth had a shot deflected over the bar, while Beecroft's free-kick was fortunately deflected over by a defender. Lewis Hilliard came into the game more, and his shot from long range went high.

As Diamonds took their foot off the peddle, Stotfold enjoyed more possession but the home defence stood firm and looked in little danger. Stuart Clarke was clear at the far post on 64 minutes, but shot over as Joe Day tried to narrow the angle but that was a rare chance for the visitors. Diamonds got a fourth goal on 74 minutes when Anthony Weston (who had replaced John Wigglesworth) surprised the keeper after lobbing a high ball in from the right flank, the ball dropping over the keeper and into the net.

Adam Sharp came on for Jack Higgins shortly after the goal and Diamonds fitness showed in the final minutes as they let the clock run down. Nabil Shariff replaced Lee Watts in injury time, but Stotfold had a final great chance to get a second moments from the end, but Joe Day pulled off a magnificent one handed save from Dami Fajobi.

Full time: Rushden & Diamonds U18s 4 - 1 Stotfold U18s

So the Youth team progress to the 1st Round proper, where they will play the winners of Wednesday evenings Grays Athletic v Leverstock Green tie. The Youth team are in action again on Saturday morning when they take on Peterborough United in their final group match in the Puma Youth Alliance Cup (kick-off 11am).