Tuesday 11th December 2007 at Nene Park

Rushden & Diamonds U18s 1 - 3 Colchester United U18s

(FA Youth Cup / 3rd Round)

The Youth team lost out on a 4th Round tie against Premiership opposition after being well beaten by a strong Colchester United. Lewis Hilliard's equaliser early in the second half cancelled out an early strike by Colchester's leading scorer Josh Oakley, but two goals from Russell Malton in the final half hour put United through to the next round.

With striker John Wigglesworth serving a suspension, Nabil Sharif partnered Sam Smith in attack. Several members of the Diamonds squad had been suffering from a bout of flu during the previous week and a strong finish from the visitors seemed to leave the Diamonds youngsters struggling to keep pace.

Colchester started well and nearly took the lead after 7 minutes when keeper Joe Day raced out of his area to clear a long through ball. His header fell to the feet of Josh Oakley, but the midfielders lob back towards the empty goal went wide. Diamonds had difficulty coping with the pace and directness of the Colchester front line as they were put under increasing pressure, and that pressure paid off on 14 minutes when the visitors went in front. The pacey Jeremiah Olusanya caused problems for Aynsley McDonald on the right and his deflected cross found Josh Oakley to fire home from 20 yards.

Diamonds were unable to replicate their form at Aldershot in the previous round and Colchester could have gone further in front before the break. Joe Day was fortunate when his kick struck Russell Malton and he managed to gather the loose ball.

Jack Higgins' header went straight at the keeper, while Anthony Weston nearly got clear at the far post, but defender Sam Corcoran just got a touch on the ball to foil any shot on goal. Colchester probably should have increased their lead before the break when Corcoran's shot on 40 minutes struck the outside of the post, while moments later Day did well to save from Fabian Quintyn. The U's No.9 fired in the rebound, but Aynsley McDonald made a spectacular clearance of his goal-bound shot.     

Half time: Rushden & Diamonds U18s 0 - 1 Colchester United U18s

George Cox came on for Aynsley McDonald at the break, while the half-time team talk appeared to inspire Diamonds as they pressed forward immediately from the restart. Lewis Hilliard shot just over the bar, before Sam Smith had a shot well saved by keeper Jack Smelt. Hilliard should have done better with a header from a Ben Nunn corner as they enjoyed their best spell of the game. On 54 minutes, Diamonds finally got level after a strong run up the left flank by Anthony Weston. His cross found Lewis Hilliard in the centre, and his shot went just inside the post.

Diamonds were looking the more dangerous of the two sides as Sam Smith headed straight at the keeper, but against the run of play, Colchester went in front again on 62 minutes. Olusanyo's cross from the right found Russell Malton unmarked in the area, and his header beat the outstretched Joe Day.

The goal seemed to deflate the home side as Colchester took control again and never looked in danger of losing from that point. Injury to Ben Nunn added to their problems and led to the introduction of Alex Phillips midway through the second half. Day did well to save low down from Malton, but on 76 minutes, Russell Malton was on hand to turn and fire home a Medy Elito cross from the right to make the game safe. Centre half Jack Higgins went up front in a bid to salvage the game, but Colchester played out the final fifteen minutes to earn themselves the home tie against Aston Villa or Crewe Alexandra.

Full time: Rushden & Diamonds U18s 1 - 3 Colchester United U18s

Teams:

Rushden & Diamond U18s: Joe Day, Ben Nunn (Alex Phillips 71), Aynsley McDonald (George Cox HT), Jake Beecroft(c), Sean Calcutt, Jack Higgins, James Freshwater, Sam Smith, Nabil Sharif (Lewis Hallford 84), Lewis Hilliard, Anthony Weston.

Subs not used: Dominic Knighton(GK), Adam Sharp.

Colchester United  U18s: Jack Smelt, Kyelan Marvell, Alex O'Leary, Sam Corcoran, James Hammond(c), Ryan Amass, Jeremiah Olusanya (Jamie Wright 89), Josh Oakley, Fabian Quintyn (Perry Sansford 81), Russell Malton, Medy Elito.

Subs not used: Decklun Barker(GK), Louis O'Sullivan, Adam Bailey-Dennis.

Referee: Mr C.Francis (Suffolk).

Goals: Josh Oakley 14 (0-1), Lewis Hilliard 54 (1-1); Russell Malton 62 (1-2), Russell Malton 76 (1-3).

Attendance: 175