The Youth Team progressed to the Semi Final of the Northants Youth Cup on Thursday evening despite a below par performance in the 2 - 1 victory over Peterborough PSV Youth at a windy Nene Park.

After an even start, Rushden had good pressure and possession as the half unfolded and took the lead in the 31^st minute when Sam Smith finished from close range.

This advantage seemed to relax the Rushden side and they began keeping possession better for a period of time - looking at their most dangerous when they attacked down the flanks, particularly through Lewis Hallford.

But a further goal was not added and they were made to pay deep into injury time in the first half when the PSV striker found himself one on one against Jack Higgins, beating the Rushden defender to the ball and slotting past Joe Day from 18 yards.

Rushden continued to have chances in the second half with Lewis Hilliard rattling the cross bar and Hallford supplying three excellent crosses to trouble the PSV defence.

The lead was restored in the 70^th minute from an attack that initially saw Hilliard fouled on the edge of the box when apparently through.Ben Nunn's free kick was tipped over by the PSV keeper and the resulting corner was not cleared and led to another free kick from 25 yards.This time, Nunn left the keeper rooted to the spot from the kick to restore the lead for the home side.

Rushden pushed to extend the lead but to not avail and had a couple of scary moments in the last quarter of an hour but held on to take the tie and progress to the semi final stages.

Youth Team Coach, Paul Driver's assessment of the match gave credit to the opponents."Fair play to PSV, they came here and made it extremely difficult for us to get a rhythm going when we had the ball and caused us problems when they attacked - their lad up front was a handful for our two centre backs all night and fully deserved his goal for his efforts".

"It certainly was not one of our better efforts and we've made that clear to the players but it's a win in a cup game against a side that is very much used to winning games and we've got ourselves a place in a semi final to look forward to".

Rushden Team: Day (Captain), Nunn, McDonald, Beecroft, Calcutt, Higgins, Hallford, Tidswell, Smith, Hilliard (Wigglesworth 79), Easlea (Freshwater 69).Subs Not Used: Cox, Hayes, Phillips.