The Youth Team entertained Luton Town on Saturday and came away with a comfortable 3 - 0 win to climb to fourth place in the early standings of the Puma Junior Alliance Southern Section.Goals from James Freshwater, Nabil Sharif and Lewis Hallford were enough to see off their local rivals before the break in the league programme until mid October while group stages of the cup competition are staged.
Early pressure saw Hallford's 4th minute free kick headed onto his own cross bar by a Luton defender and the rebound fell to Freshwater on the edge of the box and his slightly deflected shot eluded the visiting Keeper to give Rushden an early lead.
There was a great chance to increase the scoring in the 6th minute from a Hallford corner which Dan Easlea headed back across goal.Sharif attempted to stab the ball home from close range only to be denied by a defender on the line who cleared the ball to safety.
Early pressure from Nabil Shariff
In the 35th minute, Easlea thought he had opened his account for the season with a side foot volley from a Connor Hayes cross but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Half Time Rushden & Diamonds 1 Luton Town 0
Rushden increased their lead within 15 seconds of the restart when Freshwater's run into the box was found by Aynsley McDonald. He then squared the ball for Shariff to finish from 6 yards.
Hilliard skips over a tackle
The lead was further increased five minutes later from a quick break with Joe Day's throw out finding Hilliard just inside the Luton half. He then exchanged passes with Sharif before finding Hallford on the edge of the box.The Winger then cut back inside and chipped the ball over the keeper and into the net.
Lewis and the team celebrate
Chris Kirby, Alex Phillips and John Wigglesworth replaced McDonald, Freshwater and Sharif respectively as the game entered the final quarter in wet and blustery conditions.
The home side closed out the game for a second successive victory and clean sheet.
Hallford on a run
Full Time Rushden & Diamonds 3 Luton Town 0
Afterwards, Manager Paul Driver commented "It's good to go into the various cup games we have coming up with two good wins and a respectable league position.The lads have bounced back well from the loss at Wycombe in the first game where the score line certainly didn't reflect the performance on the day.
We now have a different challenge ahead as we turn our attentions to the FA Youth Cup against Raunds on Wednesday 10th September (Kick off 7:30pm) - this match has to be approached with the same attitude and application if we are to get anywhere near equalling last season's run to the Third Round Proper".
Rushden Team: Day (Captain), Evans, McDonald (Kirby 67), Cox, Hayes, Higgins, Hallford, Freshwater (Phillips 76), Shariff (Wigglesworth 78), Hilliard, Easlea.
Subs Not Used: Emery (GK), Sharpe.
Photos by Mark Brown - www.snapimages.co.uk
