A quality performance from the Youth team saw them through the First Round Qualifying of the FA Youth Cup.
The game had a timid opening, little sign of the goal-fest which was to follow and it was not until Daniel Easlea opened the scoring on 20 minutes that the game kicked into life. Easlea, finding himself unmarked in the box headed in a Matt Evans cross to make it 1-0. Minutes later Nabil Shariff made it 2 with a poachers goal after a scramble in the box as the keeper spilled it.
To their credit Leighton came back at the Diamonds, with Poulton scoring a 30 yard lob to make it 2-1. In the 38th minute Adam Sharpe rose for a corner, heading the Diamonds third goal. George Cox converting late in the half to make it 4-1.
Rushden Head of Youth Paul Driver said: The first half was better, all than when we played against Raunds, who are at a similar level and ability. We were better because we kept the ball better today; we moved the ball around a lot. We got two decent goals and then they got one back in. The lad Poulton used to be with our Centre of Excellence many moons ago. It was a great strike from him, I'm not sure it should have gone in but that's kicked us into life a little bit, two goals before half time and we're fairly comfortable.
Half Time: R&DFC Youth 4 - 1 Leighton Town Youth
Rushden, Adam Sharpe in particular started the second half very strongly. On the 50th minute Sharpe latched onto an incisive through ball and slotted away coolly to make the game 5-1, a simple goal again from Sharpe for his hat-trick came on the 60th.
With Leighton pressure paying off in the 62nd minute their number 10 lobbed the keeper to make it 6-2. Sharpe got his 4th, and Diamonds 7th on 65 minutes however putting any comeback well beyond the visitors reach.
With the game won, Rushden's substitutes got a look in, with John Wigglesworth sending home a well worked manoeuvre in the 84th minute. There was still time for one more, as a cross was cleared from defence, but only as far as Alex Philips. Who was lurking just outside the box, who fired home to complete the victory.
On the second half, Paul Driver said: We just did the right thing in the second half, kept moving the ball and the goals came from it. I'm pleased for Sharpey - he's not had many starts this year but he's knuckled down and worked hard on and off the pitch, he's got his rewards today with 4 goals. When we got the ball wide, used our wingers and crossed itin we were a way better side, we also varied it up well today, it wasn't all side to side, we mixed it up with a few long balls from Matt Evans at right back, who I thought was outstanding today. He has set up a couple of goals, his distribution has been god, he's not been predictable and he's done well. The boys that have come on in the end have bagged one each, to keep the momentum going and in the end it was 9-2, you can only beat what's there. Leighton were fairly game, they gave it a go and attacked, at least they came out and played good football against us, rather than putting a wall of 10 behind the ball, all in all I'm quite happy and just waiting to see if we get Sileby Rangers or Thrapston Town in the next round - that will be harder because its away, and we've not got the home advantage - so we'll wait and see.
Full Time: R&DFC Youth 9 - 2 Leighton Town Youth
Rushden Team: Michael Emery, Matthew Evans, Aynsley McDonald, George Cox (1), Connor Hayes, Jack Higgins (Captain), Lewis Hallford, Lewis Hilliard, Nabil Shariff(1), Adam Sharpe(4), Daniel Easlea(1)
Substitutes: Sean Calcutt, James Freshwater, Chris Kirby, Alex Phillips(1), John Wigglesworth(1)
