Rushden finished off their FA Youth Cup sponsored by e.on campaign off in style with a 7-0 victory against Northampton Spencer.
The first half started off evenly matched, with Easlea missing a chance in the 11th minute, and Aynsley McDonald heading a Spencer chance off the line in the 15th.
A Sean Calcutt goal on the 18th minute put the Diamonds 1-0 up, however the first half was played out in largely in midfield, with Diamonds establishing plenty of possession towards the end, and Spencer looking dangerous on the counter attack. Both sides has chances, however good work from both goalkeepers, and some wayward shooting meant it looked like one goal would divide the teams at half time.
In the dieing moments of the half, James Freshwater cut in from the right wing, with a surge of pace sending him into the box, only to be tripped by the defender. Lewis Hilliard stepped up to the penalty spot, and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left to make it 2-0
Half Time: R&DFC Youth 2 - 0 Northampton Spencer Youth
The Diamonds came out in the second half looking revitalised, forcing a number of fine saves from the Northampton Spencer goalkeeper. Shariff moved to a more right wing based forward role, getting down the right channel successfully, with one moment of brilliant skill when penned into the corner, he did a 'keepie uppie', flicking the ball over his head towards the oncoming Diamonds striker, resulting in a corner.
Spencer had their chances too, with Hilliard receiving a booking for an edge of the box tackle, and the resulting free kick being saved by Emery.
The third goal looked likely when Feshwater hit the post, again good work from Nabil Shariff down the right wing, shaping to cross but instead cutting it back to Freshwater, who saw his curling shot clatter off the post.
On 72 minutes, that third goal finally did come, Shariff on the right wing poked a through ball to Hilliard on the corner of the box, who sliding, just manged to squeeze it through for Adam Sharpe, who given his rich scoring form at the moment, made no mistake powering home the third. With the game made safe, Under 16s goalkeeper James Broadbent came off the bench to be given a run out in goal and some good experience under his belt.
Sharpe made it 4 around the 78th minute, converting a cross pulled back from the by-line.
A scramble in the box nearly made it five, with great saves from the Northampton Spencer goalkeeper and defence. A break down the right on the 86th minute finally did provide that fifth goal, and a hat-trick for Sharpe as he headed in a cross for his third of the game.
Hallford replaced Easlea and Wigglesworth came on to replace hat-trick scorer Sharpe, and wasted no time getting himself on the scoresheet, Shariff crossing the ball in for Wigglesworth to convert. In injury time there was a seventh with Evans playing Shariff into space down the channel, and Wigglesworth rising to his cross to head in making it a magnificent seven for the youth team.
Full Time: R&DFC Youth 7 - 0 Northampton Spencer Youth
Rushden & Diamonds Squad
1 Michael Emery (20 James Broadbent), 2 Matthew Evans, 3 Aynsley McDonald, 4 George Cox, 5 Sean Calcutt, 6 Jack Higgins (Captain), 7 James Freshwater, 8 Lewis Hilliard, 9 Nabil Shariff, 10 Adam Sharpe (15 John Wigglesworth), 11 Daniel Easlea (12 Lewis Hallford)
Substitutes not used: 14 Alex Phillips, 17 Chris Kirby
n.b. Timings approx
Head of Youth Paul Driver said "I'm very pleased with the performance, particularly in the second half when we got it on the floor, got the ball out wide and got crosses in the box- like we've been doing in training all week."
Lots of credit should go to Northampton Spencer, particularly in the first half, a lot of teams are happy to come here in the cups and stick 10 men behind the ball, but Spencer played their normal game and played good football, in some ways that's worked to their downfall with regards to the scoreline as the game has been more open, and that little bit of extra fitness at the end has paid dividends.
We were very lucky to come in at half time 2-0 up, and I think the 7-0 scoreline flatters us a little bit, although arguably (and I'm sure if you ask any of the players they will say) it's the way we've played the ball around, running them ragged that's earned us the right to score seven goals.
At the start of the season we had established that a top half finish in the league and reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup were the minimum targets for this season - now we know mostly what we're up against with regards to other academy sides in the coming rounds and we'll take things from there. Overall I'm very pleased tonight though."
Rushden & Diamonds Youth team will now face Northampton Town (who they beat 3-0 earlier in the league) at Nene Park in the First Round Proper of the competition - a date is yet to be decided for this game, but it is likely to be one of the first two weeks in November.
Saturday morning (25th October) sees another local derby on pitch 2 for the Youths as they return to league action to face Peterborough United in the Puma Youth Alliance.
