The Youth Team completed a third straight win at home to Brentford on Saturday and, with QPR's home game against Luton Town called off, moved to the top of the Puma Junior Alliance Southern Section as the league finished before a brief Christmas Break.

Paul Driver started the game with the strike partnership of Nabil Shariff and Lewis Hilliard that had worked well in the second half against Luton the previous week. Other changes from the Luton game saw Joe Day return in goal and James Freshwater came in for George Cox who had travelled to Newport as part of the First Team Squad for the FA Trophy match.

The first half hour was a fairly even affair played in blustery conditions on Pitch 3 but it was Rushden that took the lead in the 31st minute when Lewis Hallford drilled in a low cross which was controlled well and despatched into the corner of the net by Hilliard.

The lead was then extended five minutes later when a Connor Hayes strike from just outside the box nestled in the same corner of the Brentford net.

This setback seemed to spark the visitors into action for the remainder of the first half and, from one of their attacks, the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Aynsley McDonald. However, a fine stop to his left by Joe Day meant the two goal lead remained in tact at the half time interval.

Half Time: Rushden & Diamonds 2 - 0 Brentford

As with the start of the first period, the game was fairly even with both sides doing their best to play football in blustery conditions.

Rushden had two excellent chances to extend the lead - firstly when Hallford cut into the box and squared the ball to the oncoming Freshwater but his shot was well saved by the Brentford Keeper. Then good footwork by Shariff in a tight area in the box set the striker up for a turn and shot which rattled back off of the bar and to safety.

With eight minutes remaining, a tense finish was set up when Brentford pulled a goal back but Rushden held out to record a hard fought victory.

Full Time: Rushden & Diamonds 2 - 1 Brentford

Rushden Team: Day, Evans, Kirby (Calcutt 89), Hayes, McDonald, Higgins, Hallford, Freshwater, Shariff (Phillips 81), Hilliard, Sharpe.
Subs Not Used: Wigglesworth, Emery (GK).

The youth team were also in action today (Wednesday), winning 7-1 in the Midland Youth Cup against Lincoln - match report and photos to follow.