The Youth Team made the short journey to Moulton College for their opening game of 2009 against Northampton Town and came away with a 3 - 1 victory to maintain their place at the top of the Puma Junior Alliance Southern Section.

The home side had much the better of the first period - moving the ball more effectively with strikers, Shawn Richards and Wes Emery, causing Rushden continued problems throughout the half.

James Freshwater controls the ball

Rushden's best chance of the half was created by Lewis Hilliard whose run and rasping shot from 30 yards caused Paul Walker in the Cobblers goal some problems in flight but the keeper adjusted well to save.

The home side took a deserved lead in the last minute of the half when Richards was pulled to the ground by Jack Higgins for a penalty which the striker duly converted despite the efforts of Michael Emery who almost kept the shot out.

Shariff controls the ball

Half Time: Northampton Town 1 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds

The second half saw a much more determined effort from Rushden and an equaliser came in the 56^th minute when Nabil Shariff bundled the ball home from close range.

Nabil bundles the ball in.......

.......and of course celebrates!.......

......Soon to be joined by his team mates!

The complexion of the game then changed at around the half way mark with two sending offs for the home side reducing them to 9 men with over 20 minutes still to play.

Northampton see red

Rushden took advantage of this to take the lead when Shariff broke clear of the defence to slot the ball past the oncoming Walker.

Shariff goes through again.......

....and celebrates again!!!

The lead was extended when a Freshwater cross was deflected into his own net by a home defender to seal the contest.

Hilliard makes a pass

Adam Sharpe gets power behind his header

In the last quarter of the game, Connor Hayes replaced Adam Sharpe and Under 16's player, Morgan Phillips took over from Aynsley McDonald at left back as tactical changes were made to the side.

Full Time: Northampton Town 1 - 3 Rushden & Diamonds

Captain Jack Higgins plays the ball

Afterwards, Paul Driver commented "The two sending offs effectively changed the game in our favour. Before then, I thought they thoroughly deserved their lead from their first half performance but we had battled back well after the break to get the equaliser.

It's not always easy to play against 9 and 10 men but we did the right things in possession and got the win in the end.

As I say, while we didn't perform particularly well - especially in the first half - it was our first game for a month and it was a win in a local derby which is always nice"

Rushden Team: Emery, Evans, McDonald (M Phillips 85), Cox, Calcutt, Higgins (Captain), Hallford, Freshwater, Shariff, Hilliard, Sharpe (Hayes 72).

Sub Not Used, Wigglesworth