The Youth Team returned from the long trip to Gillingham on Saturday disappointed to have only earned a point having taken a two goal lead at half time but, upon reflection, the final score line was a fair result from a hard fought game against a decent Gills' outfit.
With four second year scholars out on work experience, Joe Day with the First Team Squad at Weymouth and John Wigglesworth injured, the start line up contained all nine first year scholars plus Sean Calcutt and Michael Emery. Under 16s Callum Earls, Jake Gillingwater and Sam Heavey made up the bench to complete a very youthful match day squad.
The first half hour was a fairly even affair with few chances until the 29th minute when Lewis Hallford hit a shot from 25 yards that was well saved by Quinn in the Gillingham goal.From the resulting corner, Adam Sharpe nodded the ball down to Nabil Shariff who controlled the ball well and finished from eight yards to give Rushden the lead.
That lead was doubled in the 43rd minute when a quick break saw Sharpe run clear of the opposition defence to finish from the edge of the box.
Half Time: Gillingham 0 Rushden & Diamonds 2
The early stages of the second half, like the first, were even until the 68th minute when substitute Sargeant finished well from the edge of the box to half the lead.
Gillingwater and Earls replaced Chris Kirby and Dan Easlea respectively in the 70th minute as the Under 16s were given the chance to show coach, Paul Driver, what they do at the next level up. Sam Heavey then replaced Sharpe on 74 minutes to partner Shariff in attack.
Gillingham finished the game the stronger as they pushed hard for the equaliser and this came when the referee adjudged that Sean Calcutt had pushed Gills striker Murphy in the box in the 89th minute. The same player levelled the scores after keeping his cool when asked to re-take the penalty.
Full Time: Gillingham 2 Rushden & Diamonds 2
Despite Gillingham's comeback, Paul Driver was still upbeat after the game. He commented "The lads are hurting a bit after losing a two goal lead, but they've performed well on the day. We've been roundly battered here for the last three seasons and they are a very good outfit with some promising individuals in there so to bring such a young group of players here and perform that well - especially in the first hour -is, for me, something to be positive about".
Rushden Team: Emery, Evans, Kirby (Gillingwater 70), Cox, Calcutt (Captain), McDonald, Hallford, Hayes, Sharpe (Heavey 74), Shariff, Easlea (Earls 70).
