The Youth Team have made it through to the final of the FA Midland Youth Cup following a hard fought 1 - 0 victory away to Shrewsbury Town Youth on Monday evening.
Paul Driver had all of his players currently out on work experience back for the game and gave starts to Centre Backs, Sean Calcutt and Jack Higgins with Lewis Hilliard returning to join Adam Sharpe in attack. Also restored to a strong defensive unit was Aynsley McDonald who had missed the previous two matches while away with the Wales Under 17s Squad
Early exchanges were fairly even with Rushden probably edging possession but Shrewsbury looked dangerous when they got the ball quickly into their three strikers with Coulston looking particularly dangerous and Richards shooting just over in the 22nd minute.
Rushden had efforts through Hallford and Sharpe and missed the chance to exploit on the break when they had a couple of players over but didn't move the ball to them quickly enough.
Half Time: Shrewsbury Town 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0
Rushden started the second half much the stronger of the two teams and were in control for the first quarter of an hour after the break but were unable to turn the pressure into clear cut chances or goals.
The hosts then had a period of dominance themselves with most of their good work again coming from Coulston before a shot from Hilliard was blocked and a drive from George Cox was saved comfortably by Maguire.
The deadlock was broken in the 75th minute when a diagonal ball from Hallford saw Maguire come off of his line to collect but Hooman, unaware of this, headed the ball back to where he thought his keeper was only to see it trickle into the empty net.
Freshwater replaced Easlea on the left side of midfield as Rushden sought to cancel out the threat of Coulston as the game entered the final fifteen minutes. Other than a slight scare from a free kick at the end of normal time and a nervousness that comes with five minutes of injury time, Rushden held firm to gain the victory and a place in the final.
Afterwards, Paul Driver was very pleased with the night's proceeding."This was an excellent all-round effort with all players putting in good performances with a high work rate that you need if you are going to win games like this. Yes, the goal was fortunate but sometimes you have to be determined and believe in yourselves to make your own luck and that's what I felt we did tonight where maybe we haven't on similar occasions in the past. Let's not forget, as well, that 7 of the 10 outfield players tonight were 1st Years so we are a young group and this makes reaching this final an impressive achievement by them".
The lads will now meet Port Vale in the final with a date and venue for the game still to be decided. It is hoped that, wherever the game is played, a lot of interest will be generated so that plenty of people travel to support the boys in their quest for silverware.
Rushden Team: Emery, Evans, McDonald, Cox, Calcutt, Higgins, Hallford, Hayes, Sharpe, Hilliard, Easlea (Freshwater 78).Subs Not Used: Kirby, Shariff, Earls, Gillingwater, Read.
AWAY SPONSORSHIP OFFER. Why not sponsor one of these exciting talents and help support your Youth System at the same time? For £250, you or your company can be the away sponsor for either Aynsley McDonald, Lewis Hallford, George Cox, Nabil Shariff or Matt Evans until the end of next season. Please email paul.driver@rd-fc.co.uk if you would like to take up this offer.
