Port Vale U18s 3 Rushden & Diamonds 1

Diamonds lost to Port Vale in the Midland Youth Cup Final despite having the better chances throughout the game. Vale went in front after just 3 minutes when Sam Lovatt took just one touch and fired the ball past Michael Emery after Diamonds failed to deal with an Anthony Malbon cross. Diamonds had several chances to draw level in the first half. The Vale keeper made a superb save from Adam Sharpe on 32 minutes before James Freshwater followed up and struck the post. In injury time Lewis Hallford and Sharpe came close. Further chances fell to Hilliard and Nabil Shariff in the second half before John Wigglesworth powered forward to get Diamonds back in the game on 76 minutes. Almost straight from the restart Andrew Osei Sirbor crossed from the right for James Lawrie to head home and put Vale back in front. Jack Higgins had an effort cleared off the line close the end, but Osei Sirbor added a third in injury time.

Match report to follow.