Wednesday 7th April 2010 at Bloomfields, Needham Market FC

Ipswich Town CT Youth 0 - 5 Rushden & Diamonds Youth

(Conference Youth Alliance / Midland Division)

Diamonds Youth team extended their lead in the Midland Youth Alliance / Midland Division, with a 5-0 win against Ipswich Town CT. Goals from Adam Sharpe (2), Aynsley McDonald, Lewis Wilson put Diamonds four up at the break, and Anthony Stockman added another in the second period.

Having fielded a young side the previous evening in the County Cup semi final win at Rothwell Town, Callum Earls, Morgan Phillips and Lewis Wilson all made a second start in two days.

Diamonds went in front on 6 minutes when Adam Sharpe capitalised on a slip by an Ipswich defender trying to clear Matt Evans' long ball forward. Aynsley McDonald added a second on 32 minutes heading home a Callum Earls free kick.

After Sharpe had struck the bar with a chip over the keeper, he added another just before the break firing home from the edge of the area following Connor Hayes through ball. Less than a minute later, Lewis Wilson added the fourth with a fierce shot from 15 yards.

The second half proved to be an anticlimax, as play from both sides became very scrappy. Both teams had a goal disallowed, and scrappy was an apt description for Diamonds fifth goal on 77minutes. Sharpe's cross from the right found Anthony Stockman in the middle and his shot rebounded off the keeper and then back off Stockman into the net.

The win puts Diamonds 6 points ahead of Hitchin Town in the title race, with just three games remaining. They head to Spalding United this Friday - 2pm kick-off. 

Team:

Rushden & Diamonds: James Broadbent, Matt Evans; Callum Earls (Dan Easlea 73); Connor Hayes; Aynsley McDonald, Morgan Phillips; Lewis Wilson (Lewis Hallford 58); George Cox, Adam Sharpe, Chris Kirby, Anthony Stockman.

Subs not used: Liam Read, Jake Gillingwater, Elliot Dent.

Goals: Adam Sharpe 6 (0-1), Aynsley McDonald 32 (0-2), Adam Sharpe 43 (0-3), Lewis Wilson 44 (0-4), Anthony Stockman 77 (0-5).