Friday 9th April 2010

Sir Halley Stewart Field, Spalding Utd FC

Spalding Utd Youth 0 - 7 R&D Youth

(Conference Youth Alliance / Midland Division)

Diamonds Youth team came close to securing the Midland Division title with a 7-0 win against Spalding United on Friday afternoon, although the goals total should have been in double figures.

The game was virtually a one way affair with Diamonds close to opening the scoring on numerous occasions. Aynsley McDonald, Liam Read, Elliot Dent, Anthony Stockman and Callum Earls all came close, while Nabil Shariff had a shot cleared off the line before having another effort tipped over the bar. Dan Easlea also struck the bar but in added time, Morgan Phillips finally headed home from an Earls free-kick.

Diamonds went further ahead 2 minutes into the second half when an Earls corner was nodded on by Phillips, and Read finished at far post. Both Shariff and Wilson struck the bar before Stockman made it three on 64 minutes.

McDonald also struck the woodwork before heading home another from an Earls corner, while the final ten minutes saw Diamonds add another three goals. Shariff latched onto a through ball from Adam Sharpe, before Sharpe himself scored twice, first with a 20yard shot, and then poking home from close range.

With just two games remaining, they need 1 point to secure a place in the Championship Play Offs where the six Division champions enter a knock out competition.

Rushden & Diamonds: James Broadbent, Matt Evans (George Cox 57); Callum Earls; Connor Hayes (Adam Sharpe 57); Aynsley McDonald, Morgan Phillips; Liam Read, Elliot Dent, Nabil Shariff, Dan Easlea (Lewis Wilson HT), Anthony Stockman.

Subs not used: Nil.

Goals: Morgan Phillips 45+1 (0-1), Liam Read 47 (0-2), Anthony Stockman 64 (0-3), Aynsley McDonald 73 (0-4), Nabil Shariff 82 (0-5), Adam Sharpe 84 (0-6), Adam Sharpe 87 (0-7).