Monday 10th May 2010 at Nene Park
Conference Youth Alliance
Championship Play-Off Semi Final
R & DFC Youth 0 - 2 Dartford Whites Youth
Diamonds Youth team lost out on a place in the Play-Off Final, losing by two goals to Southern Division D Champions Dartford Whites. Dartford will now meet Bromley Blues in the Play-Off Final next week.
Paul Driver made one change to the side which beat Ebbsfleet United the previous Wednesday, with Lewis Wilson replacing Jake Gillingwater in the forward line.
Diamonds had the better of the opening period, but failed to make possession count. They did have the ball in the net on 16 minutes after a Lewis Wilson long throw was nodded on by Morgan Phillips and stabbed over the line, but it was ruled out for an initial push.
The visitors gained in confidence as the half progressed and both Ryan Golding and Jake Burman had shots from distance which failed to trouble James Broadbent in the Diamonds goal. After a succession of Dartford corners, a quick break saw Nabil Shariff surge forward - his shot being saved low down by Dartford keeper Deren Ibrahim.
On 43 minutes, Shariff and Wilson combined well down the left flank to set up Elliot Dent, but his effort was deflected just wide of the goal.
Half-time: R&DFC 0 Dartford Whites 0
In the second period, Diamonds again started well with some better passing movements, but were still unable to break down the solid Dartford defence.
On the hour however, a good strong run by Dartford's Gregg Benbow saw him race into the penalty area. He rode a tackle from Morgan Phillips, but as Matt Evans challenged to dispossess the Dartford winger, he went to ground with the referee awarding a penalty kick. Connor Heffernan stepped up and placed the spot kick wide of James Broadbent to give the visitors the lead.
Diamonds came close to leveling just three minutes later with the Dartford keeper doing well to punch away Aynsley McDonald's header from a Callum Earls corner.
As Diamonds pushed forward, the game became more physical and several players from both sides went into the referee's notebook. The visitors defence came under increasing pressure as Diamonds tried to find a way through. As the final five minutes approached, Connor Hayes came close - his shot being well saved by Ibrahim, while Shariff's shot from a good position went wide.
With Diamonds pushing everyone forward, Benbow went close for Dartford, before deep into added time, they made the game safe as Heffernan broke down the right and crossed for Adam Burchell to fire home.
Full time: R&DFC 0 Dartford Whites 2
Diamonds U18s still have the chance of winning another piece of silverware, when they take on Corby Town for the Northants FA Boys Under 18 County Cup at Nene Park on Wednesday 19 May (7:30pm kick-off).
Rushden & Diamonds: James Broadbent, Matt Evans, Callum Earls, Connor Hayes, Morgan Phillips (c), Aynsley McDonald, Lewis Wilson (Jake Gillingwater 59), Elliot Dent (Anthony Stockman 81), Nabil Shariff, Adam Sharpe (Liam Read 77), George Cox.
Subs not used: Nil.
Dartford Whites: Deren Ibrahim, Pyan Palmer, Daniel Palfrey, Brett Fairman, Liam Panther, Jake Burman (Aaron Guard 55), Adam Burchell, Connor Heffernan, Ryan Golding, Jack Pallen, Gregg Benbow.
Subs not used: Daniel Gannon, Nathan White, Joe Watt, Frazer Bent, Alec Hollywood, Andrew Muirhead.
Goals: Connor Heffernan 61pen (0-1); Adam Burchell 90+3 (0-2).
Yellow cards: Adam Sharpe, Ryan Golding, Jack Pallen, Adam Birchell.
