Rushden & Diamonds U18s were knocked out of the Northants FA Boys Under 18 County Cup in their 1st Round tie against Northampton Town. With the scores remaining at 0-0 after extra time, it was Northampton who kept their nerve to win the penalty shoot out 3-2.
Diamonds fielded a young side of mainly 1st year scholars, with only James Broadbent (in goal), Elliot Dent and Liam Read (playing in midfield) in the starting eleven. Morgan Phillips and Jake Gillingwater were in action on work experience for UCL sides St.Ives Town and Northampton Spencer respectively.
Diamonds almost got the perfect start when Read turned inside from the left and struck the ball against the post, rebounding off the keeper and out for a corner. Chances throughout the half however were few and far between. Northampton's first chance came after 26 minutes, when Will Green nipped in between Max Harradine and Broadbent, but he sent his effort over the bar.
The Northampton side were more physical, and didn't allow Diamonds any time to dwell on the ball - Ben Islam finding his way into the referee's notebook after a strong challenge on Dent.
Half-time: Northampton Town 0 - 0 Diamonds
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with neither side able to carve open the other side. Liam Read came close but was just unable to connect with Jake Woolley's cross on 54 minutes. Northampton's Will Green received a yellow card as the number of free kicks increased.
Broadbent did well to block from Hussein Mohamed as the striker got clear while at the other end, Femi Solesi (who had replaced Dom Brennan) and Jake Woolley were just unable to poke the ball home as Town struggled to clear the ball away. The best chance fell to Northampton in the final minute of regulation time as Merson Styles fired over before Charlie Death cross from the left drifted agonisingly across the goalmouth.
Full-time: Northampton Town 0 - 0 Diamonds
Northampton's Josh McGoldrick became the third person to receive a yellow card as the visitors came out strongly at the start of extra time but again, neither keeper looked under threat. Things did liven up right at the end of the second period however with both sides having the chance to win it in the closing two minutes.
On 118 minutes, Broadbent saved low down from substitute Eyasin Hussain, before play switched to the other end where Callum Earls attempted lob over the keeper went inches over the bar. Then in added time, Town's Greg Kaziboni struck the crossbar with Broadbent stranded, and although the ball ended up in the net, the assistant's flag was raised for offside.
After extra-time: Northampton Town 0 - 0 Diamonds
So it was down to penalty kicks and with Callum Earls and Liam Read both converting theirs, Diamonds had the advantage when Ben Islam missed his spot kick. Unfortunately, keeper Jak Riley saved from both Charlie Desmond and Femi Solesi, before Elliot Dent fired over the bar to secure a 3-2 win for Northampton.
Northampton Town: Jak Riley, Josh McGoldrick, Merson Styles (Jordan Chambers 90), Malachi Farquharson, Zak Farr, Ben Islam, Daniel Bucciero, Greg Kaziboni, Hussein Mohamed (Eyasin Hussain 75), Will Green, Dominic Green (Charlie Death 45).
Subs not used: Sammy Shulberg.
Rushden & Diamonds: James Broadbent, Zak Reynolds, Joe Hopewell (Callum Earls 90), Jerry Nash, Max Harradine, Ben Ekins, Jordan Pendered, Elliot Dent, Jake Woolley (Charlie Desmond 90), Dominic Brennan (Femi Solesi 63), Liam Read.
Subs not used: Dan Wallace, George Artemi.
Penalty scorers: Callum Earls, Liam Read (Diamonds), Will Green, Malachi Farquharson, Charlie Death (Northampton).
