Gillingham (U18's) 1 - 1 Rushden & Diamonds (U18's)

Monday 10 April 2006

The Diamonds were back on track following Saturday's disappointment as they travelled to Kent for the 2^nd time this season to play Gillingham in a noon kick-off on Monday.

The re-arranged fixture was the 2^nd time we had travelled to Gillingham following the referee's unbelievable decision to cancel the original fixture just an hour before kick-off.

With both Barry Hunter and Geoff Harrop giving us tremendous support by attending this away fixture, it was not so pleasing to see the players get off on the wrong foot.

The game started brightly in the Gills favour as they certainly demonstrated an eagerness to attack us from the off. This caused some problems adapting to the pace and therefore decision making was not the best in the 1^st quarter of the game. It was in this spell that Gillingham made some of their pressure pay, as they were rewarded a penalty - again similar to Saturday, we were a little bemused by the decision. A re-taken penalty enabled them to gain a slender lead, which remained until half-time.

A brief talking too at half-time, which included some harsh words, the players certainly looked a different team following the interval and it came as no surprise that the Diamonds equalised following a great run and cross by Lawrence Lambley, which was finished from close range by trialist Mbiyene Medine.

Other promising attempts were denied as the game progressed. The pace of our front men and the passing of the midfielders created problems for their back four, and this was supported by good Rushden defending to prevent any other attempts by the Gills.

Both Under 16 players Gregory Taylor and Jake Beecroft enjoyed a good 40 minute period in the game and performed well, which bodes well for the future.

Despite the chances created victory was not too be and the game ended level at 1-1.

Marc Tracy commented 'That was certainly a game of two halves in which the team bossing it were rewarded. We were too indecisive in our decisions and did not play with a real purpose or goals. It was 'playing in the motions' and we certainly cannot stand for any of that.

'It proved in the game that having talent is alone not good enough to achieve any success. It was only in the second half when our hunger and arrogance came in to force as we pushed our way into the game to begin to dictate it in our way.

'Controlled aggression is important and I felt that following our talk to the players following Saturday's ill discipline performance late in the game, prevented some players from expressing their true colours as they did not express themselves, possibly in fear of a repeat. What happened was 'a too nice approach to the game' which means you are starting on the back foot from the start.