The JPL Cup/Shield play-offs commence this weekend with the first leg matches. The second leg is due to be played on Saturday 10th January 2015.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U12s 6 v 3 WBA Colts (1)
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton, 10am kick off
What an exciting match! Diamonds got off to a good start putting WBA on the back foot, but against the run of play in fairness, scored 2 quick goals from some good passing moves. WBA added a 3rd early in the second period but then Diamonds got a live line from a penalty. This sparked the home team into a revival and they soon added a 2nd – 2-3 to WBA at half-time. It was nip n tuck all through the 3rd period with both goalkeepers very busy, but Diamonds took control with an equaliser early in the final period, quickly followed by a dominating last 10 minutes of the match where Diamonds added 3 more goals.
JPL match report can be found here
Histon F.C. U13s 5 v 6 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s
Played at the Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon, 11am kick off
Hitchingbrooke was the place to be if you wanted to see an open attacking game with plenty of goals. Both sides playing attractive football and looking to play through the thirds.
The first period was deja voux from the league clash with Freddie Barker opening the scoring after a great combination move and he cooly slotted the ball past the Histon keeper to make the score 1-0. Histon within 5 minutes drew level direct from a free kick which was excellently executed buy Harvey Humble.
The game really was a 50/50 much like the first encounter, both sides with good technical players looking to exploit space and play combinations. The second period saw AFC go back in to the lead with Ed Farrell scoring two good goals. AFC had some good chances but the Histon keeper Riley Larham made some very good saves. Histon got another in response to make the score 2-3 at the end of the second period.
The third period Ed Farrell got in twice more and finished well with Lewis Watkins from Histon pulling another back for the home side. End period 3 scoreline 3-5.
Much like the first encounter the final period the game became stretched and Histon took advantage of the additional space and punished AFC twice to level the game up 5-5. Diamonds heads however stayed up and they rallied and got back in to the period and started to apply consistent pressure resulting in a number of corners. The Histon keeper made some great saves but when the ball dropped to Freddie Barker on the edge of the area the keeper could not keep it out and with 30 seconds left there was no time for Histon to get back in to the game.
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U14s 2 v 4 Histon F.C. U14s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton, 10:30am kick off
Diamonds started the brighter but were let down a little in the final third. They had chances and even a good penalty claim turned down and goal line clearance but found themselves 2-0 down at half time. The second half started scrappy but Histon extended their lead and after a harsh deflection were 4-0 to the good. Diamonds didn’t give up and finished the game much better. 2-4 down but with everything to play for in the second leg.
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U15s 0 v 2 St.Neots F.C. U15s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton, 12noon kick off
A good game with Diamonds controlling most of the first half, but St Neots’ good defending saw them rewarded with a second period opener. Diamonds started the second half with good football and continued their domination, but they just couldn’t convert this into goals. St Neots extended their lead from a quick counter attack. Good overall discipline and organisation won the day for the visitors.
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U16s v Coventry F.C. U16s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton, 10am kick off
This match took time to develop, but it was Diamonds who scored 2 well worked and patient goals to go into the half-time break 2-0 up. This continued in the second half, despite some good football from Coventry, and Diamonds added a 3rd to be deserved winners 3-0.
JPL match report can be found here
