28 November 2007
VIDEO: Second Round - Aldershot 0-3 Rushden & Diamonds

Rushden & Diamonds eased their way into the Third Round at the expense of Aldershot. Look out for Sam Smith's goal.


Aldershot Town

0-3

Rushden & Diamonds

Higgins 10, Smith 17,
Hilliard 68


The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Second Round Proper 
Wednesday 28 November 2007
Recreation Ground, Aldershot TowFC
Click here for results

Rushden & Diamonds moved into the Third Round Proper of The FA Youth Cup after an impressive display at Aldershot Town's Recreation Ground on Wednesday night.

On a windswept evening in Hampshire, the winter rain provided a perfect greasy surface for players wanting to zip passes to their team-mates.

It was the visitors who looked the more threatening with Lewis Hilliard catching the eye during the early exchanges, not just for his peroxide blond hairdo.

Rushden took the lead on ten minutes when a free-kick was only cleared as far as Sean Calcutt whose goalbound header was nodded past Arron Bufton by Jack Higgins.

It was 2-0 seven minutes later. Sam Smith made Aldershot pay for allowing him time to take aim and fire into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Rocked by the double blow, Aldershot began to tread the first steps of the road to recovery and in Dan Simmons, who has played for his side's first team this season, and Lucas Pickett they had players who could cause Rushden problems.

Simmons, socks pulled above his knees, showed good pace and control while left-winger Pickett enjoyed a terrific battle with Ben Nunn, Rushden's impressive right-back. Both Aldershot players launched into a number of crunching challenges, highlighting the commitment level from both sides.

Aldershot went close on 40 minutes when a free-kick was headed clear to Russell Benham whose volley was fumbled behind by Joe Day.

Rushden should have wrapped the game up two minutes after half-time. Aldershot defenders Billy Watson and Mohammad Habu got in a muddle at the back allowing Smith to race clear, but he dragged his shot wide with just Bufton to beat.

The complexion of the game changed after that miss with Aldershot gaining the ascendancy. Admirably playing the ball out from the back, mostly through the excellent Habu, they gave Rushden an almighty fright without finding the killer touch.

Aldershot forward Dan Read was sent scurrying down the line by lively fellow forward Simmons but could only watch as his powerful shot fizzed past the far post.

Peter Hibbert then saw a header cleared off the line as the home side continued to dominate.

Aldershot pressed on in hope of pulling a goal back but we left to rue missing two gilt-edged chances which both fell to Simmons.

After being played through by Watson, Simmons' poor touch let the ball squirm through to the relieved Day. The Rushden 'keeper was then called into action moments later to deny the same player, spreading himself bravely to frustrate the hosts.

Hilliard sealed Rushden's route through to the next round in the 68th minute when he timed his burst from midfield to perfection, rounding the exposed Bufton before rolling the ball into an empty net.

The visitors finished strongly with Calcutt and Lewis Hallford squandering good chances - the sort they will need to take if they want to overcome Colchester in the Third Round.

Elsewhere Oldham Athletic youth team's comprehensive 4-1 win against Lincoln City secured the Latics a Third Round clash with Sheffield United.

First half strikes from Liam Dawson and Ryan Brooke put the Latics in the lead, but Lincoln's Andy Hutchinson responded by finding the back of the net before the half-time whistle.

Djeny Bembo-Leta rolled home a third and an own goal from Lincoln's defender Lee Welburn sealed the victory for Oldham.