Thursday 22nd October 2009

F.A. Youth Cup sponsored by E.On

3rd Qualifying Round

Rocester 0 Rushden & Diamonds 5

Rocester's F.A. Youth Cup run came to an end against a stylish Rushden & Diamonds side in front of a bumper 111 attendance at Hillsfield on Thursday evening.

The young Romans side had been dealt a huge blow at the weekend with the news that leading scorer Matt Redshaw would have to miss the game through an injury picked up in Sunday football, and with Sean Dunion and George Stack also sidelined an already difficult task was made even harder.

On a wet pitch the talented Northamptonshire outfit nosed ahead in the fifth minute with a sharp finish from former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Sean Shields, and Shields was on target again just twelve minutes later when he capitalised on a defensive slip to score his and Rushden's second goal of the night.

Connor McGinley grazed the top of the bar with a rising shot and Tom Magness also clipped the woodwork as Rocester settled more into the game, but Romans keeper Joe Draper was called upon to make two or three excellent saves before the outstanding Shields completed his hat-trick after intercepting a poor pass.

Nabil Shariff added a fourth goal from close range midway through the second half and it was down to Shields in the closing moments to complete the scoring with the goal of the night - a sublime 25-yard chip over Draper.

Rocester may have been beaten, but they competed well against a strong full-time team and can be proud of their achievement in reaching the Third Qualifying Round with handsome victories over Bromyard Town, Bedworth United and Wednesfield.