AFC Rushden and Diamonds youngsters lift the David Joyce Cup.
The Peterborough United under 18s were beaten 1-0 by AFC Rushden and Diamonds at Steel Park, home of Corby City, on Wednesday night with the Diamonds lifting the David Joyce Cup and exacting some revenge after being beaten by Posh in the final a year earlier.Posh struggled to create too many clear cut opportunities on a bobbly surface and were undone on the stroke of half-time when Ashley Hewitt rounded off a decent Diamonds move to give the side, managed by Darren Purse, what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
Ben Peaks went into the book for the Diamonds inside the opening quarter of an hour for hacking down Morgan Penfold with Hugh Alban-Jones seeing his free-kick take a huge deflection with goalkeeper Sam De Boer adjusting well to make the save.
AFC Rushden and Diamonds squandered a fine chance to break the deadlock moments later as Luke Garner raced clear, but he dragged his shot horribly wide on his left-foot. Strike partner Matt Pinder then headed wide as Darren Purse's men continued to threaten.
Morgan Penfold headed wide for Posh on 22 minutes after a deep centre to the back post. Posh were forced into a change on 35 minutes with Jarvis replaced by Kasey Douglas.
The deadlock was broken as the first half drew to a close and it was a well-worked effort, Garner picking out the onrushing HEWETT who took a touch and fired low past Henry and into the bottom corner of the net.
Hugh Alban-Jones tested De Boer with a deflected half-volley on 50 minutes with Goode heading the resulting set-piece wide of the target.
Leeson skied an effort after a classy run, Garner saw a shot blocked and then Baird fizzed a shot wide of the target as the Diamonds came close to doubling their lead as the hour mark approached.
Connor somehow headed over from close-range following a well driven Alban-Jones corner kick on 71 minutes. Fieldhouse sent a low shot wide of the target on 83 minutes after a low centre from the left by Piesse.
Posh huffed and puffed in the quest for an equaliser, but the Diamonds held on and lifted the David Joyce Cup in front of their noisy band of supporters.
AFC Rushden: De Boer, Leeson, Baird, Mastropiero, Peaks, Mcteggart, Desborough (sub Nginamau 65min) , Ackroyd, Pinder (sub Craddock 65min), Garner, Hewett. Unused subs: Freeman, Ali Farah, Goldsborough.
Posh: Henry, Piesse, Goode (sub Cartwright 55min), Connor, Ford, Noble (sub Maddison 72min), Jarvis (sub Douglas 35min), Penfold, Gow, Stump (sub Fieldhouse 64min), Alban-Jones.