Report

Thrapston Town 3-0 Rushden and Higham

Domination from start to finish resulted in Thrapston’s second win of the season at Chancery Lane last night. Some extremely lacklustre defending from the Rushden back four was the downfall of yesterday’s game, with all three goals coming from set pieces.

It only took the boys in blue two minutes to get their first chance after a scramble in the middle of the box, only for Ryan Clement to poke the ball wide; this was a sign of what was to come as it only took another ten minutes before Connor MaCalinden broke the deadlock. A pinpoint delivered free kick from the right hand touchline by Ryan Caller was too good for the Higham defence, leaving MaCalinden a free header to Thrapston one up.

A series of long balls from the Thrapston back four and Odell between the sticks gave the Rushden defence a headache all night long and it was a long ball that resulted in a corner leading to Thrapo’s second goal. Again, a well delivered cross wasn’t fully dealt with and landed greatly on the head of Ryan Clements who nodded home to double the advantage.

Rushden slightly picked up their after the second goal, creating a couple of half chances, of which were easily dealt with by the Thrapston defence. The home side went into the break the happier of the two teams.

The away sides best chance came midway through the second half. A two on one opportunity on the edge of the Thrapston box, only for the Rushden striker to fire over the bar. The closest they came but it wasn’t enough to beat a Thrapston defence that welcolmed back Liam Carter from first team duties.

Sixteen-year-old Luke Stevens didn’t show his age difference last night as his power and work rate was too much for the Rushden boys to handle. A string of good chances from Luke were not enough for him to put Thrapston three up but yet again, another corner was to change that. Elliot Rowe swung one in from the right hand side, to again meet some poor defending, allowing Stevens to poke home from close range.

Thrapston deserved their win last night and were by far the better team. Their hard work rate is to be greeted by Peterborough Northern Star next week.

Luke Odell