Paramount 0-7 Diamonds

Diamonds returned to action after a week off with a resounding win against Paramount in the Reggie Smith Cup. The lads took control of the match from the start and took the lead after about ten minutes with a headed goal from Liam Roberts. Liam headed a second and completed his hat-trick before half time with a fine left footed shot into the bottom corner. Kyle Davies added a fourth before the break with a shot from the edge of the box into the roof of the net. Diamonds were in full control and at times were playing some neat pasing football while their opponents were finding it difficult to create any chances of their own. Credit to Paramount who continued to battle hard to get a foothold in the match but Diamonds proved too strong for them on the day. The lads added three goals in the second half which were scored by Michael Duffy, Joe Harvey and Kai Edwards. The second half saw the introduction of Niall Ward as he continues his comeback from a long term injury and he was positive in everything he did which is a very encouraging sign for the future for both Niall and the team. Well played to the lads from both teams and Diamonds can look forward to the challenge that Ash Celtic will present next week.

Diamonds were unfortunate to lose in a tough encounter against physical opposition today. The match started off in the worst possible fashion when Diamonds conceded a goal in the opening two minutes when a player was left unmarked at the back post to head the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. The lads responded superbly to the early setback and were on level terms just minutes later when Fraser Hanlon headed into the net from an unchallenged position. Diamonds then took full control as Fraser Hanlon added a second following a corner and Liam Roberts extended the lead to 3-1. This was all within the first fifteen minutes or so and it looked as though the goals would continue to flow with South Liverpool looking extremely vulnerable at the back. Unfortunately for Diamonds a couple of injuries proved costly when first they lost Guy Johnston and subsequently Mark Simm, following a strong challenge, just minutes later. This led not only to changes in personnel but also positional changes which interrupted Diamonds control of the match. South Liverpool also made changes which had a telling impact on the match. Along with the changes by both teams there was a major shift in the game when Diamonds were awarded a clear penalty, despite protests from their opponents, but both the penalty kick and rebound opportunities were spurned. This was compounded when just a couple of minutes later a speculative shot from the halfway line went into the roof of the net in spectacular fashion to bring South Liverpool back into the match at 3-2. To be fair the player had a couple of earlier 'sighters' so although it was an incredible goal it cannot be considered a fluke but whether the player concerned should have been on the pitch is open to question. Had Diamonds converted the penalty to go into a 4-1 lead it is doubtful whether their opponents would have been able to recover. Diamonds led 3-2 at half time but, having lost their momentum when in full flow, it was going to be a difficult task to keep their opponents at bay during the second half. Although South Liverpool had most of the possession in the second period Diamonds came closest to scoring first when a rasping shot from Liam Roberts, which looked set to extend their lead, swerved away from goal at the last second and crashed against a post. Diamonds were to rue this piece of poor fortune when South Liverpool equalised when a corner kick was headed into the net. Diamonds fought hard to prevent any further damage but four minutes from the end they were dealt a massive blow when South Liverpool took the lead. The goal came when Michael Duffy tried his level best to put in a saving tackle but was prevented from doing so by a clear foul which the referee chose to ignore. Worse was to come when, in the dying minutes, Michael went down to the other end and jumped over two attempts to bring him down only to be hacked down inside the box by a dangerous tackle. The referee apparently decided to go back to the original attempt to bring him down and gave a free kick outside the box. To ignore the advantage rule that he had tried to allow in the first place was inexplicable. With that decision Diamonds final chance to get back on terms dissappeared and they deserved more for their efforts than a 4-3 defeat. The referee got some big decisions wrong today, including disallowing a Liam Roberts goal in the first half, which would have made the scoreline 4-2, for offside when it looked as though he had timed his run to perfection. More worrying though was the lack of protection afforded to players from potentially dangerous tackles. Two footed tackles and tackles with studs showing are not permitted in the modern game (for obvious reasons) and both the referee and the league have an obligation to all participants to mitigate the potential for serious injury by taking appropriate action to ensure that such challenges are eliminated from the game. Both lines over-reacted at times today and Diamonds will address the position and take steps to keep their house in order. It was unfortunate that the lads were not rewarded for their efforts but they should be congratulated for playing the match in the correct manner and spirit (and long may that continue). Well done to Diamonds' lads - they showed greater restraint and were a better example than many of the parents today and they can count themselves extremely unlucky not to get something from the match.

Diamonds lost their position at the top of the table with a disappointing performance which a good Bootle side took full advantage of. The opening minutes gave little indication of what was to come as Diamonds settled into an early rhythm and looked favourites to score. However a defensive lapse allowed Bootle to take the lead and with it the initiative. Diamonds missed a great chance to equalise when the option to lob the advancing keeper wasn't quite executed with the precision needed. The lads were trying hard to get back on level terms but Bootle were just as dangerous and were also threatening to extend their advantage. Diamonds worst fears came to fruition when another defensive lapse, early in the second half, allowed Bootle to take a two goal lead. Diamonds continued to battle hard and got back in the match with a little bit of good fortune when the ball fell kindly for them during a goalmouth scramble and Aaron Pendlebury prodded the ball into the net. This gave the lads a great chance of pulling the match out of the fire and they pushed hard for an equaliser. However Bootle defended efficiently and were just as likely to score on the break to kill the game off. Diamonds had a great chance to equalise in the final minutes but unfortunately a good run on to a pass into the box only resulted in a shot being directed too close to the keeper who tipped the ball over the crossbar. Bootle were able to see out the last couple of minutes to earn an excellent victory for a good display. While Diamonds were not firing on all cylinders today credit should be given to their opponents who made it very difficult for the lads in all areas of the pitch. Diamonds have had a very encouraging start to the season but they will have to earn every victory in this league and they will need to work hard and show maximum commitment each and every week. If they fall short in any way they will be exposed and punished against the high quality teams that they are competing against. Despite the disappointing result we are confident that the lads will respond in the right way and they will certainly need to when they face South Liverpool in a very tough match next week. Well played to both teams and congratulations to Bootle for their excellent win. The referee also deserves a mention, as although he was not perfect (& not expected to be) and probably blew the final whistle slightly early, he was the best we have witnessed so far this season.

Diamonds enjoyed a fine win against a strong and physical Orchard team in a very competitive and entertaining match. Orchard have some very good players and have been on a great run recently and have knocked the league leaders off the top spot in the previous two weeks. Diamonds knew they were going to be involved in a tough match and the opening exchanges proved to be hard fought with the teams being evenly matched. Diamonds were standing up to the physical test and probably just edging things in terms of passing football. Diamonds took the lead midway through the first half when the lads put a good move together down the left hand side and James Wolfe made a good run into the box and took a pass in his stride and clipped the ball over the keeper, as he was diving at his feet, into the net. Better was to follow for Diamonds shortly after when a corner was cleared to the edge of the box and James Wolfe unleashed a terrific volley into the top corner giving the keeper absolutely no chance. Diamonds held the two goal lead until half time and although Orchard were pushing hard to get back in the match their best opportunities were coming from slight errors of judgement by Diamonds. Orchard continued to press hard at the start of the second half but the lads coped well with the threat while also trying to extend their lead. A third goal arrived for Diamonds when Fraser Hanlon flighted an excellent free kick into the path of Liam Roberts who latched onto the ball to rifle a volley past the keeper into the corner of the net. The third goal virtually killed the game off but Orchard never gave up the gauntlet and they were given a way back in when the referee awarded a penalty which looked a little harsh. Having said that the lads must learn to not go to ground in the penalty box unless absolutely necessary. Cameron McLeod pulled off a fine save from the penalty and the rebound was blasted against the top of the cross bar and ran to safety for Diamonds. Had the penalty been converted it would have made the last few minutes more nerve wracking but Diamonds were able to see out the last few minutes in relative comfort. Diamonds currently top the table but we are less than a third of the way through the season and there a tough games coming up each week. There are no prizes given out in October but if the lads show the same sort of effort and commitment in the coming months they will give themselves a chance of 'being in the mix' at the end of the season. Well done to both teams today - it was a tough and competitive match. Terrific performance lads.

Diamonds put on a good display against a competitive Naylorsfield team. Once again though the final scoreline did not give a full picture of the match although there can be little doubt that the lads thoroughly deserved their win. In the early stages the teams were evenly matched and both teams were trying to play passing football in an attempt to take control of the match. Both were finding it difficult to create clear cut chances and the teams were generally cancelling each other out until Liam Roberts pounced on a headed ball forward to break the deadlock with a fine finish. This gave Diamonds the edge although Naylorsfield tried hard to get back on level terms. Diamonds were also pressing hard to extend their lead and managed to score two more goals before the half time break when two good balls into the box were inadvertently directed into their own net by Naylorsfield defenders. Although Diamonds had a three goal half time lead the match was far from over and they needed to work hard in the second period to maintain their advantage. Naylorsfield did manage to pull a goal back but Diamonds went straight down to the other end and Kyle Davies shot into the net after a goalmouth scramble to restore the three goal advantage. There was just one cause for concern when Diamonds conceded a penalty for a foul, which appeared to be just outside the penalty area, but Cameron McLeod dived to his left to make a fine save. Had Naylorsfield scored the penalty the closing minutes may have been much more tense but the lads ran out reasonably comfortable winners in the end. The win takes Diamonds to the top of the table and, while it is a fantastic achievement in a very tough league, the lads are very aware that there is a long way to go and there are difficult games coming up each week with a lot of teams capable of beating each other. Diamonds are not the finished article and there is still plenty of room for improvement but the signs are encouraging. The lads will have a difficult game next week when they take on an Orchard side that put on an excellent performance against them a few weeks ago despite being down to 10 players and whose confidence will be high after fine wins against South Liverpool and Widnes Dragons in the last couple of weeks. Diamonds are looking forward to another tough challenge. Well played to both Diamonds & Naylorsfield today - it was an entertaining and competitive match.

Although the scoreline gives the impression that this was an emphatic win for Diamonds it does not give the full picture. If Delta Taxis had taken their chances and Cameron McLeod not played so well in goal it could have been a much different story. Diamonds started the match well and took an early two goal lead when first Liam Roberts finished off a good move and then Fraser Hanlon hit a fine volley into the roof of the net. At this point Diamonds looked as though they would go on to win comfortably but their opponents fought hard to get back in the match and very nearly did on a couple of occasions. Delta Taxis missed three or four great opportunities to score and with more clinical finishing and a bit of luck may well have been on level terms at the half time break. Diamonds also missed opportunities to extend their lead and the score remained at 2-0 well into the second period. However when Diamonds finally scored a third goal the tide turned and an avalanche of goals quickly followed. Delta Taxis were still making but not taking their chances and the well worn cliche of 'goals change games' was never more apparent than in this match. Diamonds clearly deserved their victory but it should not have been as great a margin as it turned out to be and the lads, while delighted with the final result, should be concerned at the number of chances that they allowed their opponents today. The lads have currently adapted well to the new league but there is still plenty of room for improvement and much work to be done if they are to maintain their position near the top of the table. The goals were scored by Liam Roberts, who bagged four, Joe Harvey chipped in with two and Fraser Hanlon got one with the other coming via an own goal. Well played to both teams and Diamonds will need to be ready for next week's challenge against Naylorsfield.
 

Diamonds were involved in what became a tough battle against a competitive Mersey South team today. Unfortunately the lads did not help themselves by lacking composure at times and they were also out muscled frequently in important areas of the pitch. Too often they were second to the ball and they were also sloppy in possession and on occasions gave the ball away far too easily. Diamonds took a deserved lead after about fifteen minutes when a fine run down the right hand side by Michael Duffy finished with a good cross which Liam Roberts swept into the net. It looked as though Diamonds would go on to win the match reasonably comfortably but Mersey South responded well and fought hard to get back on level terms. They nearly achieved their goal when Alistair Clark, playing against his former team, broke free and crashed a shot against the bar. Having said that Alistair had clearly fouled a defender in the build up and this was one of a number of basic mistakes which the young referee made during the match. Both teams will have been unhappy at the quality of the officiating and the league needs to look closely at the appropriate age level that young referees should officiate. The teams were essentially cancelling each other out with neither creating many chances and Diamonds must be given credit for restricting their opponents to only a couple of half chances throughout the entire match. Diamonds did not create many openings themsleves but they did create slightly more than their opponents and they should really have extended their lead in the second period. They were unable to capitalise on the chances that they did make and left themselves vulnerable to being hit on the break particularly in the tense closing stages. Diamonds defended well throughout and managed to hold on for a hard earned victory. Both teams deserve credit for battling performances and the lads will need to step up their game next week when they take on Delta Taxis who earned a good result today against Widnes Dragons. Well done to both teams for a highly competitive match.

Diamonds ran out comfortable winners against Fur & Feather scoring five in each half. The lads went into an early two goal lead and although Fur & Feather continued to battle for the rest of the match the result was never in doubt after that. Diamonds played some good football and were too powerful for their opponents today. The goals were scored by Liam Roberts (2), Dominic Burke (2), Mark Simm (2), Guy Johnston, Aaron Pendlebury, Kai Edwards & Tom Rockwood. The match was notable for the return to action of Niall Ward after his near 11 month absence due to injury. Niall came on as a second half substitute and he, and everyone else, will be delighted that he is taking part again. Well done to Niall in particular and to the rest of the lads for an excellent victory and performance. They will need to remain fully focused for the challenge presented by Mersey South next week.

Diamonds made life difficult for themselves in what should have been a far more comfortable win against a ten man Orchard team. Orchard must be given enormous credit for their battling display despite being a player short but at the same time Diamonds must stop their current habit of gifting goals to their opponents - they will pay the price in this tough league. Diamonds took advantage of their numerical supremacy to take control of the early exchanges and they went in front when Liam Roberts scored the first of a hat trick when he tucked a penalty kick into the bottom corner. A horrible defensive lapse allowed Orchard back on level terms in their first serious attack of the match. Diamonds restored the advantage when Kyle Davies scored and Kai Edwards went on to give the lads a two goal cushion. Diamonds then allowed Orchard to get back in the match with another defensive lapse and went into the half time break with a 3-2 lead. Diamonds were still not at their best and Orchard were giving a very good account of themselves but when Diamonds went into a 5-2 lead the match looked all over. Kyle Davies scored the fourth with a terrific long range effort and Liam Roberts scored the fifth. However another defensive lapse allowed an Orchard player to go on a great run and he scored with a fantastic shot into the top corner. Worse was to come for Diamonds when they allowed space in the box for Orchard to score from a free header. Orchard had done brilliantly to get back in the match at 5-4 and with Diamonds switching off the win was far from secure. Fortunately Diamonds scored the next goal and were able to see out the match and get an important three points registered on the board. Diamonds will need to up their level and be far more focused in the coming matches and they will certainly need to cut out the defensive mistakes. They have conceded seven goals in just two matches and the entire team need to take responsbility for improving defensively as this is not just down to the back four. Well done to Orchard for a great effort in the circumstances and to Diamonds who can only attempt to win against the team that is presented against them. The first two matches have confirmed that this will be a highly competitive league.

Diamonds switch to the Belle Vale League got off to an exciting start with a cracking match between two well matched teams. The lads took the initiative early on when Liam Roberts struck a fantastic shot after a good move to give Diamonds an early lead. Unfortunately the hard work was cancelled out when a defensive lapse gifted their opponents an equaliser. Diamonds were back in front shortly after when Liam Roberts scored another fine goal and at this stage the lads were looking capable of going on to win the match. Widnes Dragons were causing problems though with their direct approach which included long throw ins into the box and they were benefitting from a strong wind behind them. It was no great surprise therefore when Dragons equalised again from a flick on after another long throw. Widnes had the chance to take the lead when Diamonds conceded a needless penalty but fortunately the spot kick rebounded off the cross bar. The half time break came with the teams level at 2-2 but Diamonds were optimistic that with the benefit of the wind behind them and a bit more composure shown on the ball that they could go on to win in the second period although the physical strength and direct approach of their opponents was giving genuine cause for concern. The second half proved to be a tight affair but Diamonds were not picking up enough of the loose and 50/50 balls due to the greater strength and determination shown by their opponents. Diamonds nearly paid the price when they conceded another penalty which this time missed the target completely. However the relief for Diamonds was short lived when Dragons broke to score a winner in the dying minutes. Diamonds tried to hit back immediately and went close on a couple of occasions but Dragons could not be denied the win that overall they deserved. It was a tremendous opening match between two good teams and we know from the recent Champions League campaign that both teams will give a good account of themselves in this league. We have moved to the Belle Vale League to ensure progression and development for the lads and there is no doubt that the quality of the teams will ensure that this happens. Lessons will need to be learned quickly and notably that mistakes will be punished at this level so concentration throughout is of paramount importance. We also need to compete with greater determination and physical commitment for each and every ball or pay the price. Improved vocal contribution (not directed at the referee)! is needed from each of the players to help in anticipating and reacting to developing situations. Congratulations to both teams on their performances in what was a thrilling match. The lads will need to be on their mettle for the challenge which Orchard will present next week.