Down at the Diamonds

  AFC Rushden & Diamonds defeated their near neighbours Kettering Town on Tuesday and advance to the NFA Hillier Senior Cup semi-finals.   The match finished level after normal time and thus a penalty shootout was required to determine the winner but Diamonds triumphed 4-2 on spot kicks with Dean Snedker making two saves.   The visitors took an early lead as Jordan Crawford fired the ball across goal for Connor Johnson to turn in at the back post.   Rushden grew into the match and eventually found their equaliser as Ty Deacon bundled the ball home from close range to open his Diamonds account. Sam Warburton, Will Jones, Nathan Tshikuna and Connor Furlong were all on target in the penalty shootout with Dean Snedker making saves to deny Kyle Perry and Claudio Ofosu and seal a Diamonds win.   Andy Peaks acknowledged that a pragmatic approach was needed against their National League North opponents but was pleased with the way his side managed...

  AFC Rushden & Diamonds return to league action on Saturday (6th) as they travel to Hednesford Town in the Southern League Premier Central.   Diamonds enter this game off the back of their elimination from the FA Trophy at Matlock Town but their second half fight back will provide encouragement and belief going into this match.   Andy Peaks was pleased with Diamonds’ commitment and desire in Matlock but he would like to see his side stretch the quality of performance across an entire match.   “I keep saying I want a complete performance” Peaks revealed.   “I think at Stratford the other night was probably the most complete performance we’ve had if I’m being honest – first half and the second half – it was pretty good right through.”   “Today [versus Matlock] was not bad. We’ve had a ten-minute spell where we’ve conceded a couple of goals which were avoidable but then I suppose all goals are. Other than that, I think we played well”.    Tailor...

  AFC Rushden & Diamonds were eliminated from the FA Trophy at the hands of Matlock Town on Saturday (30th).   The Diamonds produced a courageous and spirited performance, particularly in the second half where they almost completed an admirable comeback, but the visitors ran out of time.   Matlock scored twice in quick succession in the second half with Alex Byrne and Jesurun Uchegbulam both lobbing Dean Snedker within the space of five minutes. Ravi Shamsi halved the deficit with a superb strike from range but Diamonds could not convert their late pressure into an equaliser.   Andy Peaks fielded the same team which defeated Stratford Town during the week and was satisfied with his side’s performance despite their defeat.   “We played some good stuff against a really good team,” said Peaks.   “I said to the boys before the start that there wasn’t the pressure there has been in some of the other games. A lot of people didn’t expect us...

AFC Rushden & Diamonds turn their focus to the FA Trophy as they travel to Matlock Town on Saturday (30th) for their Third Qualifying Round tie.   Diamonds face their third consecutive away tie in cup competitions this season after trips to Coalville Town and Peterborough Sports in the FA Cup and Southern League Challenge Cup respectively.   Andy Peaks is informed of the threats that the Northern Premier League leaders will pose and believes that the recent win over Stratford will boost confidence going into this tie.   “It’s a tough, tough game,” admitted Peaks.   “We’ve got a good report on them, I’ve had them watched twice and we know they’re going to be a good team.”   “We know it will be really tough but the three points today [versus Stratford] will give everyone a bit of confidence, hopefully galvanise everyone and we go there to go and have a real go”.    Keep the Opposition Guessing   Over the years, Andy Peaks’ sides have become syno...

  AFC Rushden & Diamonds returned to winning ways with an important victory at Stratford Town on Tuesday (26th).   Ravi Shamsi’s curling free-kick separated the sides in the first half with Joseph Magunda equalising for the hosts but Ryan Hughes scored with his second-half header to seal a Diamonds win.   “I fancied us if I’m being honest,” Peaks beamed.   “As much as they’re [Stratford] at home, the pressure is always on you at home against teams that you like to beat or expect to beat.”   “These are in a good vein of form themselves, they’ve done well in the FA Cup and I thought it was a good opportunity for us to come away from home and really express ourselves - I thought everybody in the squad was superb tonight”.   There was one one change made to the side which drew with Biggleswade Town at the weekend as Tom Lorraine replaced the injured Ben Diamond.   The Rushden manager revealed the extend of Diamond’s injury but i...

  AFC Rushden & Diamonds are back on the road this Tuesday (26th) as they head to Stratford Town in the Southern League Premier Central.   The Diamonds are enduring a difficult run of form having gone seven games without a win but a change of scenery could represent a fresh opportunity.   Andy Peaks understands that the pressure is mounting on his side but insists that they should be looking forward to their challenge in Stratford.   “I’ve got a couple of reports on them [Stratford],” said Peaks.   “Stratford is a different challenge. We’ll go there, perhaps not quite as fancied but it might be a completely different game [to Biggleswade] and we might go and get a result there.”   “We’ll look at a strategy where I feel we can hurt them and it won’t just be going long and direct all the time.”   A Change in Style?   Rushden picked up their second league clean sheet of the season against Biggleswade Town and have only conceded five goals in thei...