Andy Peaks reflects on entertaining draw with Rushall | AFC R&D 1-1 Rushall Olympic

 

AFC Rushden & Diamonds played out an entertaining score draw with Rushall Olympic at Hayden Road on Tuesday (12th).

 

Diamonds took the lead early as Ravi Shamsi finished off a counterattacking move but the visitors were level soon after as Rackeem Reid raced in to slot home the equaliser.

 

The game continued to open up in the second half with both sides enjoying spells of possession and creating chances but both goalkeepers were on form and prevented any further scoring.

 

Andy Peaks named an unchanged side to the team that picked up a draw at Stourbridge. There was no change in the result as Diamonds replicated a score draw against another West Midlands side.

 

Andy Peaks explained the rationale behind fielding the same side and was pleased with the performance that they delivered.

 

“I changed things on Saturday and I was pleased with that,” said Peaks.

 

“I thought they [Rushden] put a real workmanlike performance in, with a bit of quality as well, loads of resilience so no need to change it tonight.”

 

“I knew these [Rushall] would play a similar formation, I knew what to expect from them and I was confident that eleven would put another shift in.”

 

The opening minutes presented an intriguing tactical battle; Rushall edged the share of possession and spread the ball across the pitch but Diamonds pressed their opponents high up the field, looking to turn possession over and counter with pace.

 

The Diamonds boss was aware of the strengths that Rushall would bring and set up his side accordingly.

 

“I knew the sort of way that they’d [Rushall] play,” said Peaks.

 

“They’ve got a lot of good footballers, they’ve had a good start to the season, it was important that we defended well and when we got the ball that we used it and looked a threat which I thought we did from the first minute right through to the last”.

 

Diamonds opened the scoring nine minutes into the match. Ravi Shamsi initiated the counterattack and played the ball through for Tom Lorraine who squared it across goal for Shamsi to finish.

 

The Diamonds manager was delighted with the start that his side made and was keen to hail the quality of the goal.

 

“It was a great goal!” Peaks beamed.

 

“[I was] delighted with the goal - really good decision making from both of them [Lorraine and Shamsi]. Ravi got in the box, got us a goal and gave us a really good start.”

 

“The biggest disappointment over the night for me was that we didn’t hold the lead for long enough - that was a blow.”

 

Rushall were only behind for four minutes as they constructed a good move of their own to find the equaliser. A passage of play down the right wing found Alex Moore inside who delivered a piercing through ball for Rackeem Reid to finish.

 

“They play a certain which way that got the winger in inside the full back and he took it really well,” said Peaks.

 

“I thought we adjusted our shape accordingly to that and shut down good areas to stop them playing in the pockets.”

 

The second half lived up to the billing as both sides continued to push forward in an attempt to score the elusive third goal.

 

Rushden produced a catalogue of chances to add a second to the scoresheet – most notably with Alex Collard, whose header was cleared off the line, and Will Jones who saw broke through twice to be denied on both occasions.

 

Rushall weathered the storm and began to threaten with chances of their own. The Pics came closest when Callum Coyle struck the underside of the bar and Owen Parry fired wide of a gaping goal.

 

Despite numerous clear chances, time soon ran out for both sides who came away with a point apiece.

 

“It was a bit like a basketball match at times but it was certainly exciting,” said Peaks.

 

“For me it was a little bit to open if I’m being honest. I like to be harder to beat but equally it’s exciting as well. We’re creating chances, people want to see excitement and I think most people left tonight thinking it was a good game of football – two decent teams having a go.”

 

“You want to win your home games but against a team like Rushall, I think a point is a decent point. They’ve got some good players, they’re at the right end of the table and you never get an easy game against them”.