MATCH PREVIEW: Stratford Town (A) | Southern League Premier Central

 


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 their last five matches (the joint second best in the division in that time) but they have failed to win any of their last six league games which would suggest goalscoring has been a struggle.

 

And so it has proved. Diamonds have scored only 12 league goals this campaign – a tally only worsened by Bromsgrove Sporting and Hitchin Town.

 

Andy Peaks recently experimented with Ben Diamond as a central striker in an attempt to rectify this issue and was satisfied with the way his team manoeuvred up the pitch. Their change of approach offered a new dynamic in comparison to their traditional direct style as they looked to bring the ball down and play through the thirds.

 

There are plenty of resources in the team to develop a functioning possession-based side. In the forward areas, Ravi Shamsi and Connor Furlong have threatened opposition defences with their trickery and deeper in midfield Diamonds can call upon technically astute footballers such as Fernando Bell-Toxtle, Jesse Akubuine and Matthew Slinn.

 

As has seemed to be the case for the majority of the season, Diamonds need to strike the correct the balance between defensive solidity and attacking potency. If they can find the formula, they will threaten any opponent in the division – regardless of their league position.

 

Last five: DDLLD

 

How Are Stratford Town Getting On?

 

Stratford Town have fluctuated in form this season but sit just inside the top half of the table with a healthy return of 15 points from ten matches.

 

Their home form in particular has been very strong recording 9 points from a possible 12 at the Arden Garages Stadium with their only home defeat coming against league leaders Peterborough Sports.

 

The Warwickshire side have recently ventured their way into the First Round of the FA Cup and are subsequently playing catch-up to the rest of the league. The Bards will meet League One side Shrewsbury Town in a home tie which will be broadcast live on ITV4.

 

Last five: LLDWW

 

Previous Meetings

 

There have been four league meetings between these sides with the home team interestingly emerging victorious from every encounter.

 

Stratford have won both matches at Knights Lane with James Fry’s goal separating the sides with a 1-0 win in 2018/19 and ex-Diamonds striker Chris Wreh inspiring the Bards to a 3-1 success in 2019/20.

 

In contrast, AFC R&D have come out on top in both meetings at Hayden Road. Liam Dolman and Sam Johnson scored in a 2-0 win in 2018/19 and there was also a 4-2 win in 2019/20 thanks to goals from Jesse Akubuine, Ben Acquaye, Liam Dolman and Ben Farrell.

 

Where is the Match Taking Place?

 

Stratford Town will host AFC Rushden & Diamonds at the Arden Garages Stadium. Diamonds will travel westwards along the M6 before turning onto and following down the A46 to arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

Tickets are available to purchase on the turnstiles.

 

Arden Garages Stadium

Knights Lane

Tiddington

Stratford-upon-Avon

Warwickshire

CV37 7BZ

 

How Can I Follow the Match?

 

If you are unable to make the journey to Stratford, I will be there with Radio Diamonds bringing you live commentary as the action unfolds.

 

Be sure to watch the post-match interviews on AFCRDTV and have a read of the match report on the official club website.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

Image
  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,...
Read more

MATCH PREVIEW: Hednesford Town (A) | Southern League Premier Central

Image
  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...
Read more

MATCH PREVIEW: Hitchin Town (H) | Southern League Premier Central

Image
  AFC Rushden & Diamonds turn their attention back to league action this Saturday (25th) as they take on Hitchin Town in a bid to climb the Southern League Premier Central table. The Diamonds return to Hayden Road after almost a month on the road and Andy Peaks will be looking for his side to replicate their good away form in front of their own supporters. "I've had Hitchin watched a few times, to be honest, so I know quite a lot about them", said Peaks. "I think the team will change from time to time, they had a couple of departures and some others coming in. They play a good brand of football, we'll train tomorrow night, after tonight [Wednesday] with a game plan ready for Saturday but I'm expecting it to be a tough game". An opportunity to break into the top half? There can be no doubt that Rushden, on paper, were handed a tricky start to the campaign and so it proved with three defeats in their opening four league matches and an FA Cup exit. Howe...
Read more