Down at the Diamonds

  AFC Rushden & Diamonds are back in action after a weekend off as they make the long trip to Leiston on Tuesday (16 th ).   Rushden are beginning to develop some momentum and have rediscovered the rhythm after impressive wins over Hednesford Town and Kettering Town.   Diamonds midfielder Fernando Bell-Toxtle has been in a rich vein of form since his return to the team and believes that his side should go to Leiston in a good frame of mind.   “Over the last four or five games we’ve played really well,” said Fernando.   “We won’t go there fearing them [Leiston]. We know they’re doing well in the league but we’ll go there with confidence. We went there with confidence last year and picked up a good result and I’m sure we can go there and definitely get a result.”   A Corner Has Been Turned?   Diamonds have rebuilt their confidence after some important victories over Stratford, Hednesford and Kettering . Despite falling to defe...

  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...