AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2 – Peterborough Northern Star 0

AFC Rushden & Diamonds scored twice in the last 20 minutes to clinch a vital 2-0 win against hard working Peterborough Northern Star in the UCL Prem on Saturday afternoon.

Diamonds dominated chances if not possession in a disappointing goalless first half. Declan Rogers fired over in just the second minute, Jack Ashton had a header cleared off the line and Tommy Berwick somehow failed to convert from 4 yards. The second half was going the same way until an increased intensity around the hour mark saw two good chances for Berwick one crashing back off the post, before the breakthrough on 71 minutes. Russ Dunkley turned home a free-kick fired through a crowd of players from 4 yards before Tom Lorraine clinched the result on 82 with a fierce low shot from a narrow angle.

Manager Andy Peaks made 2 changes to his starting eleven with 100 appearance man Matt Gearing coming in for Elliott Lamb-Johnson and Adam Confue returning after his one game suspension in place of Charlie Butt who dropped to the bench. Brad Harris played at right back in his 99^th game.

Diamonds nearly made a flying start with Declan Rogers jinking into the box on 2 minutes and firing just over the bar from 15 yards with everyone expecting to see the net bulge.

They certainly dominated the early stages and Jack Ashton came very close to opening the scoring on 9 minutes stooping to head a Sam Brown long throw past ex Diamond PNS keeper Alex Pycock only to see it cleared off the line.

Possession was much more even though with Diamonds in particular struggling to keep momentum in their play as passes were misplaced or under hit on a stodgy surface. PNS who had only been beaten once on their travels winning 8 times including 4-0 at Holbeach, were bright and confident in possession. They looked good up to the final third but found the Diamonds defence in good aggressive form and were unable to fashion much in the way of real chances.

They worked some good shooting positions though and made Diamonds keeper Matt Finlay work a number of times, including a diving save from a great free-kick that he tipped wide at full stretch.

Tommy Berwick was making his home debut and looking for that elusive first goal for the club and came close on 20 minutes as Pycock knocked the ball off his boot as he was about to finish after Russ Dunkley’s knock-down.

He then had surely his best chance of that first goal after an excellent deep cross from Sam Brown was nodded into his path by Russ Dunkley but he blazed over from 4 yards.

The first half finished in controversial fashion as Jack Marsden, already on a yellow card put in a late scything challenge on Declan Rogers which surely would have merited a yellow in any other circumstances. Referee Wayne Bright chose a very long lecture and declined to show the yellow card for what was arguably a more punishable offence then Marsden’s first.

There was still time for another blow for Diamonds though with Richard Bunting picking up a knock which he couldn’t recover from forcing Manager Andy Peaks into a change bringing on Charlie Butt at right back and pushing Brad Harris into centre midfield.

Half-time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 0 Peterborough Northern Star 0

The second half followed a similar uneven pattern to the first with both sides struggling to maintain momentum and lift the intensity of their play.

PNS had a good share of possession though and threatened first through a Marsden header from a corner that was just over, and then a deep ball into the box went through Matt Finlay’s hands under pressure, glanced off Nick Davey but just bounced wide.

The first goal was always going to be vital and Diamonds did up the intensity around the hour mark and created a number of chances. Russ Dunkley flicked on a long ball on 60 into the path of Adam Confue who collected the ball well at pace but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked for a corner.

Tommy Berwick then had a double chance on 63 when he superbly turned his man and surged into the box and fired a great shot past keeper Pycock only to see it bounce off the post and along the goal line. He got to the loose ball and tried to side foot home but Pycock brilliantly recovered to smother his effort.

Just a minute later Berwick got free on the left hand side of the box this time but fired over from 12 yards when well placed. Matt Gearing then got in on the action chasing down a lost cause and looping in a cross that beat Pycock and went just wide.

The breakthrough this period of play had threatened finally came on 71 minutes. A free-kick from near the corner flag was fired in low through a number of bodies allowing Russ Dunkley to turn the ball home from 4 yards in front of a relieved and delighted Peter de Banke Terrace.

PNS attacks were sporadic at this stage, but substitute and top scorer Avelino Viera really should have equalised when heading over from 3 yards out on 74.

Russ Dunkley then picked up a knock and was substituted by Jason Turner and Tom Lorraine replaced the hard working but unfortunate Tommy Berwick.

On 79 minutes Liam Dolman had the ball in the net but his challenge on keeper Pycock was ruled a foul and the potentially clinching goal was disallowed. It did come though just 3 minutes later as the impressive Tom Lorraine got clear on the left hand side of the box and from a tight angle fired past Pycock into the far corner for his 14^th goal of the season.

Final Score: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2 Peterborough Northern Star 0

A late show from Diamonds saw them clinch the vital 3 points to send them 10 clear at the top of the UCL Prem. It was an uneven performance against a good PNS side with a fabulous away record. An increase in intensity from around the hour mark pushed PNS back and the crucial goals came. Injuries to Richard Bunting and Russ Dunkley will be a worry and Tommy Berwick is still seeking that first goal, but the quality off the bench in Charlie Butt and Tom Lorraine showed the depth of Andy Peaks squad.

Diamonds face three away games on the trot now starting at Desborough next Saturday.

Man of the Match chosen by Match Sponsor Chas Rust: Liam Dolman

Attendance: 466

Match Report by Paul Judd

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