AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3 Deeping Rangers 0

AFC Rushden & Diamonds progressed to the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Deeping Rangers at Hayden Road on Tuesday evening. A brace from Tom Lorraine bracketed a goal from Callum Westwood to give Diamonds the win.

A close fought 1-1 draw in Market Deeping had set up this Preliminary round replay played in front of a healthy Tuesday night crowd of 396. Diamonds dominated possession in the early stages against their hard working UCL opponents without creating too many chances but after one goal mouth scramble was eventually cleared on the quarter hour mark they broke the deadlock to go ahead in the tie for the first time. On 17 minutes Joel Gyasi worked his way through two challenges down the left and crossed low to Tom Lorraine to slot home from close range.

Callum Westwood was prominent for Diamonds in the following period just failing to find Tom Lorraine with a great cross on 21 minutes and firing a 30th minute free-kick just wide. Deeping came in to the game well in the last 15 minutes of a competitive half with Scott Mooney forcing a great save from in form Ben Heath, and David Barton-Jones seeing his header from a whipped in free kick find the back of the net only to be ruled out for offside. There was time for another great Ben Heath save as Scott Mooney again forced him to palm a rising effort wide.

Half-Time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1 Deeping Rangers 0

Diamonds were out off the blocks quickly in the second half looking to put the game to bed as early as possible and they duly doubled their lead just 5 minutes in. Callum Westwood collected the ball 30 yards out and fired hard and low into the bottom corner to the delight of himself and the home faithful. Deeping nearly seized on a rare defensive error before Blaze Punter’s timely interception around the hour mark but otherwise struggled to make an impact on the strong Diamonds defence.

After Jon Dean and Ben Diamond were introduced on 69 minutes it was Diamond who had the home sides next close effort very soon after coming on. His low shot hitting the inside of the post and rolling along the line and away. Joel Gyasi came close with another low effort and Callum Westwood tested the away keeper with another tremendous cross.

The killer third goal finally came on 81 minutes with sub John Dean prominent. He danced around a challenge out wide, cutting inside and striking a low effort that was parried by the away keeper but only fell to Tom Lorraine for another close range tap-in.

Full-time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3 Deeping Rangers 0

This was a strong and much improved performance by Diamonds against a Deeping side who had pushed them all the way in the first game. Tom Lorraine bagged a second brace in two games with two close range tap-ins that were earned by his energetic leading of the line and tremendous supporting runs. Callum Westwood enjoyed his 30 yard strike which caps an impressive start to the season.

The next round on Saturday sees Diamonds travel to Hayes & Yeading for a mouth watering tie after some impressive contests between the sides last season Hayes winning them both.

Reporters Man of the Match: Callum Westwood

Attendance: 396

Match Report: Paul Judd

Diamonds now travel to face Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday – preview here.