AFC Rushden & Diamonds 5 Desborough Town 0

Diamonds shine brightly in convincing victory over `Ar tarn`!

Two goals apiece from Jason Turner and Russell Dunkley and a late goal from substitute Tom Lorraine extended the Diamonds winning run in the league to five consecutive matches, as they beat local rivals Desborough Town by a comprehensive 5-0 at the Dog &Duck on Tuesday evening. Third placed Diamonds have scored a remarkable twenty goals in those five matches with only three conceded an average of four goals a game!

Diamonds struggled to make their greater possession count in the first half, a Jason Turner converted penalty just three minutes before the break on 42 minutes their only reward, but in the second half Diamonds dominated, scoring a further four goals without reply. Jason Turner added to his tally with a diving header on 51 minutes and Russell Dunkley, back to his best in the air, scored two excellent headed strikes within the space of three minutes on 59 and 62 minutes, giving him a well-deserved sponsors’ Man of the Match award. Substitute Tom Lorraine concluded the scoring with a powerful header which came off the underside of the crossbar on 89 minutes. Full back Joe Merrill was substituted after just twenty minutes and was taken to hospital as a precaution after an untidy collision, Diamonds down to ten men for five minutes until Brad Harris replaced a clearly distressed Merrill. Reports after the match suggest Joe had suffered a severe bang on the chest but was doing fine, only time will tell whether he will be fit for Saturday.

Manager Andy Peaks made three changes from the side which had beaten Oadby Town by 3-0 on Saturday replacing Tom Lorraine with Russell Dunkley, Richard Bunting on for Brad Harris and Sam Brown for Jack Ashton who joined Matt Gearing and keeper Quincy Shorunmu on a strong bench.

Diamonds started brightly, a terrific run to the by-line by Elliott Lamb-Johnson saw his back pass blocked for a corner from which Lamb–Johnson provided the cross for Russell Dunkley to power in a header towards goal which was cleared off the line on 5 minutes. A fantastic long ball across field from Liam Dolman went straight to the feet of Fazel Koriya who tapped the ball back for Sam Brown, who forced a corner to provide Diamonds with their next clear sight on goal. From the resulting Lamb-Johnson corner the ball fell to captain Arron Parkinson who got in a half volley which was saved low to the ground by Desborough keeper Richard Lavin on 10 minutes.

Desborough had their first effort on goal on 12 minutes, when a good break down the left had side resulted in Michael Byrne putting his shot into the arms of keeper Matt Finlay. Jason Turner raised Diamond hopes when running at goal behind defender Aidan Bradshaw but the Desborough full back was alert to the danger and put the ball away for a corner from which keeper Richard Lavin came out comfortably to collect the ball and avert the danger.

Diamonds were on top having much of the possession but Desborough always looked dangerous on the break but the Diamonds back four led by Arron Parkinson and Liam Dolman were quick to squash any dangerous forays forward. A period of sustained Diamonds pressure ended with Adam Confue slamming a shot narrowly wide of the keeper’s left hand post then Arron Parkinson hit a stray pass across field which allowed Luke Cummins a shot at goal which fortunately was hit straight at Matt Finlay on 25 minutes.

On 27 minutes another wonderful run and superb cross from Lamb-Johnson out on the right found Russell Dunkley whose goal-bound header was acrobatically tipped over his crossbar by keeper Richard Lavin. Desborough midfielder Mark Forbes avoided a card after he appeared to have taken the feet of Fazel Koriya from under him but the referee was unimpressed.

The Desborough keeper was called into action on 36 minutes with Russell Dunkley forcing another save from 20 yards, the keeper dropping the ball from the shot but gathering at the second attempt. Arron Parkinson gave the ball away to striker Luke Cummins on 38 minutes but the Desborough striker could only put his well hit shot wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

The game was being played at a fast pace with Desborough thwarting all attempts by Diamonds to break the deadlock. On 38 minutes some neat close passing between Adam Confue and Russell Dunkley in the penalty area looked promising but neither was able to turn and put in a shot before the ball was cleared.

The first goal resulted from a stray ball sliced towards his own goal from a Desborough player which was seized upon by Fazel Koriya who immediately went on a run towards goal only to have his heels clipped as he side stepped full back Aidan Bradshaw in the penalty area. Jason Turner made no mistake with the penalty on 42 minutes sending keeper Richard Lavin the wrong way to send Diamonds in at half time with a narrow one goal lead.

Half-time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1 – Desborough Town 0

On 47 minutes a free kick from Richard Bunting was stroked sideways for Liam Dolman to hit a shot high over the cross bar but it was on 51 minutes that Diamonds extended their lead. A superb right hand cross from Lamb-Johnson found Jason Turner whose flying leap sent the ball screaming past the Desborough keeper and settle any possible Diamond nerves of a Desborough equaliser.

Diamonds were now in the ascendancy full back Sam Brown collected the ball thirty yards out and hit a rasping shot which was deflected by Aaron Davies high over the bar for a corner as Diamonds began to take control of the match.

Diamonds went three goals ahead on 59 minutes from another Lamb-Johnson assist as he hit a powerful free kick across to the far post where Russell Dunkley comfortably volleyed in from close range. Diamonds increased their lead on 62 minutes this time Jason Turner providing the cross from the right for Russell Dunkley to head home at the far post, the keeper almost keeping it out but the header was just too strong to hold.

Diamonds keeper Matt Finlay had a very quiet match having no real saves to make in the second half as Diamonds got stronger as the game went on and the rain began to fall! Matt Gearing replaced Fazel Koriya on 71 minutes and Richard Bunting was given a yellow card for arguing on 74 minutes.

Tom Lorraine came on for Russell Dunkley on 79 minutes as the Diamonds supporters made their appreciation known by rapturous applause as Dunkley left the field.

Diamonds sealed their victory on 89 minutes with another assist from the excellent Elliott Lamb-Johnson whose right wing corner was met by the onrushing Tom Lorraine whose powerful header came down off the crossbar giving keeper Richard Lavin no chance of saving.

Final Score: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 5 Desborough Town 0

Two goals in four second half minutes from Man of the Match Russell Dunkley ensured the game was won by Diamonds despite a low key first half performance. Diamonds dominated throughout the second period, scoring four goals adding to the fifteen scored in the previous four league matches. Strong performances form the back four prevented Desborough getting into the match during the first half and a somewhat fortunate set of events led to the first goal a penalty converted by Jason Turner. It was up front where Diamonds shone brightly, strikers Russell Dunkley, Jason Turner and Tom Lorraine putting away some excellent strikes which bodes well for the rest of the season. Praise must be given to the exceptional performance of winger Elliott Lamb-Johnson providing three important assists and providing a constant threat throughout.

Diamonds are back at the Dog & Duck on Saturday for the visit of Thurnby Nirvana.

Attendance: 325

Man of the Match (courtesy of match sponsors St James Leather Gifts) Russell Dunkley

Match Report By: Jim Davis