AFC Rushden & Diamonds 7 – Wellingborough Town – 0

AFC Rushden & Diamonds moved to within a point of the UCL Prem title with a resounding 7-0 victory over ground share partners Wellingborough Town on Saturday afternoon.

After a bright start by the Doughboys which saw ex Diamond Jake Newman go close in the 3rd minute Diamonds pretty much dominated and were 4-0 ahead by half-time. Jack Ashton opened the scoring on 14 heading home a Declan Rogers corner. Man of the Match Scott Joseph added the second with a leisurely lob from the edge of the box on 22. Tom Lorraine smashed in from 8 yards on the volley on 26, and Joseph added the 4th on 36 with another cool finish when one on one with the keeper. The second half was much the same with Diamonds creating plenty of chances but the 5th goal came from the penalty spot. Joseph was brought down in the box and after declining the offer of a hat-trick chance usual penalty taker Matt Gearing fired home. Centre-half Liam Dolman then added a brace in identical fashion on 67 and 79 heading home deep Matt Gearing corners to complete the scoring. 

Manager Andy Peaks picked an unchanged side for the ground share derby with in form Scott Joseph retaining his place up front alongside Tommy Berwick and Tom Lorraine in centre-midfield alongside Richard Bunting in the absence of Adam Confue and Brad Harris.

In a bright opening 5 minutes by both sides Tommy Berwick got clear in the penalty area and had a shot blocked by Wellingborough keeper Bellairs a scene that would be repeated a number of times much to Berwick’s frustration, and former Diamonds Jake Newman fired over from 15 yards after turning well on the edge of the box.

But Diamonds soon began to dominate possession and were looking dangerous every time they went forward. Tommy Berwick had the ball taken off his boot as he surged into the penalty area on 7 minutes and Jack Ashton put a header from Matt Gearing corner just wide.

And it was the same player who opened the scoring on 14 minutes heading in from a Declan Rogers corner this time via a deflection. It was the first of 3 goals in 12 minutes which effectively won the game for Diamonds.

After Tom Lorraine had two close efforts it was Scott Joseph who got Diamonds second. Latching onto a bouncing through ball he leisurely lobbed keeper Bellairs from the edge of the box on 22. The third came on 26 Liam Dolman heading Matt Gearings corner onto the post and Tom Lorraine smashing the ball home on the volley from 8 yards.

It was all Diamonds at this stage as Wellingborough struggled to retain possession and were constantly stretched by a mobile Diamonds side.

Scott Joseph was a real threat all afternoon constantly running across and behind the Wellingborough back four and he got the Diamonds 4^th on 36. After Tommy Berwick forced Joe Rich into a covering tackle on the edge of the penalty area Joseph was there to pick up the loose ball and coolly slot home past Bellairs.

Half-time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4 – Wellingborough T0wn – 0

The second half followed a similar pattern with the whole Diamonds side enjoying raiding forward at every opportunity. Sam Brown was prominent and made a strikers run through the middle on 50 minutes to get to another bouncing through ball his lob just blocked by Bellairs.

Tommy Berwick then had the first of a number of efforts from inside the area in the second half chipping just wide a minute later, and then Scott Joseph’s lob also went wide.

The 5^th goal finally came on 60 minutes from the penalty spot after Scott Joseph was pulled down in the area as he tried to pull away from his marker. He was offered the chance for a hat-trick but declined allowing the reliable Matt Gearing to fire home down the middle for his 6^th penalty of the season.

After Tommy Berwick was denied again by a fingertip save by Bellairs Diamonds added a 6^th goal on 67. Liam Dolman heading firmly home from a deep Matt Gearing corner.

We then had a long injury brake after Joe Rich fell awkwardly as he was trying to stop Tommy Berwick close in on goal. The stretcher was called for but after lengthy treatment he was able to hobble off.

To add to his misery Diamonds added a 7^th goal from the resultant corner.  Liam Dolman with a carbon copy of his earlier effort heading home at the far post for his 13^th of the season, taking him past Russ Dunkley total for the season.

He even had chance to try a Charlie Austin effort for his hat-trick from the half way line after quick thinking when Diamonds were awarded a free-kick. Bellairs rapidly back pedalling held the ball just under the cross-bar.

Diamonds saw out the game comfortably in the spring sunshine with Sam Donohoe getting game time in midfield. Wellingborough kept working for their manager in his last game in charge and their last game of the season having a little more possession but were unable to make any real impact on the excellent Diamonds defence who secured another clean sheet.

Final Score: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 7 – Wellingborough Town – 0

It was one of the best displays of the season by promoted Diamonds who will have pleased manager Andy Peaks with their quick passing and strong movement that had their derby opponents at full stretch all afternoon. They had end product too and Scott Joseph is really finishing the season in fine form.

Wisbech won well at Newport Pagnell meaning the title race goes on, but a single point is all Diamonds now need to become champions and they will look for it and more at Northampton Sileby on Tuesday night

Man of the Match awarded by Match Sponsor Hart Family Brewers: Scott Joseph

Attendance: 899

Match Report by Paul Judd

Updated player profiles with appearance and goalscoring details are now available.

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