Aylesbury FC 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4

Diamonds made it a second successive 4-0 away win at Aylesbury FC on Tuesday night with 3 goals in 26 minutes by Tom Lorraine, Ben Farrell, and Liam Dolman clinching the result with Dolman adding a 92^nd minute penalty.

An unchanged starting line-up nearly scored in the first minute with two stabs at goal in a goalmouth scramble. The opener duly came on 11 minutes as Tom Lorraine headed home Ben Diamond’s brilliant cross. Ben Farrell tapped in at the far post from Joel Gyasi’s deflected effort on 16 minutes and Liam Dolman crashed a header home at the far post from a 26^th minute corner.

The second half was more even in terms of possession but Aylesbury struggled to make inroads against Diamonds record breaking defence. Diamonds were consistently dangerous going forward with Tom Lorraine nearly breaking away, Ben Farrell striking wide at the end of a great move when well placed, and sub Jon Dean scooping over when through. They finally got that 4^th goal though in added on time as Joel Gyasi was hacked down in the area and Liam Dolman smashed home.

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Manager Andy Peaks was able to name an unchanged team for this re-arranged fixture with Ben Diamond retaining his place up front with Ryan Robbins still injured. Jon Dean, dual registered with Desborough, came onto the bench alongside Callum Westwood, Cameron Gilchrist, Chief Boateng and Ben Ford.

Diamonds were as positive from the start in this game as they had been at Fleet Town last Saturday on an equally heavy pitch. A goalmouth melee in just the first minute saw Tom Lorraine and Joel Gyasi come close to opening the scoring before Gyasi and Ben Diamond linked well to put Gyasi into a good crossing position his cross just drifting wide.

The inevitable seeming first goal soon came on 11 minutes. Ben Diamond was again instrumental flicking a long ball to himself in the corner where he timed a first time cross beautifully for Tom Lorraine to head home.

After Tom Lorraine had headed over from a Luke Fairlamb corner almost straight after that goal Diamonds doubled their lead on 16 minutes. This time Tom Lorraine was instrumental running down the left laying the ball back to Joel Gyasi whose cross looped up to the far post where Ben Farrell prodded home.

And it was three just 10 minutes later as Liam Dolman crashed a powerful far post header home from a Joel Gyasi corner.

Diamonds were totally dominant with just the odd break from Aylesbury who were neat in possession at times but closed down quickly by a hard working Diamonds midfield. The away side had the remaining chances of the half as Tom Lorraine came close to flicking home a Joel Gyasi’s cross and Ben Farrell tried to chip home a Luke Fairlamb set-up from another great run.

Half-time: Aylesbury FC 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3

Aylesbury were much more involved in the game as an attacking force in the second half but Diamonds record breaking defence were on top form. Jack Ashton and Liam Dolman worked particularly well together showing the benefit of their long term partnership.

Diamonds were still looking the more dangerous in the final third with Luke Fairlamb prominent and he broke away on 59 minutes only to be brought down by Hafid Bounyafe who received a yellow card for his troubles.

Tom Lorraine then broke away on 61 minutes only to be closed down at the last minute to prevent his cross before Ben Farrell had the best chance of the half on 65 minutes but couldn’t make the best of connections from a really good position.

Aylesbury were starting to dominate possession to some extent without too much danger but Jack Ashton received a yellow card on 67 minutes for his reaction after being penalised what seemed quite harshly for a half-way line challenge.

Diamonds made their three substitutions over the next 10 minutes with Chief Boateng, Cameron Gilchrist, and John Dean joining the fray for Ben Diamonds, Luke Fairlamb and Ben Farrell.

As Aylesbury looked to press Bounyafe shot narrowly wide from Feyi’s lay-off and Ty Deacon curled a speculative effort just wide.

Diamonds responded to that period of Aylesbury enterprise with an impressive period of closing pressure with John Dean prominent and coming close to adding a 4^th for the away side as he broke clear and just scooped his effort over the keeper and bar.

And they duly made it a second successive 4-0 away win with a 92^nd minute penalty. Joel Gyasi broke clear into the box and was scythed down for an easy penalty decision. Liam Dolman stepped up and lashed the ball home to seal the scoring and another good away win.

Full time: Aylesbury FC 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4

This was another impressive away performance for Diamonds with 4 more goals to the tally and another relatively comfortable clean sheet. Next up the visit of Uxbridge FC on Saturday.

Man of the match: Liam Dolman

Attendance: 119

Match Report by Paul Judd