Diamonds made it a 4th 2-0 win on the trot with this hard fought victory against Aylesbury United in Chesham on Wednesday night.
The 20th placed home side under caretaker management after 9 year manager Glyn Creaser left the club at the weekend made Diamonds work really hard for the points especially after being reduced to 10 men after 23 minutes.
The Ducks had edged the opening stages with some great wing play threatening the Diamonds back four but as Diamonds began to get into the game the home side were reduce to 10 men. A poor back pass from half-way was pounced on by Ben Farrell and his attempt to lob the onrushing home keeper Jack Sillitoe was handballed 10 yards outside the box. The referee had no choice but to issue a red card and an outfield player Greg Williams had to go in goal as the Ducks did not have a reserve keeper on the bench.
Diamonds took the lead just 5 minutes later as in-form Tom Lorraine seized on a great Ben Farrell through ball to gleefully smash past the Williams. Despite dominating possession as you’d expect against 10 men Diamonds struggled to create much in the way of chances. Their recent fluid play deserting them against an understandably packed defence. Ryan Robbins had two half-chances well saved by the sub keeper and United had a decent chance on the break well saved by Ben Heath.
Half-time: Aylesbury United 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1
The second half continued as the first with Diamonds pressing the 10 men back without creating masses of chances and United hitting occasionally on the break. Tom Lorraine headed a corner over and Ben Farrell whipped two dangerous efforts just wide, while Jack Westbrook who started the game made an important challenge to prevent a United shot on goal.
After Tom Lorraine headed another Joel Gyasi corner just over the Ducks were reduced to 9 men on 71 minutes. A second yellow card was issued to Jack Wood for a scything challenge to end any chance of the home side getting anything from the game. Greg Williams made a series of incredible saves including a Gyasi free-kick and double save to deny Robbins and Farrell. Gyasi, Farrell and subs Ben Ford and Darryl Smith all had chances to clinch the points but were denied by the hard working home defence. Finally it was Tom Lorraine who made it 2 with an edge of the area effort that finally beat Williams.
Full-Time: Aylesbury United 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2
Diamonds go 3 points clear at the top of the league after a 6th straight win, 5th straight clean sheet and 4th straight 2-0 score line. Next up the second part of the Aylesbury double with trip to Aylesbury FC on Saturday.
Man of the Match: Tom Lorraine
Attendance: 141
Match Report by Paul Judd
Aylesbury United | AFC Rushden & Diamonds |
1. Jack Sillitoe 2. Gavin Hinds-Cadette 3. Jake Bewley 4. Jack Wood (C) 5. Shane Wood 6. Ollie Stanbridge 7. Ollie Hogg 8. Greg Williams 9. Tre Mitford 10. Sonny French 11. Connor Furlong Subs: 12. Lee Coulter 14. Ben Seaton (for Hogg 76) 15. Aaron Couch (for Furlong 76) 16. Bruno Brito (for Mitford 76)
| 13. Ben Heath 2. Blaize Punter 3. Sam Brown 4. Jack Westbrook 5. Liam Dolman (C) 6. Ben Farrell 7. Joel Gyasi 8. Joe Curtis 9. Tom Lorraine 10. Ryan Robbins 11. Luke Fairlamb Subs: 12. Callum Westwood (for Fairlamb 93) 14. Darryl Smith (for Robbins 82) 16. Ben Ford (for Ford 85) 17. Kyle Swailes |
Goals: | Goals: Lorraine (29, 92) |
Yellow Card: Hogg, Jack Wood, Stanbridge, French | Yellow Cards: Farrell |
Red Cards: Sillitoe, Jack Wood | Red Cards: |
Referee: George Warren Assistants: Matthew Fletcher, Connor Smith |
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