Diamonds concluded their pre-season programme on Saturday with an impressive 4-0 victory at fellow Step 3 side Bishops Stratford.
After a promising start with half-chances for Ross Oulton and Tom Lorraine new signing Dan Chilton opened the scoring on 30 minutes tapping after a defensive mix-up. Jack Bowen then leaped superbly to crash a header off the bar on 41 minutes and Ty Ward fired straight at the home keeper a minute later as Diamonds finished the half strongly.
Diamonds second goal came just 30 seconds into the second half – Ty Ward firing past the home keeper from just inside the area. Osadebe then had Bishops Stortfords best chance volleying over from close range and journeymen Jamie Cureton headed a half-chance just wide. Diamonds made the game safe on 70 minutes from another great header from Jack Bowen – this time beating the keeper to the cross to glance home. The goal of the game came just 4 minutes later as second half substitute John Dean showed great footwork to set-up a shooting chance that he fired superbly into the top corner.
Next up for Diamonds the start of Step 3 football with the visit of Redditch United in the EVO-STIK Premier Division Central.
***Full report to follow***
Attendance: 180
Match Report by Paul Judd
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Bishops Stortford |
AFC Rushden & Diamonds |
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1. Bobby Mason 2. Shabazz Omofe 3. Max Brassington 4. Eliot Ronto 5. Damian Green 6. Sam Robbins 7. Alfie Mason 8. Jack Thomas 9. Jamie Cureton 10. Chi Osadebe 11. Dalton Harris
Subs 12. Yonis Farah 21. Calum Kitscha 14. Freddie Oakman 15. Johnville Renee 16. Tom Robinson 17. Ethan Barton 18. Caleb Afoke
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13. Ben Heath 2. Nathan Hicks 3. Sam Brown 4. Blaize Punter 6. Patrick Casey 7. Ross Oulton 8. Dan Clifton 9. Tom Lorraine 10. Jack Bowen 11. Ben Diamond 14. Ty Ward
Subs 12. John Dean (for Diamond 56) 15. Chief Boateng (for Bowen 70) 16. Louis Barratt (for Barratt 77) 17. Nathan Pickworth (for Heath 77)
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Goals: |
Goals: Clifton (30), Ward (46), Bowen (70), Dean (74) |
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Yellow cards: |
Yellow cards: |
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Red cards: |
Red cards: |
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Referee: Adam Flint Assistants: Oliver Russell, Greg Williamson
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