Diamonds return to Hayden Road for a Southern League match up against Redditch United after a three game away run that produced 2 excellent wins at Stratford and Hednesford but defeat at Leiston on Tuesday night.
Redditch also lost on Tuesday night at St. Ives after earning an excellent draw at Lowestoft in the previous game. They sit in 19th in a very congested bottom 9 in the table separated by just 2 points.
Redditch United FC
Founded in 1891 as Redditch they played in Birmingham leagues before becoming Redditch United in 1971 and joining the Southern League. They were founder members of the Alliance Premier League and have also played in the Conference North and were beaten in a Southern League Premier play-off final by Leamington in 2016. They reached the FA Cup 1st Round Proper in 1989 going down 3-1 to Merthyr Tydfil.
Previous Encounters
There have been plenty of goals in games between the sides particularly for Diamonds who are unbeaten. The tone was set in the first encounter which was Diamonds first game at Step 3. Diamonds raced into a 2-0 lead in 6 minutes in front of an excited Hayden Road thanks to Jack Bowen and Ben Farrell and ran out 5-2 winners with Ben Diamond (2) and Tom Lorraine grabbing the other goals. The game at Redditch ended 2-2 with a late Ben Diamond equaliser.
In the first aborted season of 2019/2020 the away game was a 1-1 draw thanks to Ryan Dove with the home game won 3-0 thanks to Tom Lorraine, Liam Dolman and Nabil Shariff.
Current Form
Redditch are on a disappointing run of no wins in 9 after winning 3 of the first 6 which had seen them as high as 6th in the table. Defeat at St. Ives on Tuesday night broke a run of 4 consecutive away draws at Rushall, Needham Market, Hednesford, and Lowestoft showing they are competitive on the road.
After just 2 points from 4 home games in October Diamonds have earned 6 points in 3 away games to push themselves clear of the bottom 9 sides in the league separated by just 2 points. Diamonds have 19 points from 16 games which sees them in 11th.
The Game
There are usually goals in games between these sides with Diamonds notching 8 in two home games. Redditch have a recent away record of 4 draws in the last 5 so the signs are this is going to be a competitive fixture.
Radio Diamonds will be in action of course with in match Twitter updates also bringing you all the action. You’ll also have your usual match report and interviews after the game from your AFC Rushden & Diamonds media team.
Enjoy the game.
Paul Judd
Radio Diamonds
