Peterborough Northern Star 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4

AFC Rushden and Diamonds prevailed over one of last season’s bogey teams Peterborough Northern Star, with Diamonds running out 4-1 winners at Chestnut Avenue. The visitors took an early lead through Fazel Koriya, before Jason Kilbride equalised from a free kick. Diamonds were forced to continue with 10 men after Jack Ashton was shown a straight red card just before half time. Diamonds then scored two quick fire goals after the break with Matt Gearing making it 2-1 with a penalty, and Adam Confue adding the third. With the rain falling, Jason Turner made the score 4-1 before the ref brought the game to a close.

A revised team started for the Diamonds, the usual Matt Finlay in goal, with a back four of Joe Henderson at right back, Liam Dolman and Arron Parkinson in the middle and Jack Ashton on the left. A different midfield started the game, with Greg Ling and Matt Gearing on the wings, with Adam Confue being the midfield schemer in the middle alongside Brad Harris. Russ Dunkley and Fazel Koriya continuing to start up front.

The game kicked off, and with a composed start, both teams keeping possession and testing the opposition. It was the Star who had the first opportunity on 8 minutes, a cross by Davies onto the head of Hemmings whose header was touched onto the bar by Finlay.

Diamonds took the lead after 11 minutes, a Greg Ling shot deflected high into the air by a defender, which dropped right under the bar, spilled by the Peterborough ‘keeper, who dropped it right at the feet of Fazel Koriya who was about half a yard from the goal, to poke it in and put Diamonds 1-0 up.

After a barren spell, PNS equalised, Dolman fouled Vieira 25 yards from goal, and it was Jason Kilbride who stepped up and placed the ball over the wall perfectly into the bottom left corner of the goal to make the score 1-1.

Peterborough continued the pressure, and on 31 minutes had another chance, a free-kick after a foul by Henderson was hit straight at Finlay who right on the line bashed the ball away.

Diamonds lost a player after 40 minutes, Jack Ashton dismissed for a lunging and reckless challenge on Davies, Ashton forced into a challenge after a hospital ball back to him.

Half-Time: Peterborough Northern Star 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1

Straight after the break, on 48 minutes, after some strong Diamonds possession in and around the box, led to a foul on Adam Confuse after some good play by Dunkley, with the referee awarding a penalty. It was Matt Gearing who coolly stepped up and dispatched the ball into the net to restore the Diamonds lead, making the score 2-1.

Sam Brown made his 2014/15 debut, replacing Matt Gearing after 52 minutes.

Diamonds asserted their lead after 61 minutes, after some more good possession, a long throw in knocked on by Dunkley into the box perfectly for Adam Confue who made a storming run into the box, and from 12 yards out hammered the ball into the net to put Diamonds 3-1 up.

After more exchanging of possession, Diamonds made another change on 85 minutes, Fazel Koriya coming off with Tom Lorraine coming on to partner Russ Dunkley up front. Andy Peaks made his final change after 88 minutes, with the fantastic Russ Dunkley replaced by Jason Turner.

With some desperate Diamonds defending and blocking of multiple Peterborough shots, Diamonds went on to clinch the victory after 92 minutes, Jason Turner getting on the end of a Lorraine flick on and turning and twisting around Peterborough defenders before calmly putting the ball into the back of the net past the Star keeper, to seal the win at 4-1.

With the rain falling, the referee called time on an exciting game.

Full-Time: Peterborough Northern Star 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4

Diamonds Man of the Match: Adam Confue

Attendance: 246

The Diamonds have another break from league action when they host Bedford Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.