Diamonds make the short trip to good friends Kempston Rovers for more pre-season friendly action on Saturday afternoon.
The game will be the first to welcome fans back to see the action live since lockdown so Andy Peaks will be as keen as ever for his team to put on a good show against regularly competitive opposition. Details for admission to the game and future games at Hayden Road can be found here
https://www.afcdiamonds.com/pre-season-fixture-updates/
Please note that Kempston will operate a first come first serve operation at the turnstiles with a maximum of 200 spectators allowed. Look out for an update from Kempston on prices and admission arrangements.
Diamonds have been in free scoring form in their first two PSF games against United Counties League opposition with 12 goals scored by 7 different scorers. The opening game played at Moulton College saw a 4-0 victory over Desborough Town with Liam Dolman, Chris Wreh, Will Jones and Tom Lorraine scoring. The game against Wellingborough Whitworth saw the home side score first, and come within a goal at 3-2 early in the second half in a competitive game but 4 goals in the final 15 minutes including a hat-trick for Will Jones saw Diamonds run out 8-2 winners – a la Bayern Munich against Barcelona!
Most players played 45 minutes per game, 60 maximum with multiple substitutions at half-time and some good trialist performances. Will Jones has grabbed his chance to impress with 4 goals including that 14 minute second half hat-trick against Whitworth. His all round play has been as impressive as his goals and he looks to be one to challenge the first team strikers this season. Chris Wreh has returned to the club looking a really good all round forward and has scored twice, Ben Acquaye has looked very lively and also notched twice, Tom Lorraine, Liam Dolman and new signing from Northampton Town Ryan Hughes have also scored and it was good to see Ben Farrell converting a penalty against Whitworth.
Saturday’s opponents from Southern League Central will be a much sterner test. The two sides have been in the same league twice with the first encounters in Diamonds UCL Prem promotion season 2013/14. Diamonds won both games with Brad Harris incredibly scoring both goals in the game here at Kempston. The second encounters were also in a promotion season with a win and a draw for Diamonds in Southern League One East in 2017/2018. Ryan Robbins grabbed a Boxing Day hat-trick at Hayden Road to make it 8 wins on the trot at the time.
Radio Diamonds had over 100 unique listeners for the Whitworth game showing the incredible following this club has. We will go again on Saturday but it will be fantastic to be broadcasting alongside fans in the ground for the first time since March. If you are going to the game (how good does that sound) please observe the guidelines and instructions for everyone’s safety and to ensure fan attended matches can continue.
Next up for Diamonds will be home games against King’s Lynn Town (Tuesday 25th) and Bedford Town (Friday 28th). Please note tickets must be purchased in advance to manage numbers (300 maximum) and enable track and trace information. There will be changes around the ground to facilitate social distancing so please familiarise yourself with the details, bear with the officials on the day, but above all enjoy seeing live action at long last.
Paul Judd Radio Diamonds
