After a run of three consecutive defeats, Diamonds ended their brief losing run with a valuable point on the road at Rushall Olympic. Prior to the match, The Pics were the top scoring team in the league with 26 goals but Diamonds reverted to traditions of old to keep them at bay.
Throughout the course of the match, Rushall looked to build possession and play through the thirds. Eesa Sawyers and Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham both had early efforts that flew wayward.
Having absorbed the early pressure, Diamonds transitioned quickly whenever they overturned possession. Ben Acquaye proved to be a handful for the hosts to contain as did Morgan Roberts whose shot flashed across the face of goal in the 8th minute.
Diamonds began to threaten with their catalogue of set-piece routines and as a result broke the deadlock in this manner. Matthew Slinn’s corner found Ryan Hughes who headed it back across for Liam Dolman to finish. The skipper had ghosted in unmarked to give Diamonds the lead just shy of the 20-minute mark.
Rushall continued to create with their possession-based build up but their equaliser came in contrasting fashion. A corner ball was played short and then crossed into Sam Whittal who planted his header beyond Ben Heath and into the corner of the net. It was a cruel blow for Diamonds with the goal coming so close to the halftime interval.
In a second half where chances were a rarity, it was Diamonds who produced the clearest opportunity. Matthew Slinn’s inviting free kick was met by Liam Dolman whose header was clawed aside by Jonathan Flatt at full stretch.
Arguably the defining moment of the match came in the 80th minute when Morgan Roberts raced in on goal and placed his effort agonisingly wide.
Diamonds will be disappointed not to have taken their chances but nevertheless they picked up a respectable and valuable point. Onto next week’s double header with Banbury.
Man of the Match: Morgan Roberts
Attendance: 236
Match Report by Joseph McCormack
Rushall Olympic | AFC Rushden & Diamonds |
1. Jonathan Flatt 2. Callam Mendez-Jones 3. Reece Mitchell 4. Reece Flanagan 5. Mitchell Clarke 6. Sam Whittle (C) 7. Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham 8. Alex Moore 9. Benjamin Lund 10. Eesa Sawyers 11. Jonathan Letford Subs: 12. Asa Charlton 14. Daniel Waldron (for Sawyers) 15. Kyle Finn (for Lund) 16. Orrin Pendley 17. Daniel O’Callaghan (for Moore)
| 13. Ben Heath 2. Nathan Hicks 3. Sam Brown 4. Ryan Hughes 5. Liam Dolman (C) 6. Alex Collard 7. Ben Acquaye 8. Ben Farrell 9. Ryan Dove 10. Morgan Roberts 11. Matthew Slinn Subs: 12. Patrick Casey 14. Jesse Aqubuine (for Acquaye 79) 15. Jack Bowen (for Dove 88) 16. Nat Gosnal-Tyler 17. Niall Cooper |
Goals: Whittle (44) | Goals:Dolman (18) |
Yellow Cards: Reece Mitchell, Mitchell Clarke | Yellow Cards: Sam Brown, Jesse Akubuine |
Red Cards: | Red Cards: |
Referee: Assistants: |
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