In their first pre-season game of the new campaign AFC Rushden & Diamonds lost 1-0 to Rushden & Higham United in the Chris Ruff Memorial Cup at Hayden Road on Thursday evening. A goal from Tyler Merries early in the second half decided the game in favour of the hosts.
All four of the Diamonds new signings made an appearance during the game, with Alfie Taylor coming the closest to opening the scoring in a sleepy first half when he saw his effort hit the post.
After Tyler Merries bundled home a Jory Mann free kick after 55 minutes the Diamonds started to make a number of changes to their line-up, with Aaron King almost scoring with his first touch and then contributing to a dominant period for the Diamonds that saw them create a number a chances, but they could not quite force an equaliser. Good work from Alfie Taylor on the left saw a dangerous cross narrowly elude Jack Wisniewski, and the Diamonds striker then saw an effort well blocked by the Lankies keeper. Ben Morgan and Fazel Koriya also missed the target after they each did well to create a shooting chance.
Diamonds Team: Tom Cross, Triallist, Sam Brown, Séan McBride, Triallist, Alex Deakin, Jack Wisniewski, Dan Grainger, Alfie Taylor, Russ Dunkley, Nat Liburd. Subs: Aaron King for McBride 58, Fazel Koriya for Liburd 58, Ben Morgan for Taylor 67, Matt Gearing for Wisniewski 67, Quincy Shorunmu for Cross 67, Louis Smith for Grainger 73, Lance Allen for Dunkley 76, Jake Reynolds for Triallist 79, Liam Bond for Triallist 79.
Attendance Approx 425
Match Photos Copyright Stephanie Webb 2013
