Match Report

Diamonds registered their first away win of the campaign with a deserved success at Nuneaton.

The hosts had more of the ball in the early exchanges, but Rushden created the better opportunities as Nathan Tshikuna had a deflected header saved, Will Jones saw a goal disallowed and Tshikuna then rounded the keeper before hitting the outside of the post from a tight angle. Jones had a half-volley blocked before having an effort parried, and then Nuneaton came back into it as Paddy Casey made a crucial block from Ravi Shamsi and flicked a clearance off the line from a back-post header. Home midfielder Cain Noble also volleyed over from a promising position as the half came to a close.

The second period began quietly before home substitute Leroy Lita was found by a right-wing cross, but his goalbound header was terrifically clawed away by Dean Snedker. The save was made even more vital when Diamonds scored soon afterwards through their own substitute Ben Diamond. Tshikuna showed quick feet to get away from a nearby defender before having a low shot parred, but it ran straight to Ben Diamond who gleefully tapped home from a couple of yards out. Nuneaton applied some pressure late on with a number of balls into the box, but Rushden defended manfully to keep them at bay and to see out the victory.

Full match report to follow…

Preview

Diamonds will travel to Nuneaton Borough for their 5th game of the 2021/22 Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central season.

Advance online booking is advised, however only cash will be accepted on the turnstiles. If card payment is preferred, if you speak to a steward near the turnstiles they will take you a kiosk where Nuneaton can accept card payment for your admission.

Admission prices are as follows:

Away Terrace

Adult: £12

Concession: £10

Under 16: £3

Under 11: £1

Away Main Stand

Adult: £14

Concession: £12

Under 16: £5

Under 11: £3

Tickets can be purchased ahead of the match here.

To find out more about our opponents, check out their website.

Diamonds are on their travels again on Saturday afternoon as they return to Pitching-in Southern League Division Central action with a visit to Nuneaton Borough in North Warwickshire.

Both sides were on their travels in FA Cup action last weekend but had very differing fates. Diamonds fell to a 5-2 defeat at Coalville Town while Boro won 3-1 at Lichfield City to reach the 2^nd Round Qualifying where they travel to Stratford Town.

Nuneaton Borough

There has been a team in existence in Nuneaton in one form or another since 1889 but they have experienced being disbanded in 1937 and liquidated in 1991 and 2008 under various names. George Best famously played in a 1983 friendly for “the Boro” and an incredible 22,114 crammed into former ground Manor Park for an FA Cup 3^rd round tie against Rotherham United in 1967.

The current incarnation fought back from demotion to Southern League Division One on their creation in 2008 to Conference Premier in 2012. They were relegated from National League North in 2018/2019 and went into Southern League Central where they were handily placed in 9^th when that season was aborted. They now play at Liberty Way which saw a crowd of 4,054 against Stockport County in April 2019.

Previous Games

Diamonds are unbeaten in three league contests against Nuneaton across the last two aborted seasons. In 2019/2020 Diamonds won 2-0 at Hayden Road in front of 575 to make it 3 wins from 3 at the start of the season with Massiah Mcdonald and Sam Johnson the scorers. The return game in January was won in dramatic fashion at Liberty Way with a Ben Farrell coolly converted 89^th minute penalty.

The sides also played out a 1-1 draw in the first game of last season with Lorrell Phillips-Smith notching a first half-penalty but Diamonds couldn’t hang on. Only 7 games for Diamonds and 8 for Nuneaton were possible as the season was aborted again.

Current Form

Both sides have just the one league win each this season in 4 games for Diamonds and 5 for Nuneaton. Nuneaton are unbeaten at home though with an opening day 3-3 draw against Biggleswade Town added to a 2-0 win against Leiston in their last home game. 3 away defeats at Rushall, Hitchin and Tamworth has them sitting on 4 points in 16^th place.

Diamonds have just the one win in that dramatic game against Coalville Town with Joel Gyasi notching a 92^nd minute winner in the rain. Three defeats including at home to Banbury United and away to Bromsgrove Sporting and Peterborough Sports has Diamonds in 17^th place on 3 points.

The Game

Andy Peaks was disappointed with his sides defending in that FA Cup match at Coalville with Tim Berridge notching 4 very similar goals. His side were well in the game against top opponents until 2 were conceded right on half time. Similarly Diamonds were well in the contest against a very good Peterborough Sports on Bank Holiday Monday who felt the 1-0 win as their toughest game of the season.

Diamonds are largely a young side with a number of developing players who have come up against really good opposition and the experience will stand them in good stead. With experienced players to return Andy Peaks still has plenty of confidence in this group of players and is looking for them to pick up some positive results in the coming weeks.

Radio Diamonds will be looking to broadcast on Saturday afternoon and the in-match twitter updates should also be back. We will have reduced numbers I’m afraid so please bear with us on twitter updates. Match report and interviews will be back though so don’t forget to look out for them after the game.

Enjoy the game

Paul Judd

Radio Diamonds