Match Report

Diamonds were beaten by the league’s most in-form side on Saturday afternoon.

In blustery conditions that had an evident impact on proceedings, the hosts had more of the ball and looked threatening throughout. Dean Snedker made a good save from Ben Usher-Shipway’s cross-shot before making another stop following a corner. In response Ty Deacon twice fired off-target, just missed a Connor Furlong cross and AJ George had an effort blocked. Just before half-time Snedker terrifically denied Alex Moore from range and then saved from Tyler Lyttle after he had been released on goal.

Rushall took the lead five minutes into the second half when Alex Collard unfortunately headed into his own net after Snedker had made an incredible point-blank save. Rushden’s best chance to get back into the match saw Furlong denied from a tight angle before Liam Dolman’s header from the resulting corner was smuggled behind. The home side doubled their advantage when a loose ball ran to substitute Danny Glover who instinctively curled a strike up and over Snedker into the far corner. They could have added more when Kristian Green fired wide and Glover had an effort cleared off the line, but two goals were enough in the end.

Preview

Diamonds make the lovely journey up the M6 on Saturday to take on Rushall Olympic in another battle of the in-form Southern League Premier Central sides.

Rushall is a former mining village just north of Walsall with football roots back to the 1890s. The side play at Dales Lane on the outskirts of the village on an artificial pitch.

After winning 2-1 at play-off rivals Alvechurch two weeks back Diamonds despatched form side Stourbridge 2-0 in a close encounter at Hayden Road last week. The Glassboys went on to play at Rushall on Tuesday night and were soundly beaten 4-0 to emphasise what a challenge Diamonds have this week.

Rushall are unbeaten in 12 with 5 draws in that sequence – all that is keeping them behind 2nd place Coalville. Home form is impressive with 9 wins and just 1 defeat and the last three home games have seen 13 goals for and 1 against with 4 goals scored in each of the last 3 games home and away.

Diamonds are on equally impressive run of form though with 6 wins in 7 seeing them climb to 5th in the table. Away form is good with 4 wins in the last 5 on their travels with the only defeat of 2022 in a close contest at high flyers Banbury.

Rushall are unbeaten in this fixture with a pair of 2-0 wins in the 2018/2019 season – Diamonds first at this level. 2019/2020 saw just the game at Dales Lane which finished 1-1 with Liam Dolman scoring. Ravi Shamsi was Diamonds scorer in the reverse fixture this season which also finished 1-1 after two goals in the first 11 minutes.

The forecast is for strong winds again on Saturday which combined with the artificial pitch could make for challenging conditions. Both sides will be full of confidence though and feeling their recent form, if repeated, will bring them the points.

Diamonds will need to be strong defensively as usual against free scoring Rushall and will be hoping the even surface will benefit their passing game and ability to break with pace.

Radio Diamonds will be present as usual and the media team will also be bringing you in-game Twitter updates if you can’t make the game. The listener numbers have been excellent recently so hope you can join the fun as Diamonds look for more Hednesford, Hitchin, Tamworth, Royston, Alvechurch moments.

Enjoy the game…

Paul Judd
Media Team

Ticket Details

Tickets can be bought in advance from Rushall Olympic’s ticketing portal here: https://rushallolympicfc.ktckts.com/event/rso2122h15/v-afc-rushden-diamonds