Match Report

Diamonds suffered late heartbreak as Basford scored in the 90th minute to complete a comeback victory on a sweltering afternoon at Greenwich Avenue.

The hosts had the better of the opening exchanges, with strong striker Greg Smith having a diving header deflected narrowly wide before Dean Snekder made the first of several crucial saves to deny Anthony Dwyer who was through on goal. Snedker then saved from Smith, Adam Chapman had a goalbound strike blocked behind and Evangelos-Nikalaos Empochontsif survived big claims for handball inside the area. Basford had another close-range strike palmed away, but Diamonds improved as the half went on as Miguel Ngwa had a bouncing strike held, another strike slashed off-target and a Paddy Casey rising effort over the bar. They could have led just before half-time when debutant Conor Tee was released in behind the defence, but his fierce attempt was palmed away.

Rushden forged ahead inside four minutes of the second period when Patrick Casey scored his first goal for the Club after a cool low strike into the far corner. Empochontsif came close with a looping header as Diamonds looked confident on the ball and settled, but that changed when Snedker made two more good saves before Empochontsif was penalised for a foul inside the box, despite several claims that the defender took the ball. Anthony Dwyer confidently dispatched the penalty, and both sides proceeded to come close as Connor Furlong had a shot kicked away and Snedker palmed away a curling strike. He was powerless moments before full-time though when Basford turned over possession and broke down the right which led to a low cross being poked home by substitute Tyreace Palmer.

Full report to follow

Preview

Andy Burgess speaks ahead of the away trip to Basford United.

Diamonds travel to league newcomers Basford United on Saturday (13^th August, 3:00 pm kick-off) for their first away match of the 2022/23 Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.

We will be running a combined supporters and players coach to the game. Click here for further details and to book your place.

Admission prices are as follows:

Adults: £9

Concessions: £6.50

Family ticket or parties of four: £22

Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

Our hosts

They play at Greenwich Avenue and finished 20^th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division last season before being transferred across. The Lions are managed by Mark Clifford and lost their opening game of the campaign 3-1 at Royston Town last Saturday.

To find out more about the club, visit their website here.

Last time out

Diamonds kicked off the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Needham Market.

Meetings between the clubs

Diamonds and Basford have faced each other on three occasions, with Diamonds emerging victorious once, Basford winning once and one draw.

The full list of results between the two sides is:

Diamonds 5-3 Basford (Newman, Morgan x2, Gillingwater, Wisniewski) – FA Vase Second Round, 17^th November 2012

Diamonds 2-2 Basford (Shariff pen, Lorraine) – Northern Premier League First Division South, 22^nd October 2016

Basford 3-0 Diamonds – Northern Premier League First Division South, 25^th February 2017

Home vs away

Basford had the second-worst home record in the Northern Premier League Premier Division last season as they won five, drew seven and lost nine, scoring a league-low of 17 goals in the process.

In the 2021/22 Southern Premier Central, Diamonds had the third-best away record winning ten, drawing four and losing six.

Can’t make the game?

Our Radio Diamonds team will be providing live commentary as the action unfolds – tune in at mixlr.com/radiodiamondsafc. Listeners will be able to message with their comments and thoughts on 07394 309591.

We will also doing live updates on our Twitter account at twitter.com/AFCRD. Interviews will be available after the game at youtube.com/AFCRDTV.

Match preview: Ollie Mortimer