Match Report

Preview

Diamonds take on Tamworth in the Third Round Qualifying of the Isuzu FA Trophy this Saturday at Hayden Road.

Admission prices are as follows:

Adults: £11

Concessions over 60: £8

Youth 18-21: £6

Under 18: £2

Under 8: Free

Advanced tickets can be purchased here.

Our visitors

Established in 1933, the club was formed after the previous club, Tamworth Castle, ceased to exist. After successful exploits in the Birmingham Combination and West Midlands Regional League, Tamworth reached the Southern League in 1972 but the Lambs struggled to compete at the time and consequently returned to lower levels. The club returned to the Southern League in 1989 and just a year later, went on to win the FA Vase.

In 2003, Tamworth reached the FA Trophy and won promotion to the Football Conference, now referred to as the National League, in the same season. The club enjoyed a four-year stint in the division before suffering relegation to the Conference North. Tamworth returned to the Conference Premier in 2009 but relegations in 2014 and 2018 saw them return to the Southern League, with them now managed by former Diamonds manager Andy Peaks.

Tamworth play their home matches at the CR MOT Centre Community Stadium, affectionately known as The Lamb Ground. The stadium has a current capacity which is just shy of 5,000 and a 3G artificial pitch. Tamworth manager Andy Peaks will be familiar to Diamonds fans, having led the club to two promotions and been a key figure in the short history of AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

Last time out

Diamonds suffered the igominy of being beaten 5-0 by Southern League rivals Hednesford Town in their last game and are on a serious comeback mission. Having parted ways with manager Andy Burgess, management duo Chris Willmot and Richard Maxwell have prepared the team for this clash. Our table topping visitors beat Barwell in fine style, winning 4-1 courtesy of two goals from Daniel Creaney and one apiece from former Diamond Luke Fairlamb and Alex Jones.

Meetings between the clubs

Five clashes between the two have seen one win apiece and three draws. August 2018 saw Tom Lorraine snatch a point with a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw, followed by a 1-1 the following April. Tamworth ran out 3-0 winners in the first clash the following season, with Diamonds gaining revenge in the next clash in December 2021, winning 1-0.

A 2-2 draw in March 2022 saw two early Diamonds goal cancelled out by a resurgent Tamworth who were good value for the draw.

The season so far

Diamonds have struggled so far this season and are waiting for a game to kick-start the season. The Isuzu FA Trophy is the last cup competition that Rushden are left in. Tamworth however are flying high, topping the Southern League Premier Central division and only being knocked out of the FA Cup by National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.

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.