Match Report

Diamonds put in a courageous and strong display but were just edged out by Northern Premier League leaders Matlock in this Buildbase FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying tie.

The hosts started strong, with Paddy Casey making a crucial goal-line clearance and then striker Jerome Greaves missed his kick from close range. Diamonds had their own chances though as Ravi Shamsi headed wide, Tom Lorraine had a goal ruled out and Connor Furlong drilled over when well placed. Matlock striker Liam Hughes headed off-target twice, but the visitors merited the scoreline at the interval.

The second period began quickly too as Shamsi had a deflected effort saved, and down the other end Dean Snedker made an important save to parry Hughes’ header. The home side made a double change, and they took the lead soon afterwards when Alex Byrne showed terrific technique to lob Snedker from over 30 yards. One of the substitutes, Jesurun Uchegbulam, was denied by Snedker before then doubling the advantage after getting in behind the Diamonds defence and lofting it into the net. Hughes should have sealed the contest when he fired over, but Rushden refused to let their heads drop. After Casey was denied and Shamsi had a deflected strike fly narrowly over, they pulled one back when Ravi Shamsi hit an exquisite strike from 30 yards out that flew into the corner. They threw everything at Matlock, with substitute Diamond narrowly off-target and Alex Collard thundering a header off the post, but the hosts somehow held on to move into the next round.

Full match report to follow…

Preview

Buildbase FA Trophy – Third Round Qualifying

Entry prices are:

• Adult: £10.00
• Over 65s: £6.50
• Students (with valid ID): £5.00
• Children (10-18): £3.00
• Under 10s: Free

The Diamonds will be playing in their yellow away kit.

The tie will be decided on the day. If the scores are level after 90 mins, the tie will go straight to penalties.

The clubhouse will be open for supporters from 12 noon, there is a TV which will have the lunchtime game on.

Diamonds enter the Buildbase FA Trophy for the 6th time on Saturday, travelling to Northern Premier League leaders Matlock Town for a tough-looking 3rd Round Qualifying tie.

Diamonds will be massively encouraged by the performance at in-form Stratford Town on Tuesday night which produced a first win in 7 games. Matlock are previous winners of the FA Trophy and bounced back from a first home defeat to rivals South Shields with victory at Lancaster City last Saturday.

Matlock Town FC

Matlock were founded in 1878 and played in Derbyshire and Midland leagues before reaching the Northern Premier League in 1969. They had a tremendous Cup record in the mid-1970s, reaching the FA Cup First Round twice, winning on the second occasion in 1976 and going on to the Third Round before defeat at Carlisle United. “The Gladiators” also won the FA Trophy in 1975, winning at Wembley against Scarborough.

Recent Form

Matlock sit proudly top of the Northern Premier League with an impressive 13 wins from 17 games. After an incredible run of 10 wins from 11 they have given hope to rivals with two defeats in the last 4. That includes a first home league defeat to 2nd placed South Shields in their last home game. Possible further encouragement for Diamonds is another home reverse for Matlock in Cup action as they lost disappointingly to Belper Town 3-0 at home in front of over 1,000 in the FA Cup First Round Qualifying.

Diamonds broke that disappointing run of no wins in 6 with an impressive 2-1 win at Stratford Town on Tuesday night. Away form is definitely better than home form for Diamonds who are unbeaten on the road since early defeat at Bromsgrove. They have notched 2 wins at Nuneaton and Stratford and draws at Needham Market and Stourbridge.

The Game

Diamonds have 3 wins and 2 defeats in their first matches in the FA Trophy and have gone through on both the last two occasions. They beat Banbury in a home replay in 2019/2020 and St. Ives at home in 2018/2019. The not-so-good omen is that Diamonds went out at good Northern Premier League opposition both times – Witton Albion and South Shields.

Matlock are previous winners of the competition in 1975 and after that poor FA Cup result earlier in the season will be really keen to make progress this weekend.

Radio Diamonds will be on the road again if you can’t make the journey so look out for coverage along with Twitter updates, interviews, and match reports.

Enjoy the game.

Paul Judd
Radio Diamonds