Match Report

AFC Rushden & Diamonds were punished by a clinical Peterborough Sports side as they were eliminated from the FA Trophy.

FIRST HALF

It didn’t take long for the visitors to strike first in the tie. As Diamonds struggled to clear from a corner, Maniche Sani pounced on the loose ball and fired Sports ahead.

The hosts responded well as they utilised the driving runs of Luke Fairlamb. The wing-back supplied some dangerous crosses which were cleared by the Sports rearguard. Diamonds also threatened with set-pieces but the deliveries were well dealt with by Lewis Moat in goal.

The second goal arrived in similar fashion to the opener. Diamonds failed to clear from a corner as the ball was headed back across for Dion Sembie-Ferris to finish.

Diamonds showed signs of getting back into the game. Another wicked Luke Fairlamb cross was turned behind and Patrick Casey was denied from close-range by an excellent Johnny Herd challenge.

Sports made their opponents pay for not taking their chances as they added a third just before the interval. The hosts broke forward with Maniche Sani whose shot deflected off the unfortunate Alex Collard and spun into the net.

HALF TIME: AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 0-3 PETERBOROUGH SPORTS

SECOND HALF

Sports made it four just moments into the second half. Maniche Sani skipped around Richard Walton and turned the ball into an empty net.
Diamonds refused to go down without a fight as they pulled a goal back just minutes later. Alex Collard towered above the opposition defence to head home from a corner.

The hosts took the initiative in the game and created a series of chances to bring the game back to life. Patrick Casey’s header was superbly saved just before Lorrell Smith drove his effort narrowly wide of the far post.

Sports managed to keep Diamonds at bay and made sure of the win late on. Jordan Nicholson speared his team forward on the counter-attack and slotted it past Walton to add the fifth.

FULL TIME: AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 1-5 PETERBOROUGH SPORTS