AFC Rushden & Diamonds secured a win in their first league game of the season away to Tresham College.
Manager Darren Purse changed his side once again as both goalkeepers were injured. Garner, who had previously played up front, sported the goal keepers’ gloves – a position he has played before. Also, Salek Uddin came in for his debut at left back.
Diamonds started brightly and for the second game running, scored another early goal. Just 15 minutes gone, good wide play resulted in a cross to the other winger Weeks who was in space by the penalty spot. His first time swivel shot found its way into the bottom corner.
The MAA boys dominated the game from the started however Tresham got a freak equaliser after 32 minutes. A long ball over the top. Stand in goalkeeper Garner attempted a clearance, however he hit it against Roach and the Tresham forward had the easy task of tapping the ball in. It was undeserved for Purse’s lads as they had dominated thus far.
Ten minutes later, Diamonds regained the lead. Weeks got his and Diamonds’ second as he smashed in a penalty in the top right hand corner of the net.
Half Time. Tresham College 1-2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds / MAA.
The second half continued in the same manner as the first. With Diamonds keeping the ball well and dominating the game and to no surprise, the third goal came in the 58th minute. The ball found its way to Ackroyd on the edge of the box. His shot went through a group of players and found its way into the bottom corner of the net.
Diamonds added to their tally just seven minutes later. The ball was played into Ramsey who had a touch, turned and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, to give Diamonds their fourth.
The scoring didn’t stop there as Desborough made it five in the 75th minute. The central midfielder managed to get himself one on one with the Tresham goalkeeper, following a good bit of team play, and with the ‘keeper diving down early, Desborough had the awareness to cheekily chip the ball over the goalkeeper.
Then substitute Pinder completed the scoring in the 82nd minute. For the second game running, Pinder came off the bench to score. Following a corner, Tresham failed to clear their lines. A couple of shots were blocked, and then failed clearances. But Pinder got the rub of the green and he was on hand to tap in from three yards out.
Full Time. Tresham College 1-6 AFC Rushden & Diamonds / MAA
Team: Garner, Peaks (c), Keirney, Roach, Uddin, Weeks, Ackroyd, Desborough, Ivett, Leeson, Ramsey.
Subs: Pinder (Leeson 74), Hewett (Weeks 68), Knapp (Uddin 80), Kirk (Desborough 80).
Manager Darren Purse said: “I thought it was a really good game of football. We made the pitch really big and moved the ball well and when we didn’t have the ball, all the lads worked hard to win it back. My only disappointment is that we conceded a goal and couldn’t get a clean sheet out of it.”
Next up for Diamonds is a friendly against Gemeg Football Development Centre in Leicestershire – preview here.
