Uxbridge FC 0-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

AFC Rushden & Diamonds scored a dramatic last-minute winner to edge past Uxbridge on a chilly Saturday afternoon in Middlesex. 

The first half was a largely even affair with one key chance falling to either side. New signing Shawn Richards slammed an effort goalwards in the 21st minute which seemed destined for the back of the net until Uxbridge goalkeeper Paul McCarthy tipped the ball onto the crossbar and the ball was eventually cleared to safety. Four minutes later Reece Grant for the home side had a shot blocked, and the loose ball fell for Jon-Jo Bates to flash a shot across goal which Wayne Carter seemed odds-on to convert at the back post before Sam Brown made a vital interception and cleared it behind for a corner.

The following 45 minutes were very similar as both teams attempted to gain a foothold and dominance over the game, but the defences were on top and dealt well with any forward threat. Uxbridge defender Mark Dennison saw a well-struck half-volley confidently held by Matt Finlay and Bates also saw a flashing drive narrowly go over the bar, while for the Diamonds Brad Harris was unable to turn home a Hoban flick across goal and Tom Lorraine drove a fierce effort wide of the far post from 25 yards out.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, substitute Tom Liversedge poked a ball forward towards the edge of the penalty area which Richard Bunting was able to latch onto and loft a delightful lob over the Reds’ keeper to spark delirium from the travelling fans.

Diamonds manager Andy Peaks made three changes to the side that defeated Hanwell away on Tuesday evening, with Liam Dolman returning to the centre of defence after a three match suspension and Delroy Gordon moving to right-back replacing Ollie Wilkinson. Richard Bunting also made a welcome return to the side which allowed Tom Lorraine to move back up front alongside Tommy Berwick, and a start was also given to new signing Shawn Richards who was going to operate from the right-wing as Lewis Leslie dropped to the bench.

With the hosts having held Royston and St. Ives to draws in recent weeks and after recording a win at Chalfont St Peter in midweek, the Diamonds knew they wouldn’t have an easy task on their hands to win the game and end Uxbridge’s seven league game unbeaten run. There was a breeze in the cool, chilly air which was blowing in the away side’s favour as the game got underway.

It was the new signing Richards who had the first sighting of the match in only the third minute. He received the ball on the right flank, cut inside and fed a low ball into the feet of Berwick. The ex-Stamford man then showed a terrific turn of pace to latch onto the resultant pass and almost reach the ball in the penalty area before a strong defensive tackle from an Uxbridge defender saw the ball ricochet off the Diamonds number 7 and out for a goal-kick.

Rushden were passing the ball neatly in the opening stages, with both Berwick and Lorraine always looking for a ball in behind the home defence and the midfield looking comfortable in possession. Another good turn of pace saw Lorraine beat Mitchell Wiseman to the ball in midfield and then advance into the opposing half. A three-on-two situation for the Diamonds opened up with Berwick on Lorraine’s right and Hoban on his left, and as the Diamonds front-man reached the penalty box he squared the ball across to the Romanian winger. However, it took a moment for the ball to finish bobbling and eventually settle down, and the resultant effort was well blocked by Paul McCarthy.

Richards and Hoban then proceeded to swap wings and both continued to threaten the Reds with their width and ability to run with verve and pace when they did receive possession. Richards was milimetres away from scoring a debut goal in the 21^st minute after picking the ball up from a throw-in and jinking inside Jon-Jo Bates to work a shooting opportunity 30 yards out. He thundered an effort towards goal and it took a fantastic fingertip save from McCarthy to tip the ball onto the crossbar before the danger was cleared away.

The home side, however, did look comfortable in possession and were quick to support their front-man and top scorer Wayne Carter whenever they did launch an attack. Shortly after a perfectly observed minute’s applause for Dale Roberts had occurred in the 24^th minute, a clipped ball from the Uxbridge defence dropped in behind the Diamonds back four for Bates to reach. He held up the ball, laid it off to Reece Grant just inside the area and his goalbound shot was blocked, though it dropped for Bates to drill an effort across the six-yard box. Just as it seemed Carter was there at the back post to tap the ball home, though, Sam Brown stepped in with a vital interception to clear away for a corner.

The rest of the half then became quite scrappy and fragmented as both sides, especially in the midfield areas, contested for possession and struggled to make any inroads into two well-marshalled defences. Lorraine did generate a half-chance after 27 minutes, but after the ball dropped for him on the edge of the box, he flashed his shot wide of the near post.

Uxbridge were looking to turn the Diamonds defence around frequently with balls over the top and into the channels for their front-men to run onto, and one such instance eight minutes before the break saw Grant dance into a crossing position on the left to deliver a low ball which again required Brown to clear behind for a corner. The subsequent corner saw Bunting head the ball clear before going down as a result of the areal duel, and as the referee allowed play to continue a strike from just outside the box by Grant was deflected goalwards by winger Sekani McCalmon. Fortunately for the Diamonds however, Bunting was able to clear the ball away as he rose to his feet.

There proved to be one final chance of the close and tight affair in the first half, and this fell for the away side. The Diamonds earnt a throw-in on the right side next to the corner flag and Brown made his way across to take it. His hurl into the box saw Lorraine attempting to help the ball on, but it hit a defender’s head and dropped for Harris to hook a shot goalwards which was well saved to the keeper’s right. The rebound fell for Berwick, but he was unable to truly get the ball out of his feet and his eventual effort was tame enabling McCarthy to collect.

Half Time: Uxbridge FC 0-0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

There was an air of anticipation in the air as the second half got underway, with thoughts of whether either side would be able to build up a tempo and rhythm that would allow them to dominate the game. However, the opening fifteen minutes proved to be largely short of goalmouth action, and the Diamonds especially struggled to maintain possession for a long period of time due to Uxbridge’s swift and constant pressing of the visitors in these early moments.

The home side were able to win a corner in the 59^th minute on the right side, and an inswinging delivery from Dave Thomas was whipped into the heart of the six-yard box. The ball hit a Diamonds player and broke loose in the box, but Edi Appleton was able to clear the ball away upfield. Half-time substitute Anthony O’Connor then had a couple of dangerous moments as firstly he attempted to latch onto a through ball from Bates before going down in the area, though the referee waved away the penalty appeals. Then a minute later in the 65^th minute he wriggled away from Gordon and traversed the edge of the box before hitting a left-footed strike which was well blocked from the recovering Gordon.

The contest entered the last fifteen minutes, and with that the game became more stretched and open than it had previously been as both Uxbridge and Diamonds seeked an opportunity to win the game. A flurry of chances were thus created, and it was the home side to threaten first as a Harris clearance from a right-wing cross fell for tall defender Mark Dennison. He caught his left-footed half-volley cleanly and Matt Finlay did excellently well to hold onto the ball despite it bouncing just before it reached him.

Diamonds advanced up the other end, and after Lorraine flicked on nicely for Berwick to run away down the right channel, he swept a low cross towards the back post where Hoban was arriving to turn it back across goal for the advancing Harris. He somehow failed to get a touch on the ball though from four yards out, and the danger was hacked away to safety. Lorraine was involved again as he turned into space on the left a minute later, and with no other real options in front of him he slammed a powerful effort which appeared to deceive McCarthy and slip just wide of the far right post.

Bates had proved to be a danger to the Diamonds midfield and defence in the second half in particular with his low centre of gravity and knack of finding pockets of space in front of the away back four, and he worked his way into shooting range eight minutes from time only for him to crack his effort narrowly wide of Finlay’s right-hand post.

Tom Liversedge was sent onto the pitch in place of Richards shortly following this chance, and it meant Berwick moved out to the right side as the Diamonds tried to step up their urgency. The clock ticked to 90 minutes with no more signs of openings or opportunities, and it appeared Rushden were going to be involved in only their third ever 0-0 competitive result…

Until the captain rode to the rescue.

Liversedge was able to get possession of the ball halfway inside the Uxbridge half, and with Lorraine and Berwick further behind the play it seemed like there were limited options for the ex-Bedford man. He poked a ball through behind the defence more in hope than expectation and there suddenly was Richard Bunting marauding forward. A lot of work was still left to do but he ran onto the ball and lobbed a perfect effort over the home keeper and into the back of the net. Wild and ecstatic scenes then ensued with all the Diamonds players piling on top of the Rushden skipper, and a win had appeared to have been snatched from the jaws of a draw.

There was still two minutes of stoppage time for the away side to see out, but aside from a couple of balls forward that were easily dealt with, the Diamonds held on to claim the three points.

Full Time: Uxbridge FC 0-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

This result, coupled with the success at Hanwell on Tuesday night, has represented a perfect riposte for the Diamonds after the setback of last Saturday, and despite not creating a huge amount of opportunities, they defended strongly and took the opportunity when it did come along. The return of Liam Dolman added stability and another sense of leadership that will be important in the upcoming busy Christmas schedule, and this alongside new signing Shawn Richards looking bright on his debut and also the squad gradually getting back to its full compliment means the Diamonds head into the top-of-the-table clash away at Chalfont St Peter next Saturday with confidence. Both teams sit on 43 points in the Southern League Division One Central with Rushden having two games in hand, and so a very intriguing game lies ahead.

Diamonds Man of the Match: Liam Dolman

Attendance: 175

Match Report by Ollie Mortimer

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