Diamonds Hold on to Beat Town - Match Report: AFC Rushden and Diamonds 3 Nuneaton Town 2
By George Kirk
Nuneaton Town fall to defeat in an exhilarating clash away against Rushden and Diamonds.
In a game full of drama, the quality of Ex-Football League journeyman Bruno Andrade shone through, as his brace and ex-Boro midfielder James Clifton’s tap in proved enough to grab the Diamonds their first win of the league season.
Despite the result, Acco and Doddsy’s men gave Rushden a real tough test and were unfortunate not to take anything from the game, with James Armson levelling not long after Andrade’s screamer opened the scoring.
After being pegged back by two goals early in the second half, James Harrison’s late strike set up a grand stand finish, almost completing a dramatic comeback in the final seconds of the game, when Liam Murphy was found free in the box, but fired just wide from close range.
Kick-Off:
Town started the game on the front foot, putting the home side under pressure and frustrating, with Jack Daldy and Tejan Thomas both being cautioned for fouls in the first five minutes.
Powerhouse Terry Atem, proved to be a real handful for the Rushden backline, using his strength on the ball to cause problems, but was unable to fire any attempts with any conviction, having an effort cleared and another easily saved.
In the 23rd minute, Boro would pay for not doing enough on the ball, as the Diamonds pushed forward on the counter attack, causing chaos in the box with a dangerous cross, that was headed out only to land to Bruno Andrade, who smashed sweetly on the volley into the back of the net from just outside the box.
Town responded positively, pushing forward to grab the equaliser, with Jay Snook feeling aggrieved on two occasions, as the Salop loanee was alleged to have been pulled down in the box, and Tejan Thomas survived a second booking for dragging him down by the left corner.
Despite being on top, Nuneaton almost paid the price again for pushing too many bodies forward as Rushden came close, firing an effort just wide of the far post.
Town would finally find an opening just before the end of the half, as Brad Stretton put the ball on a plate for non-league veteran James Armson to equalise.
Half-Time: Rushden and Diamonds 1-1 Nuneaton Town
As the whistle blew for the second half, it was clear to see Elliot Sandy’s teamtalk had worked, hitting Boro with some early pressure, winning a couple of corners in the process.
In the 48th minute, the Diamonds would further profit from this early momentum, thanks to another moment of magic from Andrade, who hit the ball first time from the back edge of the box, sending a laser accurate strike into the bottom right corner.
Not long after, the home side would double their advantage, as ex-Boro man James Clifton pounced on the rebound of a decent Finn Osborn save to poke into an empty net.
After going two behind, Acco and Doddsy brought on Essa Sawyers, James Harrison and Liam Murphy to change the game, and were rewarded almost instantly, when Harrison curled into the bottom right corner from just outside the box.
This spurred Town on, piling on the pressure with a bombardment of crosses being fizzed into the box, but were matched some resolute defending from Rushden.
Despite being under heavy pressure, the home side would hit Acco and Doddsy’s men on the break, almost sealing the deal late on forcing Osborn into a heroic double save.
Boro would almost grab a point at the death, with chances from Sawyers, Green and Murphy all going agonisingly wide, but the Diamonds would hold on to earn their first league win of the season.
An unlucky night for the Town, who now set their sights on the FA Cup Preliminary Round away at Rugby Borough.
Full-Time: Rushden and Diamonds 3-2 Nuneaton Town
MOTM: Aaron Roberts
Attendance: 515
Team: Finn Osborn, Josh Green, Harry Chesterton (Sawyers, 68’), Charlie Jones (Y, 77’), Aaron Roberts (Y, 90’), Luke Softley, Brad Stretton, James Armson ©, Terry Atem, Caine Elliot (Harrison 68’, G, 75’), Jay Snook (Murphy, 74’, Y, 90’)
Substitutes: Eesa Sawyers, James Harrison, Liam Murphy, Stuart Hendrie, Corey Currithers
Next-Up: Nuneaton Town are on their travels yet again in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, as they take on Rugby Borough at Kilsby Lane on Saturday 22nd August, with a 3pm kick-off time.
