Match Preview: AFC Rushden & Diamonds (A), Tues 18th Aug, 7:45PM
Date: Tuesday 18th August 2026
Time: 7:45pm
Competition: Pitching-In Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands
Opponent: AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Venue: Hayden Road, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 0HX
Admission Prices: Adult £12, Concessions £9, Under 18s £5, Under 11s Free. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Live radio commentary: Radio Diamonds
Parking: There is no supporter parking available on site. See here for further parking suggestions.
Nuneaton Town head over to Northamptonshire to face AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday night in their third league game of the season.
Town bounced back from opening day defeat to Mickleover, to win 2-0 at last season's runners up Carlton Town, with James Armson scoring his first league goal for Nuneaton for over 11 years, and summer signing Bradley Stretton netting his 4th goal in 3 games.
Diamonds have started the season with a 5-0 FA Cup win over Kimberley Miners Welfare, and two league draws with Barwell and Coleshill Town.
Can Nuneaton make it back to back wins and continue their early run of away success?
Our opponents:
The Diamonds were founded in 2011 after the demise of Rushden & Diamonds earlier that year, but could only register a youth side in their first season. The senior side joined the United Counties League Division 1 for the 2012-13 season. They agreed with Wellingborough Town to groundshare at the Dog and Duck Stadium, and were promoted in their first season. In their second season in the UCL Premier they won it, earning promotion to the Southern League Division 1 Central. Another promotion came in 2018, and they reached the Southern League Premier Central where they linked up with old rivals Kettering Town. After a 5 season stay they were relegated in 2023 and remain at Step 4 for this season.
They have also groundshared at Raunds Town in their first season, and now share with Rushden & Higham United, where they have played since 2017. A new ground at Slater's Lodge is in the planning.
Their best cup runs to date are a fourth qualifying round replay defeat in the FA Cup in 2015-16, two first round defeats in the FA Trophy in 2020-21 and 2025-26, and a fourth road defeat in the FA Vase in 2013-14.
Their goalkeeper does not use number 1 as this was retired following the tragic death of Dale Roberts in 2010.
Previous meetings:
Sat 25 Feb 2023 - Southern League Premier Central
Nuneaton Borough 2-1 AFC R&D
(Benbow, Stenson)
Tue 11 Oct 2022 - Southern League Premier Central
AFC R&D 2-1 Nuneaton Borough
(Stenson)
Directions from Nuneaton town centre:
Head south on the A444 and then join the M6 at J3, heading towards London. At the end of the M6 continue onto the A14. At J10 take the slip road and join the A6 towards Bedford. Cross over the A45, and then at the third roundabout turn right into Newton Road, then right again after the school into Cromwell Road which continues on to Hayden Road, and the ground will be on the left.
Public transport:
Due to it being an evening fixture, no public transport is available to return after the game.
