Diamonds confirm their pre-season schedule

AFC Rushden & Diamonds will be gearing up for another season in the Southern League Premier Central
AFC Rushden & Diamonds celebrate after their Jaymann Shield success over Kettering Town. Picture by Finbarr CarrollAFC Rushden & Diamonds celebrate after their Jaymann Shield success over Kettering Town. Picture by Finbarr Carroll
AFC Rushden & Diamonds celebrate after their Jaymann Shield success over Kettering Town. Picture by Finbarr Carroll

AFC Rushden & Diamonds have confirmed their full pre-season friendly schedule for this summer.

Diamonds will be preparing for another season in the Southern League Premier Central, which gets under way on Saturday, August 14.

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The pre-season schedule sees Diamonds competing in the Harry Robinson Trophy, which has been organised by Kempston Rovers.

And Andy Peaks’ team will also play their annual Dale Roberts Memorial Cup and Chris Ruff Cup matches as part of the build up.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds pre-season friendlies 2021

July

Saturday 4: Eynesbury Rovers (a, Harry Robinson Trophy, 3pm).

Tuesday 6: Kempston Rovers (a, Harry Robinson Trophy, 7.45pm).

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Saturday 10: Cambridge City (h, Harry Robinson Trophy, 3pm).

Tuesday 13: Stamford (a, 7.45pm).

Saturday 17: Harry Robinson Trophy Finals Day (at Kempston Rovers).

Wednesday 21: Northampton Town XI (h, 7.45pm).

Saturday 24: Rushden & Higham United (h, Chris Ruff Cup, 3pm).

Tuesday 27: Dunstable Town (a, 7.45pm).

Saturday 31: Daventry Town (h, Dale Roberts Memorial Cup, 3pm).

August

Tuesday 3: Barton Rovers (a, 7.45pm).

Saturday 7: Thame United (a, 3pm).

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Will Jones was the hat-trick hero for AFC Rushden & Diamonds as they defeated Kettering Town 3-1 to lift the Northants Senior Youth League’s Jaymann Shield.

Having won the Knockout Cup, the young Poppies were aiming to make it a quickfire double of silverware but Diamonds and man-of-the-match Jones had other ideas.

The striker, who has been part of the Diamonds’ first-team squad before, struck twice in the first half to put his team in control at Wellingborough Town’s Dog & Duck ground.

George Herbert scored to give Kettering a lifeline early in the second half but Jones completed a memorable night for him and his team as he completed the scoring and his hat-trick.