Diamonds' cup success '˜ticks all the boxes' for boss Peaks

Andy Peaks felt AFC Rushden & Diamonds' Integro League Cup success over Corby Town 'ticked all the boxes'.
Andy Peaks was delighted after AFC Rushden & Diamonds knocked Corby Town out of the Integro League CupAndy Peaks was delighted after AFC Rushden & Diamonds knocked Corby Town out of the Integro League Cup
Andy Peaks was delighted after AFC Rushden & Diamonds knocked Corby Town out of the Integro League Cup

Liam Dolman scored both goals as Diamonds secured a 2-1 victory while the Steelmen replied through Connor Kennedy’s fine strike late on at the Dog & Duck.

Peaks’ men will now head to Rugby Town in the second round on Tuesday, January 10.

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And the Diamonds boss was able to reflect on a good evening after he made a number of changes to his starting line-up.

“It ticked all the boxes for me,” Peaks said.

“It got our home form back on track with a win, we have beaten a team from a higher league, we have progressed to the next round of the cup and we got some valuable minutes into some squad players who we will need in the next few weeks.

“I thought it was a good game. For us to get a win and get some young players including one of our scholars Ryan Baird on the pitch as a good thing.

“It was a brilliant exercise and it gives us the chance to go to Rugby in the next round on what will be a good surface and hopefully we can do the same again.”

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While Diamonds are going along nicely at present – they will defend a 14-match unbeaten run in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South when they host Lincoln United on Saturday – the same can’t be said for the Steelmen.

Gary Mills’ team are sitting rock-bottom of the Premier Division while the manager is still waiting for his first league win since taking charge.

But, having seen them first-hand on Tuesday night, Peaks offered some words of comfort to his Corby counterpart.

“I will obviously worry about us but from Corby’s point of view, if they play like that week in and week out then they are going to pick some points up,” he added.

“Ben (Diamonds goalkeeper Heath) has had to make some good saves and we have got some blocks in. On another night, they might have won the game.”

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