Diamonds targeting a quickfire Coventry Sphinx double as they aim to maintain play-off push
AFC Rushden & Diamonds face a speedy rematch with Coventry Sphinx at Hayden Road on Saturday – the second meeting between the two clubs in the space of 10 days.
With last weekend’s home game against Belper Town postponed, it will be back-to-back meetings with Sphinx after Diamonds came away with a well-deserved 1-0 victory last midweek thanks to John-Joe O-Toole’s 12th minute header.
Rushden should have been home and dry inside the opening 20 minutes, but a combination of poor finishing and the woodwork kept the score down.
Ben Heath’s fine second half penalty save kept Diamonds ahead after a change in referee due to illness threatened to derail Rushden.
Sphinx have endured a torrid run in recent weeks, but they produced a vital victory last weekend beating near neighbours and relegation rivals Rugby Town.
Prior to the Hayden Road encounter, Sphinx were due to face fast falling Lichfield City on Tuesday night in another relegation clash.
Diamonds will be without Jack Daldy on Saturday as the midfielder is due to serve the first of a four-game suspension following a second red card of the season at Bourne.
That absence leaves manager Elliot Sandy with a dilemma as to who should replace Daldy.
O’Toole is a possibility, but the ex-Cobbler has been so impressive at the heart of the defence that Sandy might want to retain him in a defensive role.
Tejan Thomas has done nothing wrong this season but has been unable to regain his starting role after seeing red against Carlton Town.
The former academy player could replace O’Toole at centre back or play as a holding midfielder. Another option in midfield would be Cobblers youngster Ollie Evans who has impressed during his on-loan stint.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s game, Sandy said: "I’m delighted to be back at home on Saturday after four away games in a row.
"Back-to-back wins has put us in a good position, but I know how tough it will be against Sphinx who have started well under new management.
"We know from last week that they are fighting for their lives but we are always confident when playing at home."
The weekend results were kind to Diamonds, with Coleshill, Wellingborough Town and Mickleover all failing to win, leaving them four points off the top five with a game in hand.
Rugby Borough did claim victory to edge above Diamonds on goal difference, with Sandy's men slipping to ninth in the Midlands Division table, but they are level on points with Rugby as well as county neighbours Doughboys who rose to seventh after drawing 1-1 at Coleshill.