Four-goal hero Wreh has 'unfinished business' with Diamonds

Chris Wreh scores one of his four goals in AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 7-1 success over Hitchin Town. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images

With the matchball safely secured under his arm, AFC Rushden & Diamonds striker Chris Wreh was asked the obvious question in his post-match interview.

‘So, Chris. When was the last time you scored four goals in 10 minutes?’

He quickly replied: “Never! That’s the first time that’s happened for me. Maybe I have done it on Fifa but that’s the first time I have done something like that!

It was a night to remember for Diamonds striker Chris Wreh

“I think I had five shots in the game and scored four goals so, from a personal level, it’s really good.

“But the main thing is the team. We worked hard. It’s my job to put the ball in the back of the net which I did and I am pleased to have played a part.”

Play his part he did. Wreh, who re-signed for Diamonds during the summer, single-handedly took Tuesday night’s clash away from visitors Hitchin Town with that incredible four-goal burst between the ninth and 19th minutes.

And Wreh clearly feels he has something to prove at Hayden Road after his first spell with the club failed to spark.

“I was younger when I was here before and I was learning the game,” he said.

“I have been elsewhere and learned the trade a bit more.

“I feel like I have unfinished business here so the main thing for me is to work hard for the team and show my respect to the manager (Andy Peaks) for bringing me back.

Wreh’s stunning four-goal haul was the undoubted highlight of a superb evening for Diamonds as they eventually secured a 7-1 success with Alex Collard, Lorrell Smith and Jesse Akubuine adding further goals after the break.

The big win was a far cry from what had happened at Hayden Road just seven days earlier when Peaks’ team were thrashed 5-0 by lower-ranked Newark in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Diamonds recovered to earn a point in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Barwell before securing their first win of the season in emphatic style.

It means they are unbeaten in three matches at the start of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central season, which continues next Tuesday night at Leiston.

And Wreh added: “There’s a lot of character in the dressing-room and there are a lot of leaders.

“Sometimes stuff like the FA Cup loss happens in football but it’s all about how you bounce back. We have done that really well.

“The main thing now is to keep kicking on, scoring goals and working hard and if we do that then the sky's the limit really.”