Free week a relief for boss Sandy as Diamonds gear up for Grantham trip
AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 3-0 win at county rivals Desborough Town has put them into the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round for the first time in nine years.
Manager Elliot Sandy was delighted to see his side overcome a real ‘banana skin’ tie against step 5 Borough, who went into the game having won all six of the United Counties League games to date.
Diamonds' reward for the hard-fought win at the Waterworks Field is a home date against Step 3 opponents in Peterborough Sports on Saturday, September 19.
With Tuesday’s game at Boldmere St Michaels postponed due to their opponents having a Cup replay, Sandy has a full week to sort out a growing injury list ahead of Saturday's trip to Grantham Town.
Captain Joel Nketia is out for up to six weeks with a fractured wrist, midfielder Freddie Robinson missed the Desborough game due to a leg knock while Jack Daldy was carried off due to an impact injury.
Sandy said: "I’m glad Tuesday was called off, it allows us to assess Daldy and Robinson and hopefully get them fit for Saturday’s game at Grantham.
"If we have to bring one or two in, then we’ll look to do that and see who is available.
"At least we can reset, have a look at everyone and go from there – it’s nice to have a breather from everything after such a frantic start to the season."
On Saturday, Diamonds will look to maintain their unbeaten league start with a visit to Grantham, closely followed by a home clash with high flying Shepshed Dynamo next Tuesday night.
Both teams have made a solid start to the league season, but Grantham have already lost three games at home including going out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy at the first hurdle.
Shepshed have won three of their five league games to date and will prove a tough challenge at Hayden Road.
Their man to watch is striker Taylor Wyse who has six goals to his name already this season.