Manager Sandy's pride as AFC Rushden & Diamonds make FA Cup history
An emotional Elliot Sandy was bursting with pride after seeing his AFC Rushden & Diamonds upset the odds to beat higher level Morecambe on Saturday and reach the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time.
The Shrimps play their trade two divisions higher than Diamonds in the Enterprise National League South, and they are also a full-time outfit having been playing in Sky Bet League Two as recently as 18 months ago.
But they were no match for Step 4 Diamonds, who took a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a close-range finish from James Clifton and a 25-yard free-kick from Matty Warburton.
Former Nottingham Forest, Preston North End and Rangers striker Joe Garner pulled one back for the visitors on 50 minutes, and although Morecambe then did apply plenty of pressure, Rushden stood firm.
The final whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration as the bulk of the near 1,900 crowd celebrated a famous victory, and Sandy was understandably elated.
"We are history makers," the manager told @AFCRD.
"I have so much belief in this team and what we have done in 15 months, I am just so proud of everyone involved.
"It's emotional talking about it, because seeing those scenes, it is what we do it for.
"I have a group of lads who will run through brick walls for each other and for the badge, and they had to put their bodies on the
line at times.
"But it was amazing, and it is such a memorable day.
"The team talk before the game was about not letting these moments pass you by.
"You have 2,000 fans in the ground willing you on to do well, and if we give everything and it's not enough then we go out on our shield and that's fine.
"But we said, don't be flat, get after them straight away and we did that.
"Morecambe are a really good side, they put us under pressure for spells, but when our big moments came we took them.
"In the first half we could have been three or four up, but then in the second half we are hanging on for our lives but we managed to get over the line.
"There were some unbelievable performances, and I am just so proud of the boys. They deserve it."
The win sees Diamonds, who were formed in 2011 following the demise of Rushden & Diamonds and started life in the United Counties League, reach the first round of FA Cup for the first time.
They go into the hat for Monday evening's draw, which is being shown live on TNT Sports 1 and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Everyone at Hayden Road will be keeping their fingers crossed that Diamonds get a plum draw, with the likes of Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, Northampton Town and all the league one and two sides joining the competition.
Diamonds are ball number 61.