Mixed feelings for boss Sandy as Diamonds suffer Biggleswade Town defeat
AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Elliot Sandy was left with mixed emotions after his side suffered a 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat against fellow Step 4 side Biggleswade Town at Hayden Road on Tuesday night.
Diamonds started well and led 2-1 at half-time thanks to a Bruno Andrade double, the striker combining well with summer signing Rhys Thorpe for both goals.
But it was a different story in the second half as Biggleswade fought back to win 3-2, and Sandy was not happy with the goals gifted to the Bedfordshire side.
"That was a really tough workout," Sandy told @AFCRDTV. "Biggleswade started really well, but we weathered that and managed it well, and it was a real end-to-end game.
"We scored two really good goals and looked dangerous going forward, and then they put us under pressure, but in the first half we defended well.
"I was pleased with the first half, but in the second half we were poor, and the goals we gave away were really poor."
Last Friday, Diamonds were also sloppy as they drew 2-2 at home with MK Irish, and Sandy feels the defensive lapses are down to a lack of work on the training ground, which is something that will be rectified ahead of the big kick-off on August 8.
"We haven't been able to train for a while, with Saturday-Tuesday games, and we played on Friday as well," said the Diamonds boss.
"We knew this spell was a tough one, and we haven't been able to work on things on the training pitch, but we will be in on Thursday and there is a lot to work on.
"The five goals we have conceded in the past two games are really poor ones, because we are a big side and should not be conceding from set-pieces."
Diamonds are back in friendly action on Saturday when they travel to Step 3 side AFC Stamford.
Meanwhile, Corby Town claimed a first win of pre-season as they hammered hosts Histon FC 5-0 on Tuesday night.
There were two goals for Reuben Marshall and one for Miguel Ngwa, with an unnamed trialist netting the other two.
Leon Mettam's side drew their opening friendly at Skegness Town last weekend 1-1, and this Saturday they travel to Lincoln United.
Wellingborough Town are also on the road on Saturday as they continue their pre-season build-up with a friendly at Leighton Town.
The Doughboys were beaten 2-0 at Kettering Town last Friday in what was a good workout for both teams.
The Poppies are back at Latimer Park on Saturday when they entertain Watford B (ko 3pm).