Nketia at the double as Diamonds claim derby day honours at Corby Town
Joel Nketia scored twice as AFC Rushden & Diamonds got their 2026 off to a flying start by claiming a New Year's Day Northants derby success at Corby Town.
Nketia netted early in each half at Steel Park to give his side a 2-0 lead, but Corby dragged themselves back into the game six minutes from time when teenager Harrison Jones scored from the penalty spot.
That could have set up a grandstand finish, but it was to be Diamonds that sealed the three points when Bruno Andrade raced through in stoppage time to make it 3-1.
A big crowd turned out for the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division clash, and kick-off having to be delayed 10 minutes to allow supporters still queuing outside at the scheduled 1pm start to get through the turnstiles.
When the action got underway it took Diamonds, who had lost 1-0 at home to Wellingborough Town on Boxing Day, just five minutes to break to deadlock, with Nketia touching home a free-kick delivery from Andrade.
It remained 1-0 until the break, but the same combination paired up to double Diamonds' lead just four minutes after the restart.
Andrade this time drove at the heart of the Steelmen defence and then played in Nketia to finished well to make it 2-0.
Corby pushed hard to get back in the game and they got their chance when they were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute, with Jones stepping up and slotting home.
The home side will have been hoping to pile the pressure on Diamonds at this point, but the visitors held their composure and then secured the win 60 seconds into six minutes of stoppage time, Andrade this time the scorer.