Peaks delighted with 'electric' Diamonds

Andy Peaks was delighted with what he described as an “electric” attacking display as AFC Rushden & Diamonds thrashed Hitchin Town 7-1 at Hayden Road.

Summer signing Chris Wreh was the star of the show as he tore into the visitors by scoring an incredible four goals in just 10 first-half minutes to put Diamonds in total control.

Wreh’s devastating finishing left the Canaries shell-shocked and, although Alex Marsh pulled one back before the break, any sort of fightback was snuffed out by a much more solid Diamonds defence in the second half.

And the hosts rounded things off nicely with Alex Collard heading home the fifth before substitutes Lorrell Smith and Jesse Akubuine got in on the act.

The victory came exactly seven days after Diamonds had been stunned by a 5-0 home defeat to lower-ranked Newark in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

But with that now consigned to the history books, Diamonds are staring back at a solid start in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central with two draws and now a win from their first three matches.

“It’s a completely different feeling to this time last week,” Peaks said.

“Attacking wise, I thought we were absolutely electric and looked dangerous all the time against a team who have started well themselves.

“I wanted us to be attacking, at times against Barwell (in the 1-1 draw at the weekend) we were a bit too negative.

“We got 4-0 up and Chris did exactly what I keep telling people he can do. If you give him a chance, he is a very good finisher. He got into good areas and that’s what he can do.

“He has that capability and he is different to what we have had before.

“I actually preferred our performance in the second half because we looked that bit more solid and still looked a massive threat.

“The pleasing thing for me is that we have used 17 or 18 players so far and there are still a couple who are injured so it proves we have the strength in depth.

“It’s a good, solid start for us. The FA Cup defeat was a huge disappointment because you always want to do well in that and that will haunt me for a while.

“But, in the last game and a half, we have been excellent, back to what we want to be and playing with a good tempo.

“We are three games in, we have five points and are unbeaten and I would have taken that.”

Diamonds are without a game this weekend due to their early FA Cup exit but they will be straight back into the action next Tuesday night when they make the long trek to Leiston.

“We have to focus on next Tuesday night now because it’s always tricky there,” Peaks added.

“It’s a long trip on a Tuesday evening when the boys have been at work all day but we have proven this week that if you prepare right and are willing to put a shift in then you can pick up points.”