Peaks feels 'hard done by' as Diamonds suffer first league defeat

AFC Rushden & Diamonds were edged out at Bromsgrove Sporting
AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Andy PeaksAFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Andy Peaks
AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Andy Peaks

Andy Peaks admitted he felt a big “hard done by” as AFC Rushden & Diamonds slipped to their first defeat of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central season.

A 14th-minute goal from Michael Taylor proved to be the difference as Diamonds were beaten 1-0 at Bromsgrove Sporting.

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But Peaks felt the final scoreline didn’t quite tell the full story, although he admitted his team weren’t “clinical” enough in front of goal.

“I am disappointed to come away with nothing,” the Diamonds boss said.

“We knew it would be difficult but we more than matched them in most parts of the game and, on chances, I would say we had more than them.

“We had the Hitchin game (which Diamonds won 7-1) when everything we hit went in and this time it wouldn’t. It’s frustrating that you get all your goals and bits of luck in one game.

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“Bromsgrove are a good team and, first and foremost, I want us to put a shift in and I want us to be in the game and we were more than in it.

“I just feel a bit hard done by to come out of it with nothing to show.

“Their goalkeeper has certainly had to make more saves than Richard Walton had to.

“We had good spells but we just lacked a bit of quality in the final third and we certainly weren’t clinical enough.”

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Diamonds now have a free week to prepare for next Saturday’s home clash with Hednesford Town.

And, despite the first five league games delivering only six points while Diamonds also had an early exit from the FA Cup, Peaks believes there are reasons for optimism.

“We’ve not picked loads of points up but we’ve now only been beaten once in the league,” he added.

“Barring the Newark game in the FA Cup and the first half against Barwell, I have been pleased with how we have played.

“I am pleased with the squad, I think it’s taking shape and I am convinced we will get stronger as we go along like we always do.”