Peaks wants AFC Rushden & Diamonds to 'keep the belief'

Diamonds are back on home soil after suffering their first league defeat of the season last weekend
Luke Fairlamb runs at the Bromsgrove Sporting defence during AFC Rushden & Diamonds' narrow 1-0 loss last week. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images PhotographyLuke Fairlamb runs at the Bromsgrove Sporting defence during AFC Rushden & Diamonds' narrow 1-0 loss last week. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images Photography
Luke Fairlamb runs at the Bromsgrove Sporting defence during AFC Rushden & Diamonds' narrow 1-0 loss last week. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images Photography

Andy Peaks has urged his AFC Rushden & Diamonds players to “keep the belief” as they bid to bounce back from their first defeat of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central season.

Diamonds were edged out 1-0 at Bromsgrove Sporting last weekend, the defeat coming after they had claimed three draws and a win from their first four matches.

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Boss Peaks was adamant that his team deserved more from their trip to the West Midlands.

Tom Lorraine wins an aerial battle in Diamonds' clash at BromsgroveTom Lorraine wins an aerial battle in Diamonds' clash at Bromsgrove
Tom Lorraine wins an aerial battle in Diamonds' clash at Bromsgrove

And he insists his players have no reason to feel down in the dumps as they prepare to take on Hednesford Town at Hayden Road tomorrow (Saturday).

“We will play a lot worse than we did last Saturday and win games,” the Diamonds manager said.

“We have to keep the belief. The players were noticeably down at the end of the match last week because they were disappointed.

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“But there’s no point in feeling down and we will have had a full week on the training ground to be ready for a hard game this weekend.

“We have proved that when we are on it, we are a good match for anyone and that’s all we’ve ever aimed to be and we certainly had a right go at Bromsgrove.

“But I have been around long enough to know that I would be a lot more concerned if the performances weren’t good and we weren’t creating chances.”

Hednesford have endured a somewhat disappointing start to the campaign but they did pick up their first win of the season last weekend when they beat Stratford Town 4-2.

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And Peaks knows the clash represents another tough examination for him and his squad.

“They had a good result last Saturday against Stratford and I am sure they will come to our ground looking for another one,” he added.

“I look down the fixtures and there are a lot of good clubs in there and a lot of big clubs.

“We knew that from the start, it’s no different to last year and ultimately it’s up to us to prepare properly for each game and give a good account of ourselves.

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“We did that last weekend despite the result and I am looking for more of the same.”

The game, like every other at Hayden Road for the time being, is all-ticket with season tickets being valid for league matches.

All other tickets can be purchased via TicketSource by visiting the website www.ticketsource.co.uk/afcrd while supporters can also now book their matchday tickets over the phone with TicketSource on 0333 666 3366: