Peaks wants a big opening shift from his Diamonds

On paper, AFC Rushden & Diamonds look to have one of the toughest tests on the opening day of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central season this weekend.

Diamonds return to competitive action for the first time since March when they head to Nuneaton Borough for the campaign’s curtain-raiser tomorrow (Saturday).

Nuneaton will be amongst the favourites to gain automatic promotion this season after making some impressive signings during the summer.

And while Diamonds boss Andy Peaks knows it represents a difficult early examination for his team, he is hoping they can repeat their efforts from back in January when a fine performance saw them claim a 1-0 success at the same opponents.

“On paper we couldn’t have got a much tougher start,” Peaks said.

“Everyone knows what a big club Nuneaton is and they had a lot of good players there last season who took a while to gel and I know they have signed some good ones this summer as well.

“If you put that in the melting pot then it means they are going to be a good team.

“It’s a very tough opening-day game but nothing is won or lost on the first day.

“As far as we are concerned, I want us to go there and put a right shift in like I always ask them to do.

“I want us to be organised, I want it to mean something to the players and if they put a shift in there’s no reason we can’t come away with something.

“We went there last season and played fantastically well and won 1-0 so I am looking for a repeat of that.”

Peaks admits pre-season has been “very stop-start” for Diamonds.

And while he concedes the preparations have been far from ideal, he believes every club will be in the same boat.

“I must admit it’s not been a great pre-season for us if I am being honest,” he added.

“Whether that’s to do with certain things being so forced when it comes to the preparation on matchday or what, I’m not sure.

“I suppose those are all excuses but we have had people being away because they haven’t taken summer breaks and they are now taking days here and there.

“It’s been very stop-start but it’s not an excuse because I am sure a lot of clubs are in the same situation and I respect the players for wanting time with their families.

“It hasn’t felt quite right but on Saturday I think everyone is starting on a level playing field.”

Diamonds will be straight back into action next Tuesday night when they take on Newark in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Home ties have been hard to come by for Peaks’ team in recent years and while the manager is delighted to finally get one at Hayden Road, he voiced a word of caution about the opponents who ply their trade in the Premier Division of the Midland Football League.

“I think we have had some terrible FA Cup draws in the last few years and a lot of people have said to me that it’s great we are at home,” Peaks said.

“But Newark do have some good players. They have lads who have come across from the likes of Grantham, Ilkeston and Hednesford so they will be strong.

“It’s definitely nice to be at home on a Tuesday night as opposed to travelling and it’s really nice to be at home in the FA Cup.

“But it’s a game we will have to work really hard in if we are to get through."