Poor defending proves costly as AFC Rushden & Diamonds are dumped out of the Trophy

Diamonds' return to competitive action proved short lived after they were well beaten at Hayden Road
Luke Fairlamb cuts a dejected figure following AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 5-1 defeat to Peterborough Sports in the FA Trophy. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images PhotographyLuke Fairlamb cuts a dejected figure following AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 5-1 defeat to Peterborough Sports in the FA Trophy. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images Photography
Luke Fairlamb cuts a dejected figure following AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 5-1 defeat to Peterborough Sports in the FA Trophy. Pictures courtesy of Hawkins Images Photography

Andy Peaks was left furious with the way his AFC Rushden & Diamonds defended as their return to action proved short lived.

Diamonds were on the end of a 5-1 beating at the hands of Pitching In Southern League Premier Central rivals Peterborough Sports in the first round of Buildbase FA Trophy at a rain-swept Hayden Road last night (Tuesday).

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Sports raced into a 2-0 lead with Maniche Sani and Dion Sembie-Ferris scoring from early set-pieces and, despite Diamonds enjoying plenty of possession after that, they conceded again just before the break when Alex Collard put through his own net.

Diamonds pulled a goal back when Alex Collard's header found the netDiamonds pulled a goal back when Alex Collard's header found the net
Diamonds pulled a goal back when Alex Collard's header found the net

Sani made it 4-0 soon after the restart and, although Collard pulled one back with a thumping header from a corner, the game was up when Jordan Nicholson hit the fifth for Sports.

The final scoreline was a bit harsh on Diamonds, who created plenty of opportunities and saw a lot of the ball on a tough playing surface.

But Peaks admitted there were too many of his team who were “not at the races”.

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“I am really disappointed with the result,” the Diamonds boss said.

Tom Lorraine battles for possession with Sports' Maniche SaniTom Lorraine battles for possession with Sports' Maniche Sani
Tom Lorraine battles for possession with Sports' Maniche Sani

“Some of the performances were really good and others were nowhere near good enough.

“Unfortunately, against a team like Peterborough Sports who are clinical, you can’t have four or five players not at the races.

“Collectively, we were good but individually there were too many mistakes.

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“They score a lot of goals and they are a good team, I have said that publicly to a lot of people. But the way we set up to counteract the way they play worked completely. However, some of the goals we gave away, I can’t legislate for that.

“The first two are from corners and you can’t give goals away like that against anyone.

“We were 2-0 down and worked our way back into the game but we couldn’t get one back and they nicked one just on half-time.

“And they nicked one just after half-time so from being 2-0 down and what could possibly have been 2-1, we are 4-0 down and you aren’t going to claw that back against a team like them.

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“We have to defend better. You can’t give four or five goals away against anyone at any level and expect to get anything out of games.

“I have said over the years how good we have been at getting blocks in and, with five minutes to go, they were still laying their bodies on the line even though they were 5-1 up and we need to do more of that.”

Diamonds are set for a further spell without any matches now after it was confirmed last week that the three Trident Leagues - the Southern League, Northern Premier League and Isthmian League - would continue the pause in fixtures following a vote by clubs.

Of the 224 clubs voting across the three leagues, 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in matches following the introduction of the Government’s new tiered restrictions to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

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With 76 per cent of clubs, some of which are currently unable to stage matches in front of crowds due to being in Tier 3, voting in favour of the proposition, it means the three leagues will not sanction fixtures at this stage.

The situation is set to be reviewed in line with the Government’s first review of the tier allocations and restrictions next Wednesday (December 16) and then on December 30.

But it could be the new year before league matches resume.