Room for improvement as Diamonds hit the road

Andy Peaks is hoping for an improvement from AFC Rushden & Diamonds when they head to Gresley this weekend.
Andy Peaks is seeking an improvement from AFC Rushden & Diamonds when they head to GresleyAndy Peaks is seeking an improvement from AFC Rushden & Diamonds when they head to Gresley
Andy Peaks is seeking an improvement from AFC Rushden & Diamonds when they head to Gresley

Diamonds will be looking to make it 14 games without defeat in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South after they extended their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against Market Drayton Town at the Dog & Duck last weekend before their Integro League Cup clash with Corby Town on Tuesday night was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Diamonds have hauled themselves into contention for the play-off places with the fine run that goes back to the first week of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Peaks insists there are areas that need to improve after he was left unhappy by last Saturday’s outcome.

“We were disappointed after last weekend and when that happens, you just look forward to the next game,” the Diamonds boss said.

“It was supposed to be on Tuesday but now we are fully focused on Gresley.

“I am definitely looking for an improved performance.

“It’s another tough game and we will have to play a lot better than we did last weekend if we are to get anything from it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have watched the Market Drayton game again and while we weren’t at our best, we created enough chances to win. We have to be more clinical but we do need to pass the ball better.

“Sometimes you have to grind out a result because no team can play well week in and week out.

“I suppose, in a way, we did work hard to get something out last weekend but I really want to see us grinding out victories at home when we aren’t at our best.”

Diamonds and Gresley produced one of the best games seen at the Dog & Duck so far this season when they shared a 3-3 draw back in September.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Diamonds have gone from strength-to-strength since then while Gresley have slipped into mid-table.

“Gresley have had a bit of a blip recently but they have some good players,” Peaks added.

“The game we had with them earlier in the season is probably one of the most exciting I have been involved in as a manager.

“But we will have to defend a lot better than we did in that game and we will have to attack better than we did last Saturday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have been doing well away from home and we will be looking to continue that.”

Diamonds and Corby will attempt to play their Integro League Cup tie for a fourth time next Tuesday night at the Dog & Duck while Peaks’ team will now face Lincoln United in a home league game a week tomorrow (December 10).

Diamonds will now travel to Lincoln on Tuesday, December 20 while the matches postponed due to their cup commitments this season have also been re-arranged.

They will host Northwich Victioria on Saturday, April 1 and will head to Leek Town a week later on April 8.