Sandy delighted as Diamonds progress in FA Cup with hard-fought win at Desborough
Elliot Sandy was delighted to see his AFC Rushden & Diamonds side overcome a battling Desborough Town 3-0 on Saturday to progress to the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.
It was Step 5 entertaining Step 4, and United Counties League Premier Division South high-flyers Town gave as good as they got for the opening hour of a hard-fought and scrappy contest.
But with the score at 0-0 in the 64th-minute, Desborough midfielder Dom Allen-Ledgeway was sent off for a foul on Max Prickett-Reed, and from there on Diamonds took control.
They went ahead on 69 minutes through a Bruno Andrade header, before sealing the win with two late goals from substitute Jordan O'Brien.
"I am delighted, because it was all about winning. That's all that mattered," Sandy told @AFCRD.
"Desborough are used to winning, they are flying in their league, and with all due respect it is a horrible place to go.
"They know how to play the pitch really well, they made it horrible, made it dogged, and there was no real quality in the game.
"It was end-to-end without anybody really carving anything open, but we managed to weather things and the red card changes the game in our favour.
"I was just glad we were able to capitalise on it."
Sandy was in no doubt Allen-Ledgeway's red was a deserved one, but he did have some sympathy for a player who is dual-registered with Desborough and Diamonds.
"It was a definite red card," said Sandy. "Dom's a really good player and he is actually registered to us as well, so we really like him.
"I feel for him as a young lad. Max has had a poor touch which has meant the tackle is there, and he has accidentally gone over the ball.
"It was studs up, high, and it was pretty obvious it was a definite red card."
Sandy was also delighted to see O'Brien make such an impact off the bench after he replaced the injured Jack Daldy in the first half.
"I am pleased for Jordan with everything that has been going on," said the Diamonds boss.
"To come on and score two great goals, it is a real two fingers up to the gaffer and that's what we want!"
Diamonds now have a free midweek before they go to Grantham Town in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division on Saturday (ko 3pm).