Sandy says fatigue a key factor as Diamonds suffer pre-season loss at Rugby Town
Elliot Sandy felt fatigue got the better of his AFC Rushden & Diamonds players as they suffered a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Rugby Town on Tuesday night.
A goal on the hour from Rivel Mardenborough was the difference between the sides at Butlin Road, with Sandy admitting Rugby deserved their victory.
Diamonds went into the match with pretty much the same starting line-up as they did in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stamford, where they also played the second half with only 10 men following a red card for skipper Joel Nketia.
And Sandy felt the exertions of those matches, plus a tough pre-season to date, finally caught up with his side.
There is also the fact Diamonds are still more than two weeks away from their opening competitive match, while Rugby kick-off their United Counties League campaign this Saturday, and they were match-ready.
"I am disappointed with our performance, we looked leggy and we looked lethargic," Sandy told @AFCRD.
"We have had pretty much the same 11 from Saturday where they pretty much played 90 minutes, and then they have to play 90 again with a few knocks and injuries.
"It looked like we were tired, and Rugby are a really good team.
"They were on the front foot, they were hungry, and they have the first competitive game on Saturday.
"They are ready, chomping at the bit, their fans are getting behind them, and it was treated like a league match.
"Their bench was going mental with the win because it leads them nicely into the season. We are a good side, and they have beaten us quite convincingly.
"I was disappointed in our quality, but it is pre-season for a reason and we have two-and-a-half weeks to get things right."
"The players worked hard and gave everything, but the quality wasn't there.
"We made it a tough pre-season for a reason, and I don't really look at results.
"We are building people up, getting connections going, and we can reset a bit now going into the game on Friday, and we can freshen things up a little bit."
Diamonds are back in pre-season friendly action on Friday night when they entertain Step 3 side Banbury United to Hayden Road (ko 7.45pm).