AFC Rushden & Diamonds Programmes V St Andrews 18/01/2014 | Page 20

RUSH V ST ANDREWS PROG

16/1/14

07:24

Page 20

LAST TIME AT
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS STARTED 2014 WITH A 1-0 VICTORY OVER BOSTON TOWN AT THE
DOG & DUCK. IT TOOK A GOAL FROM FAZEL KORIYA TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK AFTER 71
MINUTES AS HE FLICKED HOME A JOE HENDERSON HEADER FROM CLOSE RANGE.
With the Poachers looking far more confident than they had in the game at Tattershall Road in December,
both sides had their share of possession in the first hour, but as the visitors faded the Diamonds got their
goal and had several good chances to increase their lead in the last quarter of the game.
The game went ahead against the odds after sterling efforts by a team of volunteers to get the pitch playable
after the continual recent rainfall. Although heavily sanded, the pitch played remarkably well under the
circumstances.
After the fortnight break Diamonds manager Mark Starmer was without Arron Parkinson and Russ Dunkley, so
Joe Henderson moved to centre-back alongside Jamal Clarke, and Fazel Koriya and Alfie Taylor formed a strike
partnership. Richard Bunting was fit to take a place on the bench, alongside Aaron King who had recovered from a
recent illness. Sam Brown took over the captain’s armband in the absence of Parkinson and Dunkley.
The Diamonds made good use of the better conditions on the flanks in the early stages, with an excellent early move
involving Merrill and Gearing on the right saw a cross from Gearing met on the volley by Fazel Koriya which forced
an excellent save from keeper Drury who tipped the effort over the bar. Koriya had an even better chance after 17
minutes when Joe Henderson started another move down the right and Gearing and Merrill again combined to find
Fazel Koriya in space in the area. Although his first touch was good he then dwelt rather too long and the opportunity
was lost.
In the game at Tattershall Road the Poachers had only created a single chance in the first period, whereas they
showed far more attacking intent in this game, winning a series of free kicks in the sort of position they had scored
from in the earlier game. Rather than trying to repeat the success of the ball pumped into the box they saw Daryl
Clare waste two of the chances trying a short ball routine which were easily dealt with, and then Kennedy fired
another high over the bar. Another Diamonds chance fell to Matt Gearing as a Ling cross was headed into the
air by a defender, but Gearing’s header was easily gathered by Drury. Gearing then set up Koriya with another
chance which he could only head over the bar.
The closest the visitors came in the first half was when a move down the left saw a low cross deflect off
Matt Gearing, looping up in the air over Tom Cross before striking the post. The half ended in some
confusion, as Brad Harris and Matt Kennedy tangled near the dugouts after the ball had gone, and so
referee Gregory had to take advice from his linesman on what had occurred. It initially appeared he
might be about to book Jamal Clarke, who had acted as “peacemaker”, but the two “culprits”
were correctly identified and shown yellow cards.

HALF-TIME: AFC