AFC rushden and diamonds

Scores, live updates, discussion etc. on Yeltz matches
DJ
Yeltz Forum Member
Posts: 405
Joined: 04 May 2011, 20:51

Re: AFC rushden and diamonds

Post by DJ » 24 Feb 2019, 12:52

Halesowen Town 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1

Halesowen remain deep in relegation trouble after promotion-chasing Rushden grabbed all three points through Ben Diamond’s second-half winner.

The much-changed Yeltz introduced new loan signings Samir Nabi and James Spruce for the must-win game, but continued to lack a vital cutting edge. By contrast, the visitors remain unbeaten since New Year’s Day and moved up to fourth place in the league table.

The first season against a Rushden team since 1996 inevitably evoked a reminder of Halesowen’s highest ever league finish that season when Andy Bradley (Sheila’s son) helped the Yeltz to a 2-1 victory in front of almost 3,500 fans.

Home captain Kieran Morris made an excellent last-ditch challenge to stop Tom Lorraine on a chase in front of goal after 11 minutes and Diamond placed a free header straight at home goalkeeper Dan Platt five minutes later. As Halesowen briefly threatened, Alex Collard was on hand in the six-yard box to clear Callum Coyle’s 28th minute free-kick and Jack Till’s 32nd minute effort was collected by Diamonds’ goalkeeper Ben Heath.

The Diamonds had a good spell before the interval when Lorraine headed against the bar from close range after 34 minutes and a dangerous 41st minute cross from Sam Johnson flew across the face of goal. Declan Rogers curled a 42nd minute free-kick over the bar and Collard headed over the bar from a corner in first-half injury time.

There was plenty of effort from the hosts in the second-half, but the shot-shy Yeltz failed to trouble visiting goalkeeper Heath as the Diamonds went on to take all three points.

Platt kept out a 25 yard shot from Rogers with his chest in the 54th minute and collected Collard’s header a minute later. Rogers then planted a 25 yard deflected free-kick past the post after 59 minutes and the visitors claimed the winner from the resulting corner as Collard kept the ball alive and captain Liam Dolman headed back across goal for DIAMOND to nod home from close range for his namesake team.

The visitors protected their vital lead by repelling Halesowen’s late urgency with a 68th minute shot from Lawton deflected away for a corner and the in-form visitors were in no mood to surrender their lead as they then defended two further corners deep in injury time.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Sam Griffiths, Tyler Weir, Ivor Lawton (James Spruce 75), Kieran Morris (c), Callam Mendez-Jones, Callum Coyle, Samir Nabi (Joe Fitzpatrick 61), Lee Hughes, Jack Till, Aaron Gilpin. Subs Not Used: Matt Curley, Jack Kelly, Danny Bragoli.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds: Ben Heath; Zac Reynolds, Jack Ashton, Alex Collard, Liam Dolman (c), Nathan Hicks, Declan Rogers, Jack Westbrook, Tom Lorraine (Jack Bowen 79), Ben Diamond, Sam Johnson (John Dean 75). Subs Not Used: Ben Farrell, Ben Acquaye, Joe Curtis.

Referee: Robert Hathaway Attendance: 428
Booked: Gilpin (41), Lawton (41), Coyle (70)
‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by Sue & Dave: Ivor Lawton

Post Reply