Hednesford Town 0 Rushden & Diamonds 1

Match Report courtesy of Unofficial Rushden & Diamonds Website (1997-2001)

Vauxhall Conference

23.03.98 – Keys Park (Attendance 1342)

Diamonds Team Smith, Wooding, Bradshaw, Mison, Cramman, Whyte, Hamsher, Cooper, Foster(Sub Mehew 72min), Collins, Underwood – subs: Capone, Rawle.

Webmaster Man of the Match Mark Smith.

John Hamsher scored a 14th minute goal for Rushden & Diamonds away at Hednesford. Most of the rest of the match had the Diamonds defending, and once again the man of the match and hero, Mark Smith often had to defend his goal.

It was obvious that the Diamond’s team have not given up the title just yet, and it was a shame the same effort could not have been displayed against Halifax on Saturday.

Darren Collins might have scored after only 5 minutes when the Hednesford goalkeeper managed to scoop Darren’s ten -yard chip from under the bar. However, 9 minutes later the home teams defence failed to clear a Tim Wooding’s corner, and John Hamsher blasted a 15 yard volley, which left the Hednesford goalkeeper helpless.

It was only great goalkeeping by Smith that prevented the home team to get on equal terms. A fierce shot from Hednesford’s Paul Carty was tipped over the bar, and Mark’s body stopped a powerful header from Delton Francis from going into the net. Later he came off best in a one-to-one again with Carty, after Francis had created an opening.

Darren Bradshaw and Chris Whyte held firm against Hednesford’s continuous attacking in the second half, and it became one way traffic, unfortunately it was all towards our goal. Hamsher saved the day for the Diamonds when he cleared off the goal line after a scramble from a corner.

Mark Cooper was an honourable replacement for the rested Butterworth, and hopefully this rest will enable Gary to return to the form that we have been accustomed to.

Unfortunately yellow cards were given to some of our regular sinners, namely : Mison, Collins, and Cooper, also Hamsher.