Scarborough 0 Rushden & Diamonds 1

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

23rd October 1999 – McCain Stadium (Attendance: 1702)

Rushden Team: Turley, Brady, Bradshaw, Peters, Warburton, Butterworth, McElhatton, Hamsher, Town, Collins, Underwood.
Substitutes: Mills, Burgess, Bertocchi, Wooding, De Souza.

Diamonds Scorers: Collins 21 mins.

Webmasters MoM:

Diamonds travelled up to Scarborough on the Friday knowing that a win the next day at the McCain Stadium would keep them on top of the Conference table whatever happened elsewhere. A walk on the beach in the morning put the players in a great mood to go out and “do the business” in the afternoon. Brian Talbot was able to name an un-changed side, with Andy Burgess earning a place on the bench having fully recovered from the nasty injury suffered in pre-season against Raunds.

Diamonds seem most susceptible early on in the half, first or second, and today was no exception with Scarborough having the first chance of the game after two minutes, a shot on the turn from the edge of the box which flew over Billy Turley’s crossbar. The first corner of the game went to Diamonds after five minutes, but the keeper gathered the resultant kick easily. Chances were looking slim as the game progressed with most of the action being played in midfield, however on 14 minutes John Hamsher fed Collins down the right hand side, Collins cut the ball back for Brady who shot across goal but the keeper did just enough to push the ball wide. Just seven minutes later Diamonds took the lead. David Town had a shot on goal which deflected back to Jon Brady on the edge of the box. Brady shot at goal but the shot was deflected to Collins who slotted the ball calmly past the Scarborough keeper. From here on in the main action continued in midfield as Macca and Butts fought for supremacy with the Scarborough midfield. Late into injury time in the first half Scarborough had their best chance to equalize, a header in front of goal that went just wide of Turley’s right hand post.

The second half started similarly to the first with Scarborough attacking and putting a great cross into the Diamonds box dangerously, but Billy Turley was there to help the ball clear. The first booking of the game came after 55 minutes and went to a Scarborough player for a trip on the elusive Jon Brady. Just five minutes later the Scarborough centre half was stretchered off after a collision in Boro’s penalty area. With Diamonds looking fairly comfortable Brian Talbot was able to make a substitution, young Gary Mills coming on for Butts. David Town had a chance to extend Diamonds lead on 75 minutes when he shot towards goal but the keeper saved well. Diamonds continued to look for the safety cushion of a second goal, with a Jon Brady free-kick after 76 minutes from 25 yards rising just over the bar, and on 82 minutes a shot from Macca from outside the box that went just wide of the post. With seven minutes left Brian Talbot took off David Town who once again had worked tirelessly upfront, and brought on Miquel De Souza for additional pace. Scarborough almost sneaked an equalizer in the last five minutes when on 86 minutes they had a chance with a volley from the edge of the box which fell straight to the reliable Billy Turley, and on 92 minutes a dangerous cross sent in to the Diamonds box was superbly punched away and to safety by Turley. Sandwiched in between these chances was a chance for De Souza who went through on goal, but his shot went agonisingly wide of the far post with the keeper beaten.

So another great three points for Diamonds in their travels, from what on paper would have been one of the hardest venues to come to this season. Next at Nene Park is the distraction from Conference football of the F.A.Cup game against Scunthorpe next Friday evening. A great game is in prospect but I am sure that most Diamonds supporters will be looking a bit further ahead, the following Tuesday in fact, when Diamonds travel up the road to Nuneaton Borough for a top of the table clash of immense importance. Lets hope for a great turnout of support for the Diamonds as was seen at Scarborough today, which was appreciated by Brian Talbot and the players. The support was magnificent and loud throughout the game.