Rushden & Diamonds 1 Yeovil Town 2

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

4th November 2000 – Nene Park (Attendance: 5283)

Diamonds Scorers: Jackson

Webmasters MoM: Mustafa (Never Gave Up)

Match Report by David

The big stage was set for Diamonds’ biggest test in the league this season, against 1st placed Yeovil Town. With only one point separating the two teams, Diamonds could have taken over the leading position in this top-of-the-table clash.

The Diamonds dictated the pace early on and were nearly rewarded with an early goal. Yeovil’s Tom White handled on the edge of the right-hand side of the box. Paul Underwood curled his free-kick round the wall, but the ball whizzed inches past the post. Diamonds continued the pressure and Jackson teased the defence on several occasions, but his progress was halted by some strong challenges.

Yeovil then took control and created some early chances of their own. On 17 minutes, Yeovil had the first real chance of the match, but Gary Setchell blocked Warren Patmore’s shot. Minutes later the Diamonds pressed with a counter-attack, Simon Wormull heading the ball over his marker on the right wing and latching onto the ball as he brushed him aside. He continued his run deep into the Yeovil half, running towards the centre of the pitch towards the penalty area. He spotted Justin Jackson to his right and measured his pass beautifully. A slight hesitation by the Diamonds’ leading goalscorer inside the area gave the Yeovil defence time to get back into position. Jackson struck his shot straight at the keeper, which he comfortably saved.

The first booking of the match came after 25 minutes when Yeovil’s Ben Smith slid in from behind, taking Gary Butterworth’s ankles after Gary had played the ball. Both teams continued to play the ball around and after 30 minutes played, Yeovil had another good chance to score. Warren Patmore’s shot from 6 yards, came off of the underside of the crossbar, back into the danger zone. Gary Butterworth was first to the ball and he cleared it out of play for a corner. Soon after, Jean-Michel Sigere came on for the injured Duane Darby (Hamstring).

Gary Setchell had the next Diamonds chance from 18 yards out, but his shot went well wide of Pennock’s goal. Moments later, Warren Patmore took the lead for Yeovil after he found himself unmarked in penalty area, he cheekily chipped the ball high over the on-rushing Turley into the back of the net. The Diamonds pressed, but couldn’t make the final ball count.

HALF TIME

The Diamonds started the second half much brighter, Jean-Michel Sigere having the first chance of the half, as he carved himself an opening, but shooting straight at Pennock. Moments later Simon Wormull had a similar chance, but his shot was well wide of the goal.

Diamonds had a clear penalty chance turned down by the referee after 53 minutes, as Justin Jackson was brought down just inside the area. The referee waving play-on as he thought that the defender had won the ball.

Diamonds’ lack of domination in the midfield proved to be a major factor in both halves, giving Yeovil more possession and creating more chances. Brian Talbot replaced Simon Wormull with Jon Brady.

On 70 minutes, Jackson scored the equaliser after Pennock had parried Sigere’s venomous strike. The Diamonds continued to surge forward, but were unable to press home their advantage!. Yeovil matched the Diamonds play and were rewarded with a penalty after Warren Patmore’s goal bound header was cleared off the line by the hand of Jon Brady. Brady was sent off for deliberate handball, and Darren Way converted the resulting penalty. Soon after, Brian Talbot swapped Setchell for Burgess, who found it difficult to settle into the game as the clock ticked away.

On 85 minutes, the referee and his assistant missed a trip on Jim Rodwell on the edge of his own penalty area and Yeovil’s Barrington Belgrave almost made it 3-1, but his shot went just past the post.

Still a long way to go in this season, but Yeovil now have the upperhand – 4 points clear and a game in hand. Diamonds will now prepare for their next match against Doncaster Rovers away and hopefully put this disappointing result behind them.

Team: 1.Turley 2.Mustafa 3.Underwood 4.Mills 5.Rodwell 6.Warburton 7.Butterworth 8.Wormull 9.Jackson 10.Darby 11.Setchell