Kidderminster 3 Rushden & Diamonds 0

By Steven

It proved to be unlucky 13 for the Diamonds as we fell to defeat at the hands of Kidderminster this afternoon. But their could be no complaints as the Harriers tore us apart with an excellent second half display

It brought the Diamonds unbeaten run to an abrupt end and it turned out to be a miserably day for the club as we were sent down the Third Division table following this result.

These two teams have met plenty of time before in the past with the Diamonds having beaten Kidderminster on three occasions.

But if we were going to make it four times then we would have to do it without Duane Darby. That was the big surprise for the Diamonds ahead of kick-off with the clubs leading marksmen falling the victim to stomach pains the night before.

That left the gap open for Peter Thomson to partner Scott Partridge in attack while Gary Setchell was also included on the left hand side of midfield in the absence of Andrew Burgess.

This was going to be another tough test for the Diamonds. Kidderminster was currently going through a good spell themselves having won their last three encounters.

Jan Molby’s side was hit by key injury problems in attack but their starting 11 included highly experienced Mark Blake and in midfield Dean Bennett.

Playing conditions were perfect at the ground; there could be no complaints at all about the surface and with weather just perfect all was set for an exciting game.

So off we go and the Diamonds made a fairly bright start with Setchell sending a perfect cross from the left, inside the first two minutes, but nobody in a yellow shirt could grab the vital touch.

Kidderminster were also enjoying some of the play in the opening five minutes but we was looking the brighter of the two sides as we made some clever runs down both flanks.

After a positive opening the game soon began to settle down and Ritchie Hanlon and Garry Butterworth were holding the middle of the park, as Kidderminster attacks were rare.

After 15 minutes: Kidderminster 0 Diamonds 0

Kidderminster won the first corner of the game on 15 minutes but it didn’t mount too much as both goalkeepers had yet to be tested.

Paul Underwood was the victim of a nasty challenge from Kidderminster midfielder Ritchie Appleby, which resulted in the midfielder receiving a yellow card as a result.

It took 23 minutes for the first shot of the game to arrive when Colin Larkin fired a low effort from outside the penalty area but Turley got down well to make an important stop.

That chance seemed to spur the home side on and they soon broke forward again and if the bounce had been a little bit kinder, Bo Henriksen could have caused the Diamonds further trouble when he found space in the penalty area.

Paul Hall found himself with time just outside the Kidderminster area and after bringing the ball down he hit a shot but it flew straight into the arms of Stuart Brock.

But just before the half hour mark the Diamonds fell behind when Larkin sent a low across the face of the goal and Bennett stole in front of Andrew Sambrook to strike from close range.

After 30 minutes: Kidderminster 1 Diamonds 0

The Diamonds needed a quick response but it was Kidderminster who continued to control the game, finding gaps in our midfield, although they were failing to trouble Turley.

Partridge thought he should have had a penalty on 36 minutes when Abdou Sall sent him tumbling to the ground, but the referee was having none of it and let the game continue.

Bennett nearly had his second of the game when he managed to find his way around Peters but the Diamonds defender managed to redeem himself by getting a vital touch to send it away for a corner.

Diamonds chances were rare and after such a bright start we could seem to find away through our opponents defence as Brock was having a relatively quiet afternoon between the Kidderminster sticks.

Hanlon saw his ‘David Beckham style’ free kick well saved by Brock right at the end of the half but the Diamonds needed something in the second half if they were going to find a way back into the game and as the half time whistle went Kidderminster were well deserved their lead.

Half Time: Kidderminster 1 Diamonds 0

No changes were made to either side at the interval as the Diamonds had 45 minutes to protect their unbeaten league run that had extended to 12 games.

But the home side made an excellent start and inside the first minute of the second half they won a corner and although it didn’t mount to anything, signs were clear that Kidderminster was not going to sit on a one goal lead.

After a long delay, as Hanlon and Barry Hunter received treatment following a clash of head, the game restarted and Jan Mobly’s team still remained the more dangerous.

Larkin forced a good save from Turley on 50 minutes went his powerful header nearly crept inside the left hand post.

Hanlon glanced a header, from a Hall free kick, just wide of the target as the Diamonds tried to find their way back in the game.

Larkin nearly found Kidderminster’s second of the game when he outpaced Sambrook and just fractionally failed to beat Turley when the Diamonds goalkeeper came running out of his goal.

After 60 minutes: Kidderminster 1 Diamonds 0 

The Diamonds were still failing to create any real good chances and it surely wasn’t going to be long before Brian Talbot would make some necessary adjustment – and not before long Brian did just that. It was a double change with Thomson, who has a quiet game, and Setchell making way for Robert Duffy and Jon Brady.

Time was ticking for the Diamonds and somebody needed to produce something special if we were going to salvage something from this match.

Hall nearly stole a goal from nowhere after a mix up in the Kidderminster defence but he failed to hit the target after he ran too wide of the goal.

After 75 minutes: Kidderminster 1 Diamonds 0

Turley made a fantastic double save from Larkin and Bennett on 75 minutes to keep the Diamonds in the game but it still seemed unlikely that we would find that all important goal.

It looked as if the one goal was going to be enough for Kidderminster but the Diamonds were refusing to throw in the towel.

We threw men forward at every opportunity and Brian made his last change as Daniel Talbot was called into action, replacing Hall.

But the game was over as a contest with two quick goals, one following the other, as Blake stole in the grab their first on 85 minutes and Bennett grabbing his second just a few seconds latter.

Full Time: Kidderminster 3 Diamonds 0

Kidderminster: Brock, Stamps, Hinton, Williams, Clarkson, Bennett, Blake, Sall, Larkin (Shilton 86), Appleby (Ducros 86), Henriksen (Corbett 86)

Subs not used: Murphy, Joy

Bookings: Appleby (21), Bo Henriksen (61)

Diamonds: Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Setchell (Brady 64), Hall (Talbot 82), Hanlon, Sambrook, Thomson (Duffy 64), Hunter

Subs not used: Pennock, Rodwell

Bookings: Hanlon (53), Butterworth (56)

Referee: Mr Phil Joslin

Rushden & Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

At times this game looked as if it would have a hatful of goals but in fair reflection, a point apiece was probably the right result of an entertaining evening at Nene Park as the Diamonds were held to a goalless draw against Scunthorpe.
There were plenty of chances for both sides to nick a goal but some good goalkeeping from both goalkeepers kept the scores all equal.

This was an encounter between two of the most inform teams of the division. The Diamonds were looking to notch their 12th league game without defeat while Scunthorpe had only lost one in their last 13.

Brian Talbot was handed a massive boost ahead of kick off with the news that Andy Burgess passed a late fitness test which meant that the side remained unchanged from that beat which Worcester City in the F.A. Cup on Saturday.

But on the bench for the Diamonds was Peter Thomson while Robert Duffy was also included as a substitute following his impressive performance when he was called into action against Worcester.

Scunthorpe, two points ahead of the Diamonds in the Nationwide Third Division going into the match, included experienced midfielder Peter Beagrie and their inform striker Martin Carruthers, who had notched nine goals this season.

It was a fantastic start for the Diamonds when Duane Darby nearly struck in the opening 10 seconds, firing a low effort just past Tom Evans’ right hand post.

Beagrie sent a free kick that produced a fine save from Billy Turley while Scott Partridge had an excellent chance for the Diamonds just moments later in an exciting opening to the game.

After 15 minutes Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

Both teams were enjoying a fair amount of possession in an entertaining game but as for clear-cut chances neither side could find that cutting edge in front of goal.

After such a good opening both teams failed to find any shape and pattern to their play and neither goalkeeper was having to many troubles early on.

Scunthorpe was edging the play as we approached the half-an-hour mark but Brian Laws’ side could not put any pressure on our defence or on Turley’s goal.

Garry Butterworth received a nasty whack on the leg following a wicked challenge from Richard Kell, an incident which saw the Scunthorpe midfielder pick up a yellow card.

After 30 minutes: Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

Chances were few and far between but Turley was forced to tip the ball over the crossbar following another dangerous free kick from the impressive Beagrie.

The referee was throwing yellow cards around like they were Christmas cards and when Andrew Sambrook received a booking on 37 minute he was the fourth booking of the game.

Partridge produced our best effort of the game when he turned past a Scunthorpe defender to fire a shot straight into the arms of Evans.

And on 41 minutes Hodges sent a swerving low effort, that deflect off Paul Underwood, towards the Diamonds goal and Turley produced an excellent one handed save to deny the visitors the lead.

All of a sudden Scunthorpe were looking the better team and Alex Calvo-Garcia sent an effort over the target that failed to trouble Turley.

But as the half time whistle went no goals was a fair reflection of the play so far although both managers would have been satisfied off a clean sheet.  

Half Time: Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

So into the second half and there was no changes at the interval for either side and Scunthorpe made the brighter start of the two sides as Torpey headed wide at the far post following an in swinging corner.

Scunthorpe started the second half brightly and the Diamonds were firmly on the back foot as the visitors won a number of corners in the opening five minutes of the half.

Darby should have given the Diamonds the lead on 50 minutes when he fired over the crossbar, inside the six-yard penalty area, following an excellent cross from Mark Peters.

Ritchie Hanlon tried his luck from a long way out but his effort was always curling away from the Scunthorpe goal.

This game was certainly in the balance. At 0-0 both sides looked threatening although neither goalkeeper was being put under serious amounts of pressure.

Screams in the Peter de Banke Terrace appealed for a handball as the Diamonds thought they should have had a penalty on 58 minutes but the referee just waved away the protests.

After 60 minutes: Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

Turley produced the save of the match on 62 minutes. After Carruthers burst through his ball found Kell who should have found the net, but Turley stood firm and made a vital stop with his feet.

Partridge made an excellent chance for himself on 65 minutes when he picked the ball up deep inside the Diamonds half and ran through the Scunthorpe defence, twisting and turning, but Evans produces an excellent save.

The game suddenly found its early pace as it swung one way to the other with both team creating good efforts.

On 72 minutes Hall made a lovely break and his ball found Partridge. His square ball found the feet off Burgess, who done everything right but saw his effort cannon off the crossbar.

After 75 minutes Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

Chances were now flying in from the Diamonds but Scunthorpe were also having their fair share of opportunities.

Turley produced the save of the match in stoppage time when he tipped over a long range effort from Beagrie. And at the full time whistle a 0-0 was a fair result.

Full Time: Diamonds 0 Scunthorpe 0

Diamonds: Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby, Burgess, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

Subs not used: Brady, Pennock, Setchell, Thomson, Duffy

Bookings: Burgess (24), Sambrook (37), Hanlon (69).

Scunthorpe: Evans, Dawson, Stanton, Jackson, Hodges, Carruthers (Quailey 77), Torpey, Calvo-Garcia, Beagrie, McCombe, Kell.

Subs not used: Bradshaw, Sparrow, Brough, Bennion

Bookings: Kell (27), Torpey (32)

Referee: Mr M Jones

Attendance: 3,533

 

  
Diamonds   S’thorpe
3  Shot on Target 7 
7 Shot off Target 4 
4 Corners 11 
2 Offsides 2 
22 Free-Kicks 12 
3 Yellow Card 2 
0 Red Card 0 

Worcester City 0 Rushden & Diamonds 1

By Steven

If anybody though that today’s match was going to be easy for the Diamonds then you would be horribly wrong. The Diamonds were made to work for their passage into the Second Round of the FA Cup as Worcester did themselves proud going out by a single goal.

And it only took a marvellous free kick from Ritchie Hanlon deep into the second half to divide the two sides and Worcester could have certainly snatched something had their finishing been better in front of goal.

Despite chances being few and far between for Worcester their football gave them a standing ovation at the full time whistle from both sets of supporters and the Diamonds were given a real test by their non-league opponents.

The Diamonds arrived at Worcester in confident mood and were pleasantly surprised at the good playing surface that awaited them at their St George’s Lane ground.

Diamonds boss Brian Talbot named an unchanged line-up to that which won against Halifax Town last weekend, which meant that Duane Darby, so doubtful at the start of the week, partnered Scott Partridge in attack.

There was even better news for the Diamonds with Michael McElhatton named as a substitute and youngster Robert Duffy was also named on the bench.

This wasn’t going to be an easy task and Worcester fielded a strong line-up. In their starting 11 was Darren Bullock, who had a loan spell at the Diamonds, and experienced striker Phil Stant.

As the ground began to fill up there was a buzz amongst Worcester supporters as they thought they could spring a surprise, but the Diamonds were certainly up for the challenge.

So 3:00pm arrived and we were underway. Straight away, in the opening 20 seconds, Diamonds mounted an attack when Paul Hall burst down the wing but an infringement in the penalty area broke down that move.
But we made a very encouraging start in front of a healthy crowd although Worcester was pushing forward at every opportunity.

Partridge had a long-range effort for the Diamonds on eight minutes but it failed to trouble their goalkeeper Danny McDonnell, who had a important part to play for the visitors if they were going to cause an upset today.

We were experiencing plenty of possession in the opening 10 minutes but to their credit Worcester certainly settled in quickly and were showing no nerves, passing the ball comfortably.

Mark Peters and Barry Hunter were heavily involved for the Diamonds in the opening 15 minutes as the Dr Martens League side began to pour forward, although Billy Turley had yet to be tested.

After 15 minutes: Worcester 0 Diamonds 0

Worcester thought they should have had a penalty of 17 minutes when Andy Ellis was sent tumbling in the penalty area following a challenge from Barry Hunter but the referee simply waved away the appeals.

The home crowd were really getting behind their side every time they pushed football and this game was certainly the FA Cup with Worcester playing some excellent football.
 

Diamonds needed something to settle their nerves and they broke from a Worcester corner when Partridge played a cross into a dangerous position but Hanlon failed to connect with the final ball.

Hanlon an effort on 24 minutes but again he failed to connect properly with a long effort and McDonnell made a comfortable save.

It was an exciting opening 25 minutes with both teams playing good football and either side looked as if they could break the deadlock.

After 30 minutes: Worcester 0 Diamonds 0

Hanlon had the Diamonds best effort on 30 minutes when he fired a long-range effort just over the Worcester crossbar that would have beat McDonnell had it found the target.

Turley certainly wasn’t being put under any pressure but Worcester were still very much in this match. The Diamonds was not outplaying the home side and it was an impressive performance from our opponents.

Worcester created their best effort on 40 minutes. Mark Shepherd made a delightful run into the penalty area and his final ball found Stant, who managed to fire a shot over the cross with his back at goal.

As the half time whistle went Worcester would have been delighted with there first half performance and the Diamonds certainly had plenty of work to do if they were going to do the job on the first attempt

Half Time: Worcester 0 Diamonds 0

The Diamonds returned for the second half and Brian made no changes to his side keeping faith with the positive opening we made in the opening 10 minutes of the first half.

Worcester were given a warm reception by their fans when they arrived onto the field and they made the bright opening in the second half as Stant caused some early pressure.
Partridge had the Diamonds best effort five minutes into the second half when he forced a good save from McDonnell,  turning and shooting inside the penalty area.

Worcester were put under pressure in the opening five minutes of the second half and a good half time team talk may have been what we needed as we began to play some good football.

After 60 minutes: Worcester 0 Diamonds 0

We were looking threatening and this encounter was turning into a real F.A. Cup tie with the home fans getting behind their side and both teams playing some decent football.
This was turning into a real dogfight and Worcester kept pushing forward as a lot of the play took place in the middle of the field.

Burgess had a shot deflect by Worcester defender Allan Davies but from the resulting corner the Diamonds were unable to create a decent opportunity.

But after 67 minutes the Diamonds took the lead when Hanlon curled a delightful free kick into the corner of the Worcester net that left McDonnell no chance at all.

The goal certainly helped calm Diamond nerves and Partridge produced a wonderful flying save from McDonnell, who was having an impressive game for Worcester.

The home side was not lying down however and Worcester were certainly not out of the game and they continued to pile men forward as they tried to get back into the tie.

Duffy was introduced into the game on 71 minutes replacing Darby who had a quiet game for the Diamonds.

After 75 minutes: Worcester 0 Diamonds 1

Worcester were not out of this game and their first attempt on target came on 77 minutes when Paul Carty saw his curling effort well saved by Turley.

The Diamonds were temporally down to 10 men as Burgess took a nasty whack from a Worcester defender.

Burgess had to be replaced by Jon Brady as the midfielder limped off with an injury and Partridge had an opportunity to wrap the game up in the final five minutes but he hit his shot over the crossbar.

Five minutes of added time meant that Worcester still had time to get a vital goal to force a replay but Duffy had an excellent chance for the Diamonds but he failed to keep his shot on target.

Partridge had a goal disallowed for offside in the closing stages but this was going to be the Diamonds day and although it was not easy they held on to edge into the next round of the F.A Cup.

Worcester City: McDonnell, Davies, Jukes, Heeley, Weir, Carty, Shepherd, Ellis, Stant (Burrow 89), Bullock, Hyde (McFarlane 77).

Subs not used: Goodman, Woods, Wyatt

Diamonds: Turley, Underwood (Setchell 65), Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby (Duffy 71), Burgess(Brady 85), Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

Subs not used: Pennock, McElhatton

Booked: Hunter (40), Peters (86)

Booked: Bullock (10), Davies (18), Stant (65), Carty (66) 

Referee: Mr M.A. Cooper

Attendance: 3,313

Rushden & Diamonds 2 Halifax 1

By Steven

Even though this game won’t go down as one of the classics at Nene Park, Rushden & Diamonds did what was asked as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 with another victory against struggling Halifax Town.

But there was bad news for the Diamonds when Duane Darby was forced to go off with five minutes remaining of the first half with a head injury.

However nothing could take the gloss off another excellent victory for the Diamonds with goals coming from Scott Partridge and a debut strike from Peter Thomson giving them a 2-1 victory.

Diamonds boss Brian Talbot was given a huge boost prior to kick off with the return of Andy Burgess and Paul Underwood, who both passed late fitness tests.
The Diamonds were strong favourites going into the match with Halifax looking for their first win in ten games that has seen them tumble to the bottom of the Third Division.

Both teams got off to shaky start in the beautiful conditions at Nene Park with the Diamonds edging the opening five minutes with more of the possession.

It took eight minutes for the Diamonds to have their first effort on goal when Burgess twisted in the middle of the field but his shot flew over the Halifax crossbar.

Garry Butterworth nearly gave the Diamonds the lead on 12 minutes when his header came off the crossbar.

After 15 minutes: Diamonds 0 Halifax 0

Chances were few and far between as Halifax struggled to find their way through the Diamonds defence but after 18 minutes Neil Redfearn struck a low free kick that nearly deceived Billy Turley.

For a team struggling to find an kind of form, Halifax were holding their own and neither side were dominating play.

Andrew Sambrook drilled a low effort on 24 minutes that failed to trouble Halifax goalkeeper Lee Butler as the Diamonds began to put pressure on the visitors defence.

Halifax were struggling to find any breakthrough in the Diamonds defence and it was evident that Alan Little’s team had only scored four goals in their last 10 games.
 
After 30 minutes: Diamonds 0 Halifax 0

But the Diamonds finally broke the deadlock on 31 minutes through Partridge when he produced a fine finish after collecting a through ball by Darby to calmly beat Butler with his left foot.

The Diamonds began to pour forward and continued to put pressure on the visitors defence with Burgess and Underwood threatening to do damage down the left flank.

There was a huge blow for the Diamonds on 41 minutes when  Darby was forced to go off when he took a whack on the head from a Halifax defender.
 
Brian waited on the news of Darby before bring a substitute on as the striker went into the changing rooms for treatment and it seemed that the Diamonds had taken their foot of the pedal when they went down to 10 men as Halifax began to push forward.

But the Diamonds held onto their one goal advantage at the half time whistle and Brian would have been satisfied with the outcome as they shaded a poor first 45 minutes.

Half Time: Diamonds 1 Halifax 0

Darby failed to return for the second half but Thomson, on loan from Luton, was given his first league start for the Diamonds.

And the striker nearly scored with his first touch when he bundled the ball over the line just a minute into the second half, but he was adjudged to have made an infringement on Butler.

Thomson had a second goal disallowed on 52 minutes when he powered a header into the back of the net following an Underwood free kick.

Halifax had a good chance to get back on level terms on 54 minutes but Paul Harsley had a weak low effort that Turley had no trouble in dealing with.

After 60 minutes: Diamonds 1 Halifax 0

Halifax started to pass the ball across the middle of the field but Turley was having a quiet afternoon as the visitors struggled to make an impact.

Halifax created their best effort on 68 minutes. After some lovely play in the centre of the park, Craig Middleton should have tested Turley, but he fired high and wide of the target.

But the Diamonds made the game safe on 72 minutes when Thomson finally got his name on the scoresheet when he out jumped the Halifax defence to powerfully head home Paul Hall’s cross.

After 75 minutes: Diamonds 2 Halifax 0

Partridge was unlucky not to have grabbed his second of the game when he struck the crossbar with a delightful chip that had left Butler stranded in the middle of nowhere.

The Diamonds were now in control of proceedings and they looked like that could have extended their two-goal advantage with Thomson and Burgess going close.

There was some nervous moments with two minutes remaining as Neil Redfearn brought Halifax back into the game with a low shot that beat Turley to his left hand side.

But the Diamonds managed to hold onto their deserved three points and it keeps the pressure on the leading pack of the Third Division.

Full Time: Diamonds 2 Halifax 1

Diamonds: Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby (Thomson 46), Burgess (Brady 81), Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

Subs not used: Pennock, Carey, Setchell

Booked:

Halifax: Butler, Swales, Jules, Clarke, Mitchell, Clarke, Harsley, Redfearn, Middleton (Midgley 69), Fitzpatrick (Jones 69), Kerrigan.

Subs not used: Herbert, Crookes, Winder

Booked: Clarke 52, Redfearn 58, Kerrigan 75.

Referee: Mr D Crick

Attendance: 3,883 (242 from Halifax)

 

Diamonds  Halifax
6 Shot on Target 6
5 Shot off Target 2
6 Corners 1
4 Offsides 0
12 Free-Kicks 12
0 Yellow Card 3
0 Red Card 0

Swansea City 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0

By Steven

The Diamonds earned a well deserved point to extend their unbeaten run to ten, in a 0-0 draw against Swansea City.
With chants ringing around the ground by angry Swansea fans aimed at their chairman Tony Petty, it made playing very difficult for both sets of players but to their credit both teams tried their best to lift the spirits with their football.

The Diamonds went into the game as strong favourites. Brian Talbot’s side were unbeaten in their last nine games and despite Paul Underwood and Andy Burgess missing through injury the club was hopeful of another three points.

That was because troubled Swansea had only won two games at their Vetch Field stadium all season and went into the game only four places above the bottom of the Third Division.

But Brian, who drafted in Daniel Talbot and Gary Setchell into the starting line up as replacements for Underwood and Burgess, said before the encounter that this could be just as difficult of a game than in previous weeks. 

Troubled flared before the teams went out onto the pitch when Swansea fans tried to run onto the pitch in their anger at Petty.

On the pitch, Swansea made the brighter start and just a minute into the game Jonathan Coates made a dangerous run into the box but he failed to trouble Billy Turley.

There was worrying signs for the Diamonds inside the first five minutes when Scott Partridge seemed to have picked up a knock but he managed to shake it off and carried on.

The first corner of the game arrived on 10 minutes and it went in the Diamonds favour but despite an excellent delivery from Paul Hall, Duane Darby was adjudged to have fouled Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone.

The first real effort arrived on 14 minutes when Talbot sent a perfect cross into the centre of the box from the left hand side that Hall met but he failed to keep his effort below the crossbar.

Swansea fans continued their protest against their chairman but it certainly didn’t bother the Diamond players as they shaded the opening 15 minutes of play.

The home side tried their best to mount a serious challenge at the Diamonds goal, but some solid work from Mark Peters and Barry Hunter made sure they did not cause Turley any real danger.

It actually took Swansea 24 minutes for them to have their first real effort when John Williams sent a low cross along the face of the Diamonds goal and despite giving it his all, Nathan Tyson failed to get the all important touch.

Williams hit the side netting for Swansea on the half hour mark from a Coates corner but they were still struggling to trouble Turley although the Diamonds, at that point, had taken their foot of the pedal.

On 34 minutes Freestone was fortunate to get away with a bad error when he spilled a Hall corner although Setchell failed to take advantage of the mistake.

The first half failed to produce any free flowing football which the Diamonds had been playing in recent weeks and as the half time whistle went, no goals was a fair reflection of the game so far.    

Half Time: Swansea City 0 Diamonds 0

The second half certainly needed something special if either side was going to break the deadlock and it was surprising that neither manager made any changes to their teams at the interval.

But, in any case, the restart started in the same style as the first half with the Diamonds controlling the opening stages to the half.

Hunter had the first real effort for the Diamonds in the second half when he headed over following a Talbot corner.

The Swansea protests continued in the second half and it seemed to affect the side as they failed to muster any real chances, although the Diamonds were struggling themselves to get any real effort on goal.

On 56 minutes Darby had a really good effort to break the deadlock when he struck, on the volley from a Partridge header, a good effort but it failed to trouble Freestone.

Swansea tried their best to push forward but all they could produce was half chances, the best falling to Coates on 61 minutes but, again, it failed to trouble the Diamonds.

Moments later Partridge had the best effort for the Diamonds when his fierce effort whizzed inches wide of Freestone’s left hand post.

Despite the long periods of play the Diamonds was experiencing it was Swansea who should have taken the lead on 68 minutes when Matthew Bound saw his bicycle kick strike the post.

Partridge had another good effort for the Diamonds just seconds later but he blazed the ball over the target when put through in on goal.

Swansea started to up the tempo in the second half and although they could not find a way towards goal they certainly put the pressure on the Diamonds as they were soon on the back foot.

Chances were few and far between and despite both sides trying to play good football the attackers were upheld by some solid defending by both sets of defenders.

In the closing stages fans from Swansea made there way to the edge of the pitch but on the football side of things a draw was probably a fair result, although the Diamonds will probably be the more disappointed.

Diamonds: Turley, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge (Folan 72), Darby, Setchell, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Talbot (Brady 78) Hunter.

Subs not used: Carey, Solkhon, Pennock

Booked: Talbot (75)

Swansea City: Freestone, Phillips, Howard (Casey39), Sharp, Cusack, Bound, Williams, Tyson, Coates (Watkins 65), Evans, Smith.

Subs not used: Jones, Todd, Mumford

Booked: Tyson (41)

Referee: Mr M Ryan

Attendance: 3,970