Diamonds battled their way to a crucial first win of the campaign in an absorbing clash at Barwell.
Both sides traded early opportunities as Dean Snedker made the first of many fantastic stops to deny Tiago Nassunculo, and down the other end Jordan Hines hit a curling 25-yard effort that was well tipped away. The striker limped off, with Connor Furlong and Courtney Lashley also being taken off injured during the game, but the visitors coped well with the adversity and took the lead just after the half-hour mark. Miguel Ngwa robbed a defender on halfway before sprinting forward and coolly dispatching a low strike into the far corner.
The lead was extended only two minutes into the second half when Ngwa’s cross from the left found captain Nathan Hicks. His first-time attempt hit the upright, but he slammed home the rebound into the roof of the net. Eniola Agemoh-Davies fired a deflected effort narrowly wide before Snedker twice saved from Max Brogan, but he was powerless to prevent Brady Hickey’s 77th minute header from finding the net. Sneder made another unbelievable stop from Brogan and Hickey somehow failed to convert a low ball in, but Diamonds held on for a vital three points.
First half
Manager Burgess lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation as Matt Lars Fossen returned from injury to partner Ryan Hughes in the centre of defence, and Connor Tee was given a central role to support striker Jordan Hines.
The hosts only sat four points above the Diamonds ahead of the contest, and so both sides knew the importance of a victory. It was Barwell who started the quickest and came close inside ten minutes when left-winger Tiago Nassunculo was played in behind only for his fizzing strike to be palmed away by Dean Snedker, and Courtney Lashley made a crucial clearance to stop the rebound. The home man caused danger again minutes later as his low cross was bravely tipped away at the feet of an onrushing forward.
Rushden responded and soon fashioned their first opportunity. Hines did excellently to slide and win a loose ball in the attacking third, and he took a step forward before whipping an effort towards the far post. It looked like it would sneak past home keeper Andrew Wycherley, but he did well to dive to his left and tip it clear.
The visitors were soon forced into their first substitution as Connor Furlong limped off to be replaced by Tyrese Sutherland. It didn’t seem to upset the side’s rhythm as they continued to grow into the match and looked confident when in possession. Midway through the half Jesse Akubuine slid a neat ball through to Hines who touched it past Kyle Rowley before being brought down. The home defender received a yellow card, but he wasn’t punished as Akubuine’s subsequent kick was easily gathered.
That was to be Hines’ last action as, on the half-hour mark, he too went off injured and Jenson Cooper came on in his place. Less than five minutes later though, Diamonds grabbed the lead. It stemmed from a Barwell corner that Herve Pepe-Ngoma headed goalwards, and Nassunculo inadvertently blocked it away. The ball was cleared upfield and Miguel Ngwa capitalised on some indecision to nick it on the halfway line and power forward. He left a defender in his wake before entering the penalty area and coolly steering an effort past Wycherley into the far corner of the net.
Rushden’s tails were up, and they weren’t far from doubling their lead moments later as Tee’s cross was missed by Wycherley but, fortunately for him, a defender was well placed to clear upfield. Home striker Jack Deakin then fired narrowly over down the other end as Barwell seeked a reply before half-time.
Diamonds should have made it two prior to the interval as Cooper latched onto a flick-on and suddenly found himself through on goal. He snatched at the chance though from just outside the area, and his effort dribbled harmlessly wide. Eniola Agemoh-Davies and Fossen were soon on their guards to make important blocks from Max Brogan, and that was the final action of the half.
Half time: Barwell FC 0-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Second half
The visitors made the most perfect start to the second period as they doubled their advantage two minutes into the half. Ngwa did well to trick his way away down the left, and his cross into the box missed both Cooper and Tee. However, captain Nathan Hicks had timed his run to the back post unmarked and met the delivery only to hit the far upright. With Wycherley stranded, the rebound ran back to the Diamonds man who made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Diamonds were in a commanding position but, with a lot of time remaining and Barwell continuing to threaten, they needed to maintain their defensive organisation and discipline. A home cross from the left found Brogan at the back post, but Snedker was equal to the resultant strike with a big block. They then won a free-kick in a promising position, though Brogan’s effort was easily claimed by the away keeper.
After being booked moments before, Agemoh-Davies came so close to making it three as he broke into the box before hitting a strike that was deflected agonisingly wide of the far post. The visitors then suffered another injury setback as Lashley went down, he received treatment but was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Charlie Black.
Snedker made another stupendous save after Deakin was found following a ball in from the right, and defender Kyle Rowley then powered the resulting corner harmlessly wide. However, Barwell did find a way back into the contest with 13 minutes remaining. Another corner from the left found Brady Hickey whose header flashed into the back of the net to halve the arrears.
Rushden were forced further and further back with every passing minute, and Snedker somehow preserved the lead when Brogan broke through a couple of last-ditch challenges before being denied. Cooper did really well to relieve the pressure as he won a free-kick down the other end, though his subsequent strike dipped over the bar.
Five minutes of additional time was signalled and, in the second of these, the hosts again came within millimetres of finding a last-gasp leveller. A low cross from the right found Hickey on his own at the back post, but the striker was unable to turn it home with the goal gaping and the ball rolled wide.
The final whistle was soon blown to jubilant scenes from fans, players and coaching staff alike at Diamonds’ first win of the campaign.
Full time: Barwell FC 1-2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden are soon back in action as they welcome high-flying Coalville Town to Hayden Road on Tuesday evening (27 September, 7.45pm kick-off).
Diamonds Player of the Match: Matt Lars Fossen
Attendance: 280
Match report by Ollie Mortimer
Diamonds: Snedker, Lashley (Black 69), Hughes, Fossen, Furlong (Sutherland 19), Akubuine, Hicks (C), Agemoh-Davies, Tee, Hines (Cooper 30), Ngwa (subs not used: Connor, Worsfold-Gregg)
Diamonds goals: Ngwa (32), Hicks (47)
Diamonds yellows: Agemoh-Davies (53), Cooper (78), Fossen (90)
Barwell FC: Andrew Wycherley, George Ward (Micah Edwards 58), Melis Bushaj, Dominic Brown-Hill, Kyle Rowley, Herve Pepe-Ngoma, Cameron Moore (Beck-Ray Enoru 49), Max Brogan, Jack Deakin, Brady Hickey (C), Tiago Nassunculo (Deen Master 74) (subs not used: Roger Lee)
Barwell FC goals: Hickey (77)
Barwell FC yellows: Rowley (24), Moore (45)
