Diamonds were twice pegged back by third-placed Coalville in a thrilling clash on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors got off to the perfect start inside five minutes when Jordan Graham volleyed home a Connor Furlong cross, but the lead only lasted a minute as Thomas Mcglinchey converted a cross from the left despite looking in an offside position. The frenetic start continued as Rushden re-assumed their lead moments later when Graham used his strength and turned well in the box before his deflected strike looped up and over into the corner of the net. Chances continued as Nathan Tshikuna dipped a free-kick just over, and the hosts were denied by a header off the post and several strong Dean Snedker saves.
After Diamonds had gone close at the start of the second half through Furlong, Coalville equalised in controversial circumstances. A corner was flicked on for defender Chris Robertson to turn in at the far post and, though the offside flag was initially raised, the goal was then awarded following consultation between the ref and linesman. Either side could have won it as Snedker made more crucial saves to deny Tyrell Waite and Shaw, and Tshikuna went close on a few occasions down the other end, but a draw was a fair result in the end.
First half
Interim manager Burgess made just the one change to the side that had started the thrilling home draw with Leiston last time out, but it led to a tactical re-shuffle. Shane Bush was ruled out through a knee injury, so Paddy Casey moved across to partner Liam Dolman in central defence and Ben Diamond dropped back to fill in at right-back. Lewis Johnson came in on the wing as Nathan Tshkiuna moved inside to directly support Jordan Graham up front.
The anticipation was huge, understandable for a clash between third and fifth with only four games of the regular league season remaining. Coalville, nicknamed The Ravens, lost in midweek at home to Royston and had only won one of their last four, but they held the second best home record in the division and had scored the most home goals too. Rushden were looking to reverse a record that had seen them lose on the previous four occasions at The Mander Cruickshanks Solicitors Stadium, conceding 15 goals in the process. They had only lost one of their previous five and had the third best away record in the Southern Premier Central.
Only five minutes had elapsed when Diamonds took the lead. A long ball down the left saw home right-back Alex Dean head it up, and keeper Tiernan Brooks came rushing out to try and collect. However, Connor Furlong anticipated the opening well and nipped in to cross first-time to Jordan Graham who dispatched it on the volley past a couple of covering defenders and into the net. It was the striker’s second goal in as many games, and marked the start of a strong performance.
However, the hosts levelled only a minute later in their first attack. Tim Berridge got down the left before cutting back onto his right foot and crossing towards the back post. Thomas Mcglinchey appeared to have gone beyond Sam Warburton as the cross came in, but the linesman’s flag stayed down as he headed home past the helpeless Snedker.
Moments afterwards, Rushden restored their advantage. Tshikuna got down the right before curling a cross in, and Jordan Graham took it down expertly before powerfully turning his marker and hitting a low strike that was deflected up and over Brooks into the far corner.
The visitors continued to look threatening every time they went forward, as captain Fernando Bell-Toxtle fired over from range and Tshikuna whipped a free-kick just over after Jesse Akubuine had been brought down 35 yards out. The Ravens then won a series of corners, with the first one resulting in a header that came off the post before Snedker made a good low save with his feet.
The action-packed opening made way for a quieter rest of the half. Home winger Luke Shaw saw a deflected strike cleared away, and Berridge was denied brilliantly following a mazy run past a few Diamonds defenders.
In response the away side had a blocked effort from Akubuine, Furlong overhit a pass on a promising counter-attack and Warburton flashed a cross the face of goal that the hat-trick hunting Graham was just unable to meet. Tshikuna also used his strength to get round Stephen Towers and win a free-kick. His deflected effort almost fell for Graham, but it was just cleared.
Half time: Coalville Town FC 1-2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Second half
Like in the opening period, Diamonds started the second half well and on the front foot. Graham found space to shoot from the edge of the box only for it to go wide of the mark, and Furlong then sped away on the break before having a near-post tipped behind by Brooks. The corner nearly broke for the ever-dangerous Graham, but the keeper collected.
Home striker Tyrell Waite had a good chance when his strike was deflected into the side-netting, but they didn’t have to wait much longer for an equaliser. From the resultant corner a flick-on amongst a sea of players ran for defender Chris Robertson who squeezed it over the line, but the linesman’s flag had been raised for a few seconds. Referee Ben Cooke concurred with the decision to begin with but, following a few Coalville players appealing, he consulted with the linesman before awarding the goal.
Coalville sensed another winner and, after Diamond was booked for dragging back Shaw on the break, Snedker then made a superb save to deny Waite after he had jinked inside from the left past a series of challenges. Burgess summoned AJ George to replace Johnson, but it was the hosts who threatened again next as Snedker half-parried Shaw’s cross from the left, and thankfully Mcglinchey couldn’t react quickly enough to turn the loose ball home.
However, George’s introduction signalled Diamonds ending the game strongly. A pinpoint pass from Akubuine found the substitute, and his cross found Tshikuna whose strike flew just wide of the near-post. Furlong then did excellently to chase seemingly lost cause and keep the ball in on the left, his cross in was eventually worked to Tshikuna and his low effort was held at the second attempt.
Chances continued for both sides as Mcglicnhey curled wide and full-back Eliot Putman struck a free-kick over in a threatening position, and Lauric Diakiesse couldn’t generate enough power on a header to threaten Brooks down the other end.
Despite late corners, no further action occurred as the match ended honours even.
Full time: Coalville Town FC 2-2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
This was a frenetic encounter, with Diamonds starting brilliantly and coming close to extending their advantage on a few occasions. They will be frustrated that two contentious decisions went against them and led to the two Coalville levellers, but the hosts did create some good opportunities only to be denied by a few terrific Snedker saves. Rushden showed a confidence and calmness when in possession, worked the ball well and focal point Graham was a constant threat in front of goal and when using his strength and poise to bring teammates into play.
Alvechurch’s convincing win at Hednesford moves them three points behind Diamonds, though Rushden are still in prime position to reach the play-offs with three games to go. Their next match sees them travel to Sixfields on Tuesday (12 April, 7.45pm kick-off) to take on fellow Southern League Premier side Peterborough Sports in the NFA Hillier Cup Final.
Diamonds Man of the Match: Jordan Graham
Attendance: 491
Match report by Ollie Mortimer
Diamonds: Snedker, Diamond, Warburton, Bell-Toxtle (C), Dolman, Casey, Johnson (George 66), Akubuine, Graham (Diakiesse 85), Tshikuna, Furlong (Snelus 79) (subs not used: Chikamba, Corden)
Diamonds goals: Graham (5, 9)
Diamonds yellows: Diamond (63)
Coalville Town FC: Tiernan Brooks, Alex Dean, Eliot Putman, Stephen Towers (C), Chris Robertson, Connor Smith, Luke Shaw, Joe Doyle-Charles, Tim Berridge, Tyrell Waite, Thomas Mcglinchey (Dave Assuncao 85) (subs not used: Billy Kee, Tomasz Bukowski, Kian Taylor, Kalern Thomas)
Coalville Town FC goals: Mcglinchey (6), Robertson (58)
Coalville Town FC yellows: Putman (87)
