Diamonds were downed by Step 4 Stamford on a hot Saturday afternoon at the Zeeco Stadium.
The hosts, playing their first game of pre-season, got off to the perfect start after two minutes when James Blunden headed home a corner. Dean Snedker was then forced into a strong save to deny Jack Duffy either side of Nathan Tshikuna curling narrowly over and new signing Courtney Lashley bending a strike inches wide. An equaliser did arrive just after the half-hour mark when Trialist number 11 fired past ex-Diamonds keeper Ben Heath, but Stamford re-established their lead soon afterwards when Jonathan Margetts slammed in a precise cut-back. They added another moments before half-time when a handball in the area led to Rob Morgan confidently slotting home the resulting penalty.
Stamford carried on where they left off at the beginning of the second half when, firstly, ex-Rushden man Jon Challinor strode forward before hitting a low strike past Snedker from range to make it four. Two minutes later they scored again as a cross from the left was flicked on for Rodrigo Goncalves to volley into the unguarded net. Diamonds did manage to pull a couple of goals back as Jenson Cooper struck a powerful effort into the far corner from 25 yards, and Connor Furlong dispatched a penalty after being tripped in the box, but the hosts ultimately ran out deserved victors.
First half
Manager Burgess named three trialists in the starting XI (with three also on the bench) whilst recent signings Evangelos-Nikalaos Empochonstif and Courtney Lashley lined up in defence. They started with a 4-3-3 formation, with Jack Snelus occupying a central midfield role and Nathan Tshikuna, Connor Furlong and Trialist number 11 supporting Trialist number 9 up front.
The hosts had finished runners-up in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands last season before losing out in the play-off semi-finals. They will be aiming to go one step further this season, and they got off to the perfect start after only two minutes. An inswinging corner from the left found James Blunden all alone and he powerfully headed down into the net past a helpless Dean Snedker.
A quick start saw Diamonds almost level immediately as Tshikuna curled just over and Trialist number 9 had an effort deflected narrowly wide. Stamford would be a threat throughout the contest though with a series of quick attacks and clever movement, and one such moment almost led to them extending their advantage when striker Jack Duffy was denied by a strong diving save before Snedker then made a more routine stop from Will Mellors-Blair.
A good period of play from Rushden firstly saw Lashley float a shot inches wide, and then Snelus had a deflected strike that sat up kindly for ex-Diamonds keeper Ben Heath to collect. They didn’t have to wait much longer for an equaliser though as, just after the half-hour mark, a neat move saw an impudent flick around the corner to Tshikuna. He powered into the area before playing it across to Trialist Number 11 who confidently finished into the far corner.
Stamford responded on the front foot, and they retook the lead in the 40th minute when a low cross from the right found Jonathan Margetts who controlled and then swept it inside the far post. Then, on the stroke of half-time, they won a penalty when a goalbound strike was blocked by Empochonstif’s outstretched arm. Midfielder Rob Morgan stepped up and sent Snedker the wrong way to send the hosts into the break well in control.
Half time: Stamford AFC 3-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Second half
Diamonds made two changes at the break as Trialist number 12 and 14 replaced Trialist 11 and Snelus. Stamford also introduced a series of players for the second half, but it didn’t halt their momentum as they added two goals in a matter of minutes. Ex-RDFC man Jon Challinor strode forward after a quick free-kick and beat Snedker from range with a low strike. A cross from the left was then flicked on past Snedker for fellow substitute Rodrigo Goncalves to volley into the unguarded net.
The hosts understandably eased the pressure on a humid and energy-sapping afternoon which allowed Diamonds to build some possession. Evan Cooper replaced Tshikuna before the hour mark, and he pulled one back with 12 minutes remaining when he latched onto a long ball forward before turning and clinically dispatching a fizzing strike past Heath from 25 yards out.
They won a penalty of their own two minutes later when Connor Furlong, who had switched to the left wing for the latter stages, was brought down after cleverly jinking inside. The winger confidently converted the resulting spot-kick to further reduce the arrears.
However, despite a header from Trialist number 5 that went over, Diamonds failed to create any further opportunities and Stamford saw out the victory in their first pre-season outing.
Full time: Stamford AFC 5-3 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Diamonds are next in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Loughborough Students on Tuesday 12 July, 7.30pm kick-off.
Attendance: 229
Match report by Ollie Mortimer
Stamford AFC (first half): Ben Heath,Michael Armstrong (C), Connor Bartle, Harry Vince, Stacey Freeman, James Blunden, Rob Morgan, Cameron Johnson, Jack Duffy, Will Mellors-Blair, Jonathan Margetts
Stamford AFC (second half): Ben Heath, Trialist, Trialist, Harry Vince, Trialist, Trialist, Rob Morgan, Jon Challinor, Connor Furey, Jack Duffy (Mellors-Blair 62), Rodrigo Goncalves
Stamford AFC goals: Blunden (2), Margetts (40), Morgan (pen 45), Challinor (54), Goncalves (56)
Diamonds: Snedker (C), Casey, Lashley, Snelus (Trialist Number 12 HT), Trialist, Empochonstif, Furlong, Akubuine (Trialist Number 11 76), Trialist, Tshikuna (Cooper 59), Trialist (Trialist No.14 HT) (subs not used: Trialist Number 17)
Diamonds goals: Trialist Number 11 (32), Cooper (78), Furlong (pen 81)
