A fantastically sunny day in Rushden played host to Rushden and Higham Utd and AFC Rushden and Diamonds, competing for the Chris Ruff Memorial Cup. Off the pitch there had been changes in coaching and playing staff, and this game would be a good chance for fans to witness new players that had been brought in. Diamonds were without Richard Bunting, although he was in attendance, as he had just returned, injury free, from his holiday the morning of the game. Diamonds lined up with some familiar faces, Matt Finlay started in goal, with the back 4 consisting of Joe Merrill, Aaron Parkinson, Liam Dolman and Rashid Koriya. Brad Harris and Adam Confue made up the centre midfield, with Matt Gearing and Fazel Koriya starting in wide positions, with Russ Dunkley and Tom Lorraine leading the line upfront. The use of roll on, roll off subs would be frequent during the game, and substitutes that would all feature at some point were Jason Turner, goalkeeper Rhys Redding, Elliot Lamb-Johnson, Jamal Clarke and Sean McBride.
The game kicked off, and early on there was a chance for Adam Confue whose shot was saved well down low by the R&H goalkeeper. Not long after, on 6 minutes, a heavy touch by the keeper would allow Russ Dunkley to get a shot away, but it sailed wide. A free kick soon after was deflected off the wall, but fell for Fazel Koriya to hit it hard at the goalkeeper who pulled off a fine save. The chances kept on coming for Diamonds, and after a free kick for a lunge on Dunkley was dinked into the box for Parkinson, his header was saved by the goalkeeper who had an eventful game. Russ Dunkley was involved again soon after, his header from a Matt Gearing corner was cleared off the line.
Half time: 0-0
The changes made at half time upped the tempo in the game, with all 5 changes being made, and it was Diamonds who made the breakthrough after 50 minutes, a ball over the top bounces twice and Russ Dunkley heads over the goalkeeper, the ball hitting the post and trickling over the line to put Diamonds into the lead. Dunkley doubled his tally 6 minutes later, where he rose like a salmon to head in a fantastic Joe Merrill cross. Rushden and Higham had a rare chance in the game after 66 minutes, where a low drive across goal was saved well down low by Finlay. After a water break and 20 minutes later, Elliot Lamb-Johnson demonstrated some superb skill by rounding the goalkeeper, but his shot could only hit the wrong side of the post. Diamonds substitute goalkeeper Redding was a called into action with only 5 minutes remaining, after a looping shot which looked troubling was caught well by the Diamonds keeper. A lacklustre last 5 minutes provided no more chances, and Diamonds ran out 2-0 winners, a good encouraging pre-season performance.
Man of the match: Russ Dunkley
Diamonds Line-Up
17 Matt Finlay
2 Joe Merrill
3 Rashid Koriya
4 Brad Harris
5 Liam Dolman
6 Arron Parkinson
7 Matt Gearing
8 Adam Confue
9 Russ Dunkley
10 Tom Lorraine
11 Fazel Koriya
Substitutes
12 Jason Turner on 45 minutes for 10 (Lorraine)
13 Rhys Redding on 80 minutes for 17 (Finlay)
14 Elliott Lamb-Johnson on 45 minutes for 11 (F Koriya)
15 Jamal Clarke on 45 minutes for 6 (Parkinson)
16 Séan McBride on 45 minutes for 4 (Harris)
On 75 minutes 11 (F Koriya) came back on for 9 (Dunkley)
On 75 minutes 4 (Harris) came back on for 8 (Confue)
On 80 minutes 10 (Lorraine) came back on for 7 (Gearing)
Goals: 9 (Russ Dunkley) on 50 and 55 minutes.
Attendance: 246
