Diamonds disappoint against U's

By Mark Taylor
September 1 2002

Rushden and Diamonds' unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on Saturday at the hands of Cambridge United. The U’s ran out easy 4-1 winners against the Diamonds in an uninspiring game riddled by defensive frailties.

From the off, both sides seemed intent on playing long ball football and the situation did not change as the match wore on. After 20 minutes Tom Youngs took advantage of slack defending by Mustafa and Tillson to slot home and give Cambridge the lead.

Until the break the Diamonds created a few chances, notably when Lowe fired just wide, although Billy Turley was required to make a couple of key saves. At half time, with the score 1-0 to Cambridge the Diamonds trudged off the pitch.

With the second half underway Rushden seemed to be creating more chances. A Gray header from a Burgess corner was dramatically cleared off the line and shortly after Lowe’s shot hit the side netting.

On 63 minutes Cambridge increased the deficit after a controversial decision from the assistant referee. U’s ginger striker Kitson dribbled the ball out of play, directly in front of the linesman but he failed to flag for a throw-in catching the Rushden defenders off-guard. Thus, allowing for Kitson to cross into the almost empty box for Omar Riza to pass the ball past Turley.

The game was put beyond the reach of Rushden on 77 minutes when Kitson, yet again, got past Mustafa to cross the ball for Youngs to score his second.

Wardley grabbed a consolation goal for Diamonds after defensive errors in the Cambridge defence allowed him a clear view of goal and he duly poked the ball home.

Kitson compounded the misery for Rushden when he forced the ball past Turley after more shaky play from the Diamonds defence.

The Diamonds will be hoping to get back on track next Saturday against Southend United at Nene Park.

Rushden:

Turley 6
Mustafa 2
UNDERWOOD 7
Hunter 5
Tillson 3
Burgess 5
Hall 5
Mills 5
Gray 5
Darby 4
Lowe 6