Rushden v York report

By rob
September 16 2002

Rushden and diamonds kept a third successive clean sheet, but failed to come away from Bootham crescent with 3 points in a scrappy game that failed to deliver.

York city’s 100% home record was ended, and the Northamptonshire side should have taken the spoils as they created the better of the chances as the Rushden defence coped well with the home team’s 3 man attack.

Rushden could have been on the scoresheet after 5 minutes as Stuart Gray hit a right foot volley just wide of the target from 20 yards.

York’s Lee Nogan and Alex Mathie both missed chance at the other end from a similar range.

On 25 minutes the diamonds again should have taken the lead when Darby’s overhead kick released Lowe who knocked the ball past keeper Ian Fettis but failed to take advantage of an open goal by hitting wide from a tight angle. A few minutes after that chance Lowe again was making a nuisance of him self who then flocked the ball on for Darby to shoot, but was well challenged by central defender Chris Smith.

Turley was called into action for the first time when saved a Gary Hobson header, and just before half time, Fettis’s dodgy clearance was charged down by Darby and the ball just went wide of goal.

The 2nd half saw Rushden attack well and had 6 corners within the first 10 minutes. Lowe, Darby and Wardley all went close, while a Peters clearance from 10 yards inside his own half gave Fettis a scare in what could have been a freak goal.

Lee Bullock’s chance went wide of Turley’s goal and Nogan’s close range effort was kicked away by the Rushden keeper, before Lowe, Darby and Mills had good chances at the other end.

In the closing stages of the game, both Lowe and Darby forced saves from Fettis, but in the end the game remained goalless. After Tuesday nights Worthington cup game going to extra time and the penalties, it was no surprise that some of the Rushden players showed tiredness, but did manage to keep York from taking the 3 points.