Rushden's unbeaten home run comes to an end

Man of the match
By Mark Taylor
October 19 2002

Rushden and Diamonds fell to their first home defeat of the season against another relegated second division club. Bury won the game by 1 goal to nil in a game in which the ball rarely touched the ground.

Talbot recalled Onandi Lowe to the line-up following the clear up of his shoulder injury, which forced him to miss Jamaica’s clash with Japan. Paul Hall played despite returning from Japan 36 hours earlier. The surprise inclusion in the Rushden team was the manager’s son, Daniel Talbot, who occupied the left wing position. Andy Tillson returned in the centre of defence partnering Mark Peters.

Bury were without young starlet George Clegg who was injured during Bury’s superb, Worthington Cup victory over Bolton. Player-manger, Andy Preece started the game on the bench.

The game started with both sides attempting too many long balls. Bury started the brightest, however, and nearly took an early lead but Lee Unsworth made the wrong decision in the Diamonds' box and Tillson cleared. Later, Duane Darby pulled wide from just outside the box. Turley made a couple of top class saves before Bury took the lead in the closing minutes of the first half. Mustafa failed to clear and Chris Billy took advantage and slotted past Turley.

After the break both sides looked lively and both had chances. Lowe had a chance to equalise but his header, on 50 minutes, was cleared off the line by Swailes. From the hour mark onwards Diamonds dominated the game and Lowe connected with several crosses, each close to going in. Substitute Gary Mills saw his volley go wide on 80 minutes although Peters had to make a key tackle to deny Bury the chance to extend their lead. Bury defended frantically in the final minutes to ensure an away win and condemn Diamonds to their first home defeat.

Player Ratings-

Turley 8
Mustafa 8
Underwood 8
Tillson 7
Peters 7
Talbot 6
HALL 9 – tireless despite playing in Japan mid-week
Wardley 5
Gray 7
Lowe 8
Darby 8