AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs Corby Town | Tuesday 1st October | BetVictor Southern Football League Challenge Cup
It is another break from league action for the Steelmen as we make the short trip to Rushden to face AFC R&D in the Southern League Cup.
The Steelmen go into the clash on the back of elimination from two other cup competitions. Firstly, a much changed Corby side fell 1-0 in the Hillier Cup to Rothwell Corinthians. Then the Steelmen fell 5-0 to Buxton in the Emirates FA Cup!
Opposition
AFC Rushden & Diamonds currently ply their trade in the BetVictor Southern Premier Central.
Diamonds are in their 2nd campaign at this level and fell agonisingly short of the play offs last term.
This season, they have started their league campaign with 4 wins from 8 matches, with only one loss in the league. The only other competetive game this season came in the Emirates FA Cup – First Round Qualifying, where a single goal from Enfield Town sent R&D out at the first hurdle!
Last Time We Met
Our last competitive meeting came in another League Cup tie, this time in the 2016/17 Integro league cup.
Diamonds won this NLP League Cup tie 2-1 in a dramatic finish as Corby came close to coming back from 2-0 down.
Liam Dolman opened the scoring just on half time with a looping header from a Ben Ford corner after what had been an even half after a good Diamonds start. Dolman doubled the Diamonds lead from the penalty spot on 56 after Jake Newman pounced on a poor clearance and was tripped in the box.
Corby looked out of the tie at that stage but rallied in the last 15 and Connor Kennedy hit a screamer from 30 yards on 86 to give them hope. They pressured Diamonds hard in the final stages and somehow failed to grab an equaliser on 89 as Ben Heath’s save fell just yards from goal but couldn’t be turned over the line but the Corby frontmen.
STATS CENTRE
INFO FOR TRAVELLING FANS
SUPPORTERS COACH
There will be a supporters coach running. The bus will leave at 6.45 pm from Samuel Lloyd. To book your place, please contact Connor McNally on 07584687843.
ADMISSION PRICES
£8 Adults
£4 Concessions (60+, Students with ID, 16-21)
£Free Under 16's
TRAVELLING BY CAR
AFC Rushden & Diamonds play at The Stadium, Hayden Rd, Rushden NN10 0HX
Parking in the immediate area of the ground is confined to on street parking within residential areas. Consequently, we would respectfully ask visitors to the ground to park considerately and ensure residents are not adversely affected, road ways are kept clear and not to park on grass verges. Ideally, we would suggest making use of the free parking in the town centre and then walking the short distance to the ground.