PRE-SEASON FIXTURE
Tuesday July 27th, 7.45pm
Dog & Duck Ground
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 3
Ben Diamond 3
Tom Lorraine 38
Josh Flanagan 72 og
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Joseph Mills 88 pen
AFC Rushden & Diamonds: Trialist, Goodard, Dolman, Collard, Warburton, Bell-Toxtle, Akubuine, Slinn, Diamond, Lorraine, Gyasi
Subs: Heath, Casey, Hughes, Gosnal-Tyler, Lorrell, Trialist, Jones
Cobblers: Jonny Maxted (sub Charlie Woods 80), Josh Flanagan, Joseph Mills, Sid Nelson (sub Jack Connor 78), Max Dyche, Liam Cross, Peter Abimbola (academy), Ethan Lack (academy) (sub Camron McWilliams (trialist) 66), Miguel Ngwa (academy) (sub Ali Koiki 66), Scott Pollock, Caleb Chukwuemeka
Booked:
AFC Rushden & Diamonds: none
Cobblers: Sid Nelson (64)
Sent off:
AFC Rushden & Diamonds: none
Cobblers: none
Northampton Town travelled to Wellingborough Town to take on AFC Rushden & Diamonds in their penultimate pre-season friendly.
As he had suggested, manager Jon Brady made changes and took the opportunity to give game time to other members of his squad, with Joseph Mills and Scott Pollock both starting the game. Youth team players Ethan Lack, Peter Abimbola and Miguel Ngwa were also handed the chance to impress in a starting XI that contained eight current or former academy players.
After a pre-match tribute, both sides wore black armbands in memory of Max Griggs.
As the game started, the Diamonds took a third minute lead when a corner was headed home by Ben Diamond. Another set play delivery, this time in the seventh minute, was headed over by Liam Dolman.
Ethan Lack was close on nine minutes for the Cobblers, driving just wide on the half volley after a Josh Flanagan cross was only half cleared, while moments later Mills was only denied by a fine covering tackle after being played in by Abimbola.
Sid Nelson headed just over from a 33rd minute Joseph Mills corner, while Caleb Chukwuemeka fired into the side netting at the near post three minutes later.
Seven minutes before half time, the home side doubled their lead when Tom Lorraine converted at the end of a fine move at close range.
Another Mills corner saw Sid Nelson’s header saved by the Diamonds keeper in the final action of the first half.
Miguel Ngwa had a shot deflected over after a powerful run at the start of the second half, while just before the hour mark Caleb Chukwuemeka made his way into the area on a threatening run before firing a shot over the bar.
Substitute Ali Koiki had a shot deflected wide on 69 minutes, but the Diamonds scored a third on 72 minutes, the unfortunate Josh Flanagan heading in to his own net via the post from a Diamonds free kick.
Joseph Mills struck a 74th minute free kick in to the defensive wall, while Cobblers substitute keeper Charlie Woods was behind a long range shot with eight minutes to play.
The Cobblers were awarded a penalty in the final action of the evening, Joseph Mills scoring from the spot.
Jon Brady’s squad headed for an army training camp straight after the game which is where they will spend the next few days, while the final pre-season fixture takes place away at Cambridge United on Saturday.
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 1
CORNERS: (3) 4
FOULS: (6) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 4
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (3) 7
FOULS: (4) 7
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1