Rushden & Diamonds

E-mail Article Print this story

Andy Burgess and Sam Smith

Related Links

• Teams
• Kettering

Rushden 1-0 Kettering

Rushden & Diamonds had just enough gas in the tank to see off the challenge of local rivals Kettering Town at Nene Park on Saturday afternoon.

Kettering will be sick of the sight of Sam Smith as the Rushden teenager came off the bench to score the winning goal.

He scored the late equaliser at the A-Line Arena in August, the last time these two teams met in the Blue Square Premier.

The match was a closely contested affair that didn't create very many goalscoring chances for either of the teams.

The Poppies created the first real chance of the game after just nine minutes but Jean-Paul Marna volleyed wide of the target when he really should have scored.

Minutes later, Diamonds midfielder Marcus Kelly saw his 30-yard drive saved brilliantly by Lee Harper but the resulting corner was cleared by Kettering's Guy Branston.

The second half continued in much the same vein and looked to be heading for a goalless draw.

However, Rushden boss Justin Edinburgh brought on Smith for Simon Downer and the teenager had an instant impact on proceedings.

Smith tested Harper with a low hard shot shortly after coming on before netting the winning goal in the 82nd minute.

He held off the challenge of Poppies defender Exodus Geohaghon before slotting a low effort past Harper to send the home supporters into wild celebrations.

Rushden bookings: Kelly, Tomlin, Beecroft, McNamara.

Kettering bookings: Dempster.

Ref: J Waugh (Sheffield).

Att: 3,406.