REPORT: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 0-3 Quorn

By Adam Etheridge

The Reds extended their lead at the top of the table to 23 points with a convincing win away to Rushden. Goals from Paddy Webb, Billy Kee and Rodrigo Goncalves did the damage as a fourth clean sheet in their last five league games highlighted a superb defensive effort. Tom Allsopp made two spectacular saves just before half time to ensure that his side held the lead going in at the break.

Quorn dominated the early proceedings but were constantly bogged down on a very heavy pitch, that featured almost as much sand as grass. Kee had an early chance from a header but home ‘keeper Adam Harrison was a consistent presence in the Diamonds goal and got across to gather.

Kee was on hand again moments later, pouncing on a mistake as a defender fell over in the difficult conditions. The former Burton Albion man bore down on goal, but chose to tee-up a teammate instead of shooting, allowing a last gasp interception to snuff out the danger.

Ryan Beswick thought he should have been awarded a penalty when a defender kicked his standing foot out from under him, just inside the box, but the Referee felt there wasn’t enough contact. Cain Noble was next to test Harrison, but his effort was too close to the Rushden shot-stopper. Beswick hammered in an effort from the edge of the box, but Harrison was able to watch it fly inches wide of the post.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 33rd minute, as Rushden unleashed a long throw. The home side over-committed and when Quorn cleared to the halfway line, Goncalves took control and slid a ball through to Webb, who went through one-on-one with the ‘keeper. Webb made no mistake as he hit the ball low, to the goalie’s left, finding the bottom corner for a deserved lead.

It had been one-way traffic throughout the opening 35 minutes, but a loose ball at the back allowed a glimmer of an opportunity for Rushden, and, but for a stunning save from Allsopp to deny Jamal Adams, they would have been level. The resulting corner brought more heroics as Nathan Burrows hit a piledriver that looked as though it would burst the net, but Allsopp managed to dive to his left and claw the ball away before it could cross the line, ensuring that Quorn held a slender lead at the break.

Noble and Webb forced early saved from Harrison in a second half that followed pretty much the same pattern, Quorn dominating but finding a determined opponent that were committed to their defensive duties. The second goal did eventually arrive courtesy of the rejuvenated Kee. Mason Frizelle won a header from a free kick, with Webb volleying towards goal. Harrison saved the shot, but Goncalves was unmarked at the far post and returned the ball across goal, where Kee powered home a header.

The two were involved again in the 74th minute, this time Kee doggedly created space and shot from a tight angle, bringing another good save out of Harrison, but Goncalves was in the right place again, firing in the rebound for a 3-0 lead. Rushden thought they had a consolation in stoppage time, heading in from a corner, but the Assistant Referee had flagged for offside, resulting in a 17th clean sheet in the league.

The Reds have ten days before they return to action, making the short trip to Hinckley LR. Meanwhile they can relax this weekend as the chasing pack look to make-up ground. The 83 point total guarantees a top five finish, matching their best ever performance, which they achieved last season. With that top-five place confirmed, Quorn are into the playoffs at worst, but Beswick’s side have loftier ambitions and will be looking to wrap up the league title, needing just eight points from their remaining eight games.