RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDSv WOKING
4pm on Sunday 26 April 2009
With the Cardscondemned to relegation already, there is little to play for in this game apartfrom pride and the remote possibility of a reprieve if another BSP founderedfinancially. But the Club?s gesture inproviding free coach travel and a desire to see an awful season through to itsfinal conclusion will no doubt produce a decent turnout from Wokingfans.
WOKING
Securing the fourthfrom bottom place must now be the objective.(Weymouthneed to win at Wrexham to have any chance of overtaking the Cards.) In anyevent, Graham Baker will want to finish the season strongly and to start hisreign as permanent manager with a win, so the Cards can be expected to fieldtheir best available eleven. It islikely therefore that the likes of Bozanic and Anderson will get a final outingin the red and white halves.
RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS
It?s been adisappointing campaign for one of the pre-season play-off favourites. With names like Daryl Clare, Lee Phillips,Andy Burgess and Curtis Woodhouse in their squad, and the experienced GarryHill at the helm, the Diamonds looked a good bet for a play-off place. But they started poorly and never made upground. Garry Hill put eight players onthe transfer list in the autumn and then left the club. Justin Edinburgh was appointed CaretakerManager but recent results have been mixed at best.
The Diamonds sit in 11thplace with 60 points from 45 games. At Nene Parkthey have notched up 10 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats.
recent results
18 April: ForestGreen Rovers 4 Rushden and Diamonds 0
13 April: Histon 0 Rushden and Diamonds 0
11 April: Rushden and Diamonds 1 Kettering Town0
4 April:Rushden and Diamonds 2 Salisbury City 1
31 March: Grays Athletic0 Rushden and Diamonds 0
28 March: Northwich Victoria 4 Rushden andDiamonds 2
24 March: Rushden andDiamonds 1 OxfordUnited 3
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
Woking 1Rushden and Diamonds 1
9 December 2008
The Cards, with SimonEastwood making his debut in goal, took a slightly unexpected lead in the 17thminute when a Paolo Vernazza strike was deflected by Tom Denton past theDiamonds? keeper. Shortly beforehalf-time Michael Rankine headed in from a corner. Thereafter it was the usual story: too littlequality in the attacking department for the Cards to secure the three pointsthey needed to avoid dropping into the relegation places once more.
GETTING THERE
Nene Park ,
Diamond Way,
Irthlingborough,
Northants,
NN9 5QF.
Tel: 01933 652000
Fax: 01933 650418
Website: www.thediamondsfc.premiumtv.co.uk
Bycoach
Leaves Kingfield 12noon. Only those who have already booked may travel.
By car
From the South(M1): leave at Junction 15 (s/p Northampton A508) and follow signs to Northampton. Afterapproximately 3 miles, turn right at A45 and follow signs to Wellingborough(A45). Keep on A45, travelling east, until you reach junction with A6, and turn left (s/p Kettering A6). Crossriver and turn right at next roundabout into ground.
By train
Wellingborough Stationis the nearest station, which is about four to five miles from the ground. Look up www.trainline.comfor train times.
IN THE CARDINALS? BAR
If you are nottravelling to Nene Park, why not come downto the Cardinals? Bar? Peter Jordan haskindly offered free bar to fans, and there will be a BBQ too. Players and travelling fans will join theparty/wake on return from Rushden.
Come on, you Cards!
