On Saturday 18 th February Hednesford travel to Northamptonshire for a proverbial “relegation six-
pointer” at AFC Rushden & Diamonds. The bottom two teams in the Southern League Central
Division meet knowing only a win will do for either club. Rushden are rock bottom with 15 points
from 29 games and while Hednesford are a place and a point above them, they have played two
games more than the home side.
Rushden’s home record has seen them notch three wins against St Ives, King’s Langley and
Nuneaton, three draws against Bromsgrove, Ilkeston and Needham Market and eight defeats against
Barwell (0-1), Stratford (0-2), Tamworth (1-3), Alvechurch (0-2), Stourbridge (1-3), Redditch (0-2),
Coalville (0-7) and Hitchin (1-2). Back on October 1st Diamonds visited Keys Park and saw The Pitmen
record their best win of the season. A Kyle Bennett goal was all that separated the teams at half time
but a goal from Ryan Nesbitt on 47 minutes and a four minute Leroy Lita hat-trick gave Hednesford a
convincing 5-0 win.
Rushden’s season has mirrored Hednesford’s somewhat. They have used 46 players while
Hednesford have used 60 and both clubs have had three managers this season. Andy Burgess was
sacked after that 5-0 defeat but his successor Richard Maxwell lasted only ten games, seven of which
he lost. In December Chris Nunn took over the hotseat, his first game being at Bedford Town on
Boxing Day which they lost 6-1. The next six games have seen Diamonds win just once while losing
the other five.

Rushden & Diamonds play at Hayden Road Sports Ground, Hayden Road, Rushden, Northants NN10
OHX.

Tickets can be booked on line or by paying at the gate using cash or card. Admission prices are
£11 adult, £8 over 60s and students, £6 17-21 years old, £2 under 16s while under eights are
admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult.

Local charity Encompass who help support homeless people through their foodbanks will have a
collection point just inside the turnstiles if any of you would like to donate to this worthy cause.