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Can Imps see clearly through Diamonds?
By Nathan Jackson August 13 2004
Before you say it, yes I know it's a really cheesy headline but when it comes to Rushden, City quite simply can't see past them. The two clubs have only ever met 4 times with Rushden winning 3 and the other a 0-0 draw.

INTRODUCION

There are referees that want to make names for themselves, want to establish a reputation, those who want to annoy one set of fans as much as possible, I am of course refering to the most hated of football species, first year referees. The Imps had one on Tuesday and night but I'd rather not get into that but I'd just end up rambling on about how IT WASN'T A FUCKING PENALTY. So now, after wisely giving us a first year referee in our first home game of the season, the Imps now have another first year ref in our 2nd home game of the season. Let's face it though, he can't be as bad as Gary Lewis, or can he?

TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

The Imps will pretty much be unchanged from Tuesday's draw with the exception of the likely first team start of new player Adrian Littlejohn who is likely to replace Yeo who is still suffering from a bad shoulder sustained at Shrewsbury.

Expected City line-up (right to left)

Marriott

West   Morgan  Futcher   Weaver   Blackwood

Butcher    Gain

Fletcher  Littlejohn   Yeo

RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS

Considering at 19, I am older than this club says it all but you've got to take your hat of to them, promotion from the very bottom league to Division 2 in around 12 years is extremely impressive.

When they first entered this Division, they finished a highly respectable 6th which gave them a playoff place and they beat Rochdale 4-3 on aggregate but lost out in the final, 3-1 to Cheltenham.

A year later however, they pipped Hartlepool to the title even though the Geordie-wannabes lead the table for the majority of the season and had a long unbeaten run which City ended by winning 3-0 at Sincil Bank which saw Hartlepool just collapse, however, only two points ahead of Hartlepool on the final day of that season, it was the top 2 head to head at Nene Park where a 1-1 was met as Rushden were crowned champions of this Division. Surely they could mount a challenge in Division 2.

They started well and settle into midtable, they, manager Brian Talbot left for Oldham and took half his players with him and a fall down the table was inevitable and after challenging for a possibly playoff place at Christmas, they were relegated.

Against Lincoln, Rushden hold all the cards as they have won 3 of the 4 meetings between the clubs with a 0-0 draw being the first ever league game to be played at Nene Park, so in other words, City have never beaten Rushden.

MOST RECENT RESULTS AGAINST SHREWSBURY

2002/3

Rushden and Diamonds 1 Lincoln City 0 - League

Lincoln City 1 Rushden and Diamonds 2 - League

2001/2

Lincoln City 2 Rushden and Diamonds 4 - League

Rushden and Diamonds 0 Lincoln City 0 - League

PREDICTIONS

Despite City recent improvements and Rushden's seeming free fall, I have to say a draw at best for City as the results above do say it all.

City 1 Rushden 2

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