By Mark Taylor
October 30 2002

A tremendous solo strike from Jamaican international striker Onandi Lowe sealed a 1-0 win for Rushden and Diamonds against last year’s Conference winners Boston United who spurned a number of good chances to equalise in the second half. Diamonds made two changes to the line-up that drew at Hull. Turley recovered from his calf injury to replace Adam Sollitt in goal and Barry Hunter returned in the centre of defence after his recent suspension. Boston employed former Rushden captain Ray Warburton with the job of stopping Lowe.

Rushden started brightly and took the lead after only 9 minutes courtesy of Onandi’s first goal in 10 games. The big man received the ball in the middle of the Boston half and dribbled towards the left edge of the penalty area before unleashing a terrific shot that buried in the bottom left corner of Bastock’s net. The Boston ‘keeper was left helpless.

After the goal Diamonds were in control of the match with several players coming close to extending the lead. Notably, when Lowe’s free kick grazed the crossbar after Razor was lucky to remain on the field following his rash challenge on Darby when he was the last defender.

The second half saw a dramatic transformation for Boston as they began to dominate. On the hour mark the Pilgrims should have equalised when Simon Weatherstone was one-on-one with Turley. The Boston striker pulled his shot wide of the right hand post. Stuart Douglas, on loan at Nene Park last season, also missed a sitter to level the game shortly after entering the fray on 75 minutes.

Fortunately, Diamonds held on to win by the single goal and climb to third in Division Three.

Match ratings-

Turley - 8 Made some vital saves
Bignot - 8 Looked comfortable in defence and attack
Setchell - 8 Didn’t put a foot wrong
Peters – 7 Solid
Hunter – 7 Looked composed
Hall – 7 Marked excessively by Boston
Bell – 8 Had some good touches
Mills – 8 Good vision
Wardley – 6 Anonymous in midfield
Darby – 7 Worked hard
LOWE – 9 Back to his old self