Rushden & Diamonds

v Wrexham

Saturday 14 January 2006

 

Kick Off @ 15:00



The Diamonds

Barry HunterDiamond's manager Barry Hunter will be familiar to Wrexham fans after enjoying a successful spell at Racecourse in the 1990s. The tall central defender joined from Irish side Crusaders after impressing for his team during the Isle of Man tournament and signed for Wrexham in time for the 1992/94 season for £60,000. During his three seasons at Wrexham he made 122 appearances scoring six goals and picked up a Welsh Cup winners medal in 1995 along with five international caps for Northern Ireland. It was no surprise that me moved on to better things with Reading paying a then record £400,000 in 1996 although his progress with the Royals was hampered by injury.

Hunter was appointed manager at Nene Park 12 months ago after previously taking temporary charge for a month after Brian Talbot left the club in March 2004. Ernie Tippett was appointed on a full time basis but his reign only lasted nine months with Hunter appointed initially on a temporary basis before his position was made permanent with a one year contract in the summer.

With Rushden & Diamonds currently occupying the final relegation spot, Hunter has had a busy New Year with many changes to the squad in an attempt to freshen it up. In total seven players have been added to the squad, four of which are on loan whilst John Dempster and Andy Burgess, who refused to play in the last game, have joined former manager Brian Talbot at Oxford. The players that have signed on a free transfers are Ronnie Bull (Grimsby), John Turner (Cambridge) and goalkeeper Dan Crane (Burton). The four loan players are Ashley Nichols (Cambridge), Tony Stokes (West Ham), Peter Castle (Reading) and Tyrone Berry (Crystal Palace).

The top goal scorer for Rushden & Diamonds is in form striker Drew Broughton with his brace in the recent defeat against Bristol Rovers taking his tally to five goals for the season, four of which have come in the last five games.

Past Encounters

The two clubs have only met on four occasions in their history with Wrexham yet to lose a game, winning two and drawing twice. The first meeting came in the 2002/03 season with Wrexham drawing 2-2 at Nene Park and winning the return match at the Racecourse 3-0. With both club's achieving promotion that season, Wrexham returned from Nene Park with a 3-2 victory the following season and were held to a 1-1 draw at the Racecourse.

Form Guide

Wrexham: LWDLWLLD

League Position: 9th (26 games)

Rushden & Diamonds: LLWLLLLL

League Position: 23rd (26 games)

Rushden & Diamonds are on a bad run on form with seven defeats in their last eight games with the only victory coming against an under strength Chester side prior to Christmas. This victory was followed up with a 5-1 hammering at Orient on Boxing Day and then a 1-0 home defeat at home to Cheltenham. New Year's Eve resulted in Rushden making the trip back from Torquay on the back of a 2-1 defeat and this was followed up with a 3-2 home defeat against Bristol Rovers. Last weekend Rushden were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at Peterborough.

After ending a run of two games without a win with a 2-1 win over Rochdale on Boxing Day, Wrexham then recorded two straight defeats at home to Grimsby, when they were unlucky, and then at Shrewsbury, where they were shocking. Last weekend Wrexham relied on a injury time goal from Mark Jones to rescue a point against Lincoln but have only recorded one win on their travels this season, a 3-0 victory at Oxford back in November.

Bookies View

Wrexham are favourites for the win with Stan James, UK Betting and Total bet pricing the away win at 8/5. Bet Odd or Even are offering the Rushden win at 17/10 with the draw priced at 9/4 with Corrals, Pinnacle, Bet 365 and Premier Bet.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Dennis Lawrence and Lee Roche have been ruled out of the visit to Rushden & Diamonds with hamstring and groin injuries respectively. They join Lee McEvilly and Levi Mackin on the sidelines but the remaining first team players have recovered from the injuries that kept them out of the postponed cup match at Newport on Tuesday.

Michael Ingham starts in goal with a back three of Shaun Pejic, Dave Bayliss and Danny Williams with Mike Williams on the bench as cover. Andy Holt continues on the left with either Jim Whitley or Simon Spender filling in for Lee Roche at right wing back. Darren Ferguson, Matt Crowell and Mark Jones are expected to continue in midfield with either Dean Bennett or Robbie Foy partnering Jon Walters up front.

Wrexham Squad (17): Ingham, Michael Jones, Danny Williams, Pejic, Bayliss, Mike Williams, Spender, Whitley, Holt, Smith, Ferguson, Mark Jones, Crowell, Walters, Bennett, Foy
, Marc Williams.

Rushden & Diamonds Team News: Rushden & Diamonds are without the suspended Rob Gier and Alun Armstrong for the game along with the injured Neil McCafferty who has had a hernia operation this week. Also ruled out is Pete Hawkins (shoulder) with Garry Mills undergoing a fitness test prior to the game. The game has also come too early for Marcus Kelly and Daniel Chillingowrth with both players expected to be available for first team action from next week.


League 2 Fixtures:

Bury v Torquay
Cheltenham v Bristol Rovers
Chester v Boston United
Darlington v Peterborough
Grimsby v Mansfield
Leyton Orient v Northampton
Lincoln City v Barnet
Macclesfield v Oxford United
Rochdale v Stockport
Rushden & Diamonds v Wrexham
Shrewsbury v Carlisle
Wycombe v Notts County

Venue Guide

Address: Nene Park, Diamond Way, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5QF.

Telephone Number: 01933 652000

Fax Number: 01933 650418

Rushden & Diamonds Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at the junction with the M1 picking up the A14 towards Kettering. After 23 miles on the A14 turn right at the roundabout onto the A6. Now heading in southerly direction follow this road until you reach the Nene Park roundabout where you turn left and the ground will then be on your left hand side. Distance from Wrexham = 130 miles, Time = 3 hours.

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Wellingborough but is five miles from the ground, so a taxi is your best bet. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: The car park is located on your left after the ground but it does get congested after the game. Alternatively you can turn right at the roundabout by the ground and park along Station Road. If you prefer a public car park then continue along station road are there is one just off the roundabout before you reach the High Street. It will take you ten minutes to walk back to the ground from here.

Beer and Grub: There are no pubs in the vicinity of the stadium but on the plus side there are bars inside the ground and visiting supporters have their own, called the Airwair bar. There are two options to find pubs; take the 10 minute walk into the town centre or drive further down the A6 towards Higham Ferrers. Heading towards the town centre the first pub you will come across is The Bull, which is opposite the cross in the centre of town. This is the main haunt for away fans but if you can be bothered to walk a bit further then try the Horseshoe located further up High Street just past Dillons. If you are looking for some guest ales then you will have to continue past the Horseshoe up the hill until you reach the Oliver Twist pub. The ground is located on the outskirts of the town and therefore you will also have to walk into the town centre where you will find the usual variety of outlets with Mai's Chinese take away & chippy one of the best. This is located just further on from the Horseshoe.

Cash Machines: Abbey National machine at Dillons Newsagents on the High Street.

How much to get in?

Airwair Stand: Adults £15, Concessions £10,    9-16 year olds £4, accompanied 9-16 year olds £2, Under 8s free.

Disabled Facilities

There are 17 wheelchair parking spaces for all disability groups at the ground with at least 6 spaces in available in the ground out of a total of 24 in the stand. There are two adapted toilets in the Airwair Stand with varying snack bars. Disabled Supporter £10 with helper admitted free of charge. The DSA is Kieran Farmer/Nikki Roberts and they can be contacted on 01933 652936.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with temperatures reaching a maximum of 9 degrees Celsius and a 12 mph southerly wind.