First Point of the Season Claimed

A super goal from Jamie Ashmore on his debut helped Barwell to a good point on the road in Northamptonshire. AFC Rushden & Diamonds struck 8 minutes from the end to make it a point apiece with both goalkeepers doing well to keep the score down.

Ahead of the game, the Canaries may well have thought a point would be a good outcome. Rushden are always a good side and in the mix for play offs most seasons. They were also coming off a bad Emirates FA Cup result midweek and would be looking to bounce back.

Jamie Ashmore, signed the day before, started at right back and made a huge impact with a fine goal from out wide. The ball was played to him by Jahvan Davidson-Miller just as Ashmore wanted it. The new signing made no mistake in striking the ball well, sending it over the top of the stranded Walton in goal and in to the far top corner. There were just 9 minutes on the clock when this excellent goal gave Barwell the lead.

The away side, confident from the cup win midweek and from taking the lead in this game, began to knock the ball about well. Despite the wind and rain there was some good play, most notably when Tristan Dunkley and Davidson-Miller combined well on the left before a cross was put in which just evaded McDonald.

Rushden had chances as well and Liam Dolman, well know to Canaries fans, had a headed chance but it was straight at Max Bramley. Right on half time, the home team had a glorious double chance from a corner. Bramley did enough to stop a shot down low but the ball rebounded back to a Rushden player who shot just wide.

Half Time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 0 Barwell 1

Almost straight from the kick off Leandro Browne had a brilliant chance to double the Barwell lead and maybe should have taken the opportunity. The Barwell fans were then claiming a penalty moments later but Dunkley was adjudged to have gone down too easily and was booked.

Barwell then had a series of corners and free kicks on the edge of the area. Brady Hickey took two of the free kicks and Dunkley a third but none were crisp enough to beat the keeper or the wall. The number of chances that Barwell created in this period should really have seen them extend their lead.

As the game passed the hour mark, Rushden began to get themselves on top. A couple of astute substitutions and a change of formation for the home side started to deliver for them. Bramley came out to head a ball clear and then watched a shot go just wide, as the danger began to grow.

Tristan Dunkley managed to get himself one on one with Walton in the Rushden goal. He collected the ball and turned Dolman to free himself in to the space behind the defender. He took a couple of touches and then fired the ball hard but Walton saved magnificently.

Unfortunately, there was a small disturbance as the game entered the last 15 minutes involving a member of the crowd but the Stewards dealt with it well and the referee reported the matter to Club Officials.

This did not deter Diamonds and a few minutes later they drew level through Slinn's fine shot from the edge of the area. There had been a number of Rushden corners and free kicks in the lead up to the goal, so it was very much a sense of the goal had been coming. Just before the goal, Bramley had made a fine save from a header at close range which even the home fans applauded.

On 86 minutes, Ashton had the chance to win it for Rushden but his header hit the post but the game ended in a 1-1 draw that was probably about a result that represented the game overall.

Full time: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1 Barwell 1

Attendance: 343