Diamonds' big week !!

A potentially pivotal week in AFC Rushden & Diamonds’ push for promotion starts at Hayden Road tonight (Tuesday). Diamonds were left without a game at the weekend with their home clash against Aylesbury called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

But this evening’s clash with fourth-placed Hayes & Yeading United, one of only three teams to beat Diamonds in the Evo-Stik South League East this season, is set to go ahead. A win will see Andy Peaks’ team re-open up an eight-point gap at the top while they could again pull away in the battle for one of the two automatic promotion places.

And, with a trip to another of the challengers Hartley Wintney to come at the weekend, the Diamonds boss knows his team are heading into a crucial period. “It’s another big game,” he said. “We are up against one of the teams who are chasing us and they have picked up a lot of points recently so we are expecting a very tough game. “It was frustrating at the weekend because we obviously had to sit back and watch the other results but we are still in a strong position.

Read more at: Jon Dunham-Northants Telepgraph