We crashed to our first defeat of the year today in a game that had all the makings of a smash and grab robbery by the Diamonds. All it took was two shots on goal and they made their getaway with all three points in their swag bag.
We didn't really make it hard for them though. Poor defending and weak attacking are not the way to win games.
Right from the kick off we looked second best and lacking match fitness. That's not too surprising since the team hadn't played a game since the end of last year and looked rusty.
We started the game with
Adie Smith back from injury and sitting on the bench along with new signing John Hodge. The two players doubtful before the game, Dean Bennett and JJ Melligan, both passed fitness tests and made the starting line-up.
Rushden were the first to create a chance on seven minutes when Onandi Lowe easily out jumped Lee Ayres to head the ball onto the cross bar.
After that there wasn't much else to write home about until Rushden opened the scoring when, with Lowe looking offside and Ayres looking at the linesman, Paul Hall collected the ball from his team mate to rifle his shot across Stuart Brock into the far corner of the net.
It could have been two for the visitors on 30 minutes when David Bell sent Lowe clear but he could only put his shot into the side netting after coming under pressure from Kenny Coleman.
With half-time approaching the Harriers seemed to wake up and Dean Bennett did well to get himself in behind the Rushden defence and pass the ball to Bo Henriksen. The chance went begging though when the pony tailed one slipped on the wet surface and his scuffed shot went wide.
Minutes later Andy Bishop went close for us but he dragged his shot inches wide of the goal.
The last chance before half-time fell to Dean Bennett but his 15yd effort was blocked on the line by Stuart Gray with Billy Turley grabbing hold of the rebound.