DIAMONDS SPARKLE IN CLAIMING CUP AGAINST POTTON

AFC RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS 3 V POTTON UTD 0
CHROMA SPORT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE KNOCK OUT CUP FINAL
@ YAXLEY FC 4 MAY 2015---3PM

AFC RUSHDEN AND DIAMOND CAPTAIN RICHARD BUNTING RAISES THE CUP

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AFC Rushden and Diamonds completed a superb league and cup double with a convincing victory over Potton United at Yaxley FC on a warm Bank Holiday afternoon.  The first time that the double has been achieved by a UCL team in 23 years AFC were backed by their usual strong and vociferous following who were happy to travel into Cambridgeshire to celebrate the seasons success.  A goal either side of half time put paid to any comeback that Potton might have had in mind and then a Scott Joseph effort just short of the hour mark sealed it once and for all.
So as ever the day started from base a bit later than normally with a station departure just before 10am direct to Peterborough I managed to get into the front two carriages for the separation of this four carriage train at Nottingham.  The front car was pre loaded with loads of reserved tickets having claimed a seat I then got somebody with a panting dog sat across the aisle from me so decided to make the move down to the next carriage in which there was plenty of room. 

BICYCLE SHED STAND

Arrival at Peterborough allowed a nice half and hour to find the correct bus stop to claim Stagecoach number 5 bus stop for Yaxley a village to the south of the city.  When I looked at this fixture a while ago I have to admit to having no idea about where Yaxley was, anyway following a meander round on the bus service we arrived in the village where the bus does a circular tour of the I let the bus pass the edge of the ground, floodlights in view, and departed further around the village.  The purpose was to have a look at the newly built Coop for a few things and then back down Chapel Lane to have a little look around.  It would appear to have a lovely old centre with a selection of thatched cottages, quaint old buildings and a village pump.  Askew lane was the planned route to the ground it was a minor road that fell away to a cart track, the ground is on the edge of the village but very close to the bus stop for a return to Peterborough.

TIGHTLY PACKED SUPPORTERS DOWN THE CLUBHOUSE SIDE OF THE GROUND

Yaxley FC seemed pretty well set up with stewards directing the already arriving fans at 1.30 into car parks and overflow car parks.  The main entrance saw a nice light brick built club house and so we moved to the main pay box entrance, even though today there was a second entrance further down by the overflow car parks.  The paybox doubled up as a club shop with a selection of programmes.  Programme purchased [£1] and £6 admission paid the circuit was to begin.

CROWD ALL AROUND THE PRETTY YAXLEY GROUND

To the left of the entrance was the snack cabin a mobile, or maybe now not so mobile, wagon from which I later purchased a chip cob and after a good spot that the word cob labelled me as a northerner!  But said snack bar operator knew just what a chip cob was even though it amazed the AFC fans by my side who I think will probably use it on future visits to snack bars.  It was a fair cob at a very reasonable price, thanks guys!  Continuing on a covered two row seated stand with wooden benches in down half of the pitch side gave way to the club house which is of a large and modern variety and with pint of lemonade purchased it was time to continue the circuit.

MAIN STAND BEFORE IT BECAME FULL

Joined onto the clubhouse is the changing rooms and to the end a new toilet block was adjoined.  Hard standing all the way round was originally down with concrete man hole covers joined together, like the old BT versions.  Behind both goals there is a sections of tree cut away with high nets to stop the ball going onto the allotments at the changing room ends and at the other end the farmers field.  Either side has a small red clad bicycle shed which is fort covered standing accommodation.  The opposite touchline to the entrance gate has behind the hard standing a well cut grass area and is bordered by conifers.

A CLEAR VIEW OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF YAXLEY

With the build up to the game continuing apace it was good to catch up with Potton's photographer and Rob from RWT Photography who was taking photos and videoing the game.
Well it was soon round to kick off time and after a mad dash to take both teams photos pre match and the referees and captains I managed to gain a position behind the goal the Diamonds were kicking towards.

POTTON UTD 2015 UCL KO CUP FINALISTS

MARTIN GOSPEL LINES UP HIS TEAM AND THE CAPTAINS

Afc as mentioned had won the league title and will pop out of the UCL set up next season and join the Southern League for a new challenge for the club that formed from the former Rushden and Diamonds Football League side.
Pottons achievement in getting to the final was even more remarkable with a finish in third place in the league below Rushden in Division 1 it was only the third time a league 1 side had played in the finals and to make it even harder had never won a final.
So thankfully with a spot secured behind the goal it was time amazing to see how the crowd had come into the ground and all vantage points around the pitch were now taken.  The final attendance was a fantastic 768 with I guess 700 from AFC, could Potton defy all the odds.
The Diamonds started at a fair pace and on 9 minutes Scott Joseph got away a superb shot from just inside the box which Potton's keeper, Craig Lewis, pushed away well.

JOSEPHS EARLY SHOT TESTED THE POTTON KEEPER

Potton gradually weathered the early storm and forced their way into the game and although you always feared AFC would get a stronghold in the game the League 1 side were not to be taken lightly.

1-0 GEARING DIRECT FROM THE CORNER

Just as it looked like the score line would remain goalless at half time AFC did break the deadlock a minute before the break.  A corner off the left from Matt Gearing floated and curled in tantalisingly that much so that it bamboozled all the defenders and ended up in the back of the Potton net.  The referees whistle followed almost immediately and it was a time to re group for Potton an gather their thoughts for a fight back.

A HAPPY R AND D SUPPORTER

From a neutral, and Potton, point of view the first minute of the second half finished the game when Diamonds doubled their advantage.  A superb left foot drive across the face off the goal and in off the right hand post from Tom Lorraine sent the loyal AFC fans into delirium and a secure zone.
On 58 minutes it really was game over when Joseph tapped the ball over the line from close range following an only partially cleared right wing corner that was fired back in by Lorraine who this time turned provider.  The corner supplied by Gearing meant all three players involved in this move had now scored in the game.
Sadly this took the wind out of any challenge Potton had left and although they mounted a few challenges they often came to nothing.  AFC continued to come forward and were a little unfortunate not to extend their lead especially one effort from Adam Confue.

RED CARD FOR POTTONS JOE ARIS [8]

With two minutes of time remaining and most people watching the clock count down Potton were reduced to ten men when a late challenge by Joe Aris on Joe Ackroyd left referee Martin Gospel no option but to produce a straight red card.

ANDY PEAKS TAKES THE APPLAUSE AND FIRES IT RIGHT BACK AT THE FANS

The celebration at the final whistle seemed slightly subdued from the AFC bench but the fans were in good spirits, some literally, and at the end were able to give the referee the boos as he was thanked for his performance.  But in a nice repost from the UCL official doing the presentation when they said they could do better he invited them to apply for a referees course as all county FA's where looking for officials.

AFC RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS 2015UCL  KNOCK OUT CUP WINNERS

In a nice touch from Yaxley FC they invited all supporters onto the pitch to form around the table to be close to the sides as they were presented and too everybody's credit it went off well.  There was respectful appreciation of the match officials, a very warm reception for Potton and of course loud celebrations when AFC Rushden and Diamonds came forward to be crowned the Knock Out Cup UCL winners for 2015, non more so than when captain Richard Bunting raised the cup.

AFC SEEK OUT VICTORY FOR THE DIAMONDS

With celebratory pictures complete there was time to purchase a quick can of pop from the snack wagon and off to the bus stop on this warm afternoon and with a tight change from Peterborough bus station to nearby train station there was only time to purchase a bag of crisps and a Twix.
Having managed to get aboard the 1826 from Peterborough it meant it was the last direct train back to base and although busy with returning students it was a peaceful journey.
So a new ground and once again the blog had ventured south to see a match at a new, well done to both sides I know Potton will be disappointed but they have achieved a lot in reaching the final.  AFC well who knows where they will go on their journey after this superb double and in their new challenge next season.  Also to Yaxley FC and the UCL officials well done on organising a  successful final and generating further interest in the United Counties League.

EAST COAST MAINLINE FLYS BY YAXLEY