The Tigers came from 3-1 down at half time to earn a point in a terriffic game at Nene Park. There were plusses and negatives to come out of the game, but a draw was probably about right.
From the start, the game rocketed in to action, with an indication of how the rest would follow. And after only 5 minutes Gary Alexander sensationally gave us the lead, hitting an unstoppable shot in to the top corner from 30 yards - A truely magnificent strike. However, City's defensive problems away from home continued, as Rushden roared in to a 3-1 lead before half time, albeit with a bit of luck too. Firstly, Duane Darby got in between Mohan and Whittle (highlighting our problems once again with the ball over the top) and crossed for Richie Hanlon to head towards goal, only for the ball to cannon off Mike Edwards and in to the corner of the net. City's luck was then to get worse minutes later as Andy Burgess's scuffed cross flew over the stranded Matt Glennon and in off the back post to give the Diamonds the lead. And less than 10 minutes later Burgess grabbed his second, tapping home from close range after more poor defending allowed the estremely impressive Paul Hall to head across goal and against the far post.
Brian Little thankfully rang the changes at half time, replacing Beresford, Johnsson and Dudfield with Matthews, Lee and Rowe, and it paid immediate dividends, as the Tigers took the game to their opponents. Only 2 minutes in to the half, the deficit was cut in half as Barry Hunter diverted a Lee cross in to his own net to give City hope. And the hope was justified, as Rodney Rowe pulled us level on 53 minutes. His first shot was saved by Turley, but the keepr could not hoold the ball, and Rowe pounced on the rebound to tap home from close range. Cue mad celebrations, which involved Rowe removing his shirt and running over to us, delighted with the goal. The game could have gone either way from there, but depsite chances for both teams, concluded in a draw. In the best of the opportunities, Turley had to tip an Alexander header wide, while at the other end Matt Glennon saw a Scott Partridge shot hit go just wide and made a brilliant save from a Ritchie Hanlon long range free kick.
So another away point - A poor first half display but again an improved performance after the break. Something has to be done about our defending away from home, as the ball over the top caused us problems again in the first half, with Mohan and Holt down the keft hand side again the main culprits. Their problems in the last 2 away games were possibly picked out by the home side, though again in the second half the backline tightened up. Hopefully the re-return of Ian Goodison will hopefully sort it out somewhat.
Going forward was no problem, as we looked a threat the whole game, particurlary after the break. Alexander's goal was magificent, and the appearance of the 3 subs really helped in the second 45 minutes. Lee and Matthews had arguably their best games for the club yet, and Rowe was inspirational, really desreving bis goal. It will now be hard for Little to leave him out of the starting line-up, in my opinion. A very hectic afternoon, all in all! |
