Rushden & Diamonds v Stevenage Borough
Setanta Shield – 3rd Round
Tuesday 4th November
Nene Park
Kick-Off: 7.45pm
Inconveniently sandwiched between an excellent win at Woking and Saturday’s enticing FA Cup fixture at Leicester is the 3rd Round of this season’s Setanta Shield.
With the competition hardly a priority for either clubs or their supporters, steps were made last season to improve its profile and quality, with rules stating that at least 10 of the 16 players named on the teamsheet have “played” in either one of your last two first team fixtures and a handy £3,500 prize money handed out to each third round winner. Extra time and penalties will be used to separate the teams in the event of a draw.
Borough’s participation in last year’s competition last precisely 90 minutes after a 2-1 defeat in an uninspiring game at Woking. Ronnie Henry struck a late consolation in front of a crowd of just 830 as goals from Liam Marum and Giuseppe Sole saw the Cards advance to the next round.
Rushden are not enjoying the best of seasons so far and currently sit down in 12th place in the Blue Square Premier. Tipped for promotion after a season of heavy spending, things haven’t quite gone to plan with manager Gary Hill recently transfer-listing eight of his first team squad in an attempt to revive his team’s season. This game should at least prove useful for some of his squad, who perhaps need to show their manager that they should remain part of his plans for the rest of this campaign.
Last time we met…
Stevenage left it late to secure a narrow 2-1 win over Rushden at Broadhall Way on New Years Day. Michael Rankine scored with just six minutes left to give the visitors what looked a crucial three points but young sub Zak Burke fired home from close range to level on 90 minutes. A foul on Daryl McMahon gave Mark Arber the chance to smash home an injury time winner, sending Borough fans home delighted.
Borough line-up: Julian; Henry, Arber, Oliver, Laird; Junior Lewis (Fuller 62), Martin (McMahon 27), Stuart Lewis; Dobson, Berry (Burke 58), Morison.
Subs Not Used: Russell, Stokes
Borough Team News
Steve Morison is unlikely to be risked for this game meaning Anthony Thomas could start alongside Callum Willock up front for Stevenage. Ashley Bayes will be hoping for a recall in goal and whilst the game could provide opportunities for Scott Laird, Luke Oliver and John Martin to force their way back into first team reckoning. Both Lee Boylan and David Bridges could make some sort of appearance as they continue to recover from recent injuries.
Other Setanta Shield Fixtures:
Mon 3rd November 2008
Hinckley United v. Histon
Tues 4th November 2008 19:45
Barrow v. Gateshead
York City v. Mansfield Town
Forest Green Rovers v. Oxford United
Altrincham v. Wrexham
Stafford Rangers v. Southport
Bath City v. Salisbury City
Weymouth v. Torquay United
Crawley Town v. Havant & Waterlooville
Eastbourne Borough v. Ebbsfleet United
AFC Telford United v. Cambridge United
Kettering Town v. Thurrock
Burton Albion v. Kidderminster Harriers
Sat 8th November 2008 15:00
Woking v. Bognor Regis Town
Tues 11th November 2008 19:45
Grays Athletic v. Chelmsford City
PREVIEW BY DAVE TOYN
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