AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1
Holbeach United 1
Graham Drury declared Saturday’s draw at UCL Premier Division leaders AFC Rushden and Diamonds “a very good point” after seeing his Holbeach United side battle back to secure a share of the spoils in a fiery top-of-the-table clash.
Diamonds, who are ahead of the Tigers on goal difference at the summit, moved ahead on eight minutes at the Dog and Duck when Liam Dolman lashed home a fierce strike.
Holbeach hit back on the stroke of half time when Lee Beeson scored from a penalty rebound, having seen his initial effort saved by Matt Finlay.
Both sides had their chances to win the clash, with Jamie Clarke rattling the angle of post and bar for the Tigers and debutant Ed Adjei – signed on loan from St Neots Town – denied from point-blank range.
Football went out the window in the closing stages, though, as both sides were embroiled in a mass brawl when stand-in Holbeach skipper Danny Spencer was confronted by the home bench.
Co-Holbeach boss Drury was then pushed over by Diamonds defender Jack Ashton as he went to confront those targeting his player – and things got out of control.
Drury was painted as the villain of the piece, but he insists that, although he may have looked bad, he and fellow joint chief John Chand did nothing wrong.
He said: “Diamonds are a very good side to be fair, they’ll take some stopping.
“It’s a very good point for us and I was impressed with the attitude my lads showed – especially as we came into the game off the back of a 4-0 defeat.
“I’d say a draw was fair. They may feel they deserved more, but we had chances to win the game.
“The end was a bit of a mystery to me if I’m honest.
“Danny Spencer was out of position and held onto the ball when he perhaps should have given it back. But he was then grabbed by the throat – he had the marks to prove it.
“I went onto the field to try and calm the situation down and I was pushed over – from behind – by Jack Ashton.
“To be fair, I reacted to that – but Jack has apologised to me and as far as I’m concerned it’s done and dusted.
“I understand that I’ve been painted as the villain of the piece, but that’s not the case as far as I’m concerned.
“It may have looked bad as I was on the pitch, but I did nothing wrong.”
After a lively start to the big game of the weekend, Diamonds took the lead from their first attack of note. Richard Bunting rolled a free kick to Dolman, who rifled a rasping effort past Nick Conroy, albeit with the aid of a deflection.
After seeing off some sustained home pressure, Holbeach regrouped and fashioned chances of their own, with Jamie Clarke volleying wide from a Beeson corner and Aaron Preston working Finlay following a super Jake Duffy pass.
But the home side always looked the more likely to score next and went agonisingly close when Joel Gyasi fired against the foot of the far post. Striker Tom Lorraine then raced clear, only for Conroy to save with his legs.
However, with half time approaching the Tigers won a penalty when Ashton cleared a Preston effort off the line. The hosts failed to clear and Beeson was eventually taken down by Dolman.
His spot-kick was well saved by Finlay, but there was no stopping the rebound.
Holbeach almost went ahead three minutes into the second period when Adjei’s cross from the left was headed onto the woodwork by Clarke.
At the other end, Russ Dunkley headed wide and Fazel Koriya clipped the bar with a long range piledriver.
Adjei then drove wide after being released by sub Lee Dube, while Lorraine was within a whisker of turning home a dangerous cross.
Koriya had a few late chances to earn Diamonds all three points, but it was the Tigers who almost pinched it at the death when their man-of-the-match Adjei saw an effort saved by Finlay from close range.
The result ensures that two perfect UCL Premier Division records have now been smashed – Holbeach’s 100 per cent away record and Diamonds’ flawless home return. The Tigers would certainly have settled for that before a ball was kicked.
Tigers: Conroy, Deeney, Allen, Spencer, C Parker, Beeson (Gibson 69), Pinner (Steadman 43), Duffy, Adjei, Preston (Dube 59), Clarke. Not used: Cartwright, King.
Attendance: 729
