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LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP REVIEW: DIAMONDS DO THE DOUBLE
The season’s League Knockout Cup campaign was a memorable one for AFC Rushden & Diamonds who
became the first club to complete a domestic double in 22 years, and for Division One which produced a
finalist for only the third time in 34 years of open competition. Potton took three Premier scalps on the way to
the final while Lutterworth Athletic saw off two top flight sides en route to the last four. Additional wins for
Whitworth, Olney and Peterborough Sports took the total of lower grade wins over higher status opponents to
an impressive eight.
Eventual finalists Potton kicked off the Preliminary Round with a 2-1 success at Division One rivals ON
Chenecks, an Andy Passmore own goal and Courtney Boughton effort taking the Royals over the first hurdle.
The biggest win of the round was recorded by Peterborough Sports who beat Buckingham 6-0 with a Matt
Cook hat trick, Ondre Odain double and Ali Nyang effort. Ryan Nash, Ryan Ansell and Ty Clark were the
Bugbrooke marksmen in a 3-2 derby success at Northampton Spencer while Nyasha Sagwete was the AFC
Kempston matchwinner in a lone goal success over newly promoted Harrowby. Another all top flight
encounter saw Yaxley get the better of Eynesbury 3-0 with a Lewis Stone opener and Dan Cotton double.
There were three inter divisional ties in the round, with Premier sides progressing in two. A Phil Cassidy strike
and Ryan Dufty own goal gave Desborough a 2-1 verdict at home to Woodford while Holbeach beat hosts St
Neots Saints 6-2 with Ollie Pinner, Tommy Treacher, two goal Paul Newcombe, Gary King and Jordan Keeble
sharing the goals. Olney sprang a surprise overturning an early two goal deficit to go through 4-2 at
Wellingborough in extra rime, Christian Smail and Darryl Smith taking the tie into the additional half hour
before Dean Torto and Craig Malsiri completed the comeback. Holders Huntingdon were involved in the final
match of the round and needed a penalty shootout to see off Newport Pagnell after a 3-3 draw. Two Luis
McCoy goals and one from Declan Rogers had the holders in charge before the Swans replied with three goals
in the last ten minutes, ultimately to no avail.
Oadby and Deeping had got the First Round underway with goals from David Burton-Jones, Matt Heron and
Ryan Oliver giving the 2014 runners-up a 3-1 victory. AFC Rushden & Diamonds took a first step on the road to
the final with a 7-1 romp at Burton Park, Jason Turner scoring three, Russ Dunkley two and Adam Confue and
Tom Lorraine one apiece. Newcomers Thurnby were also among the goals in a 5-3 success at Bourne. Liam
Canavan’s brace, a Dan Bratcher own goal and singles from Matt Melbourne and Jouel Potter gave Thurnby
their first ever win in the competition. Two Aaron King goals and one each from John Dean and Jimi Emefuna
saw Sileby beat Thrapston 4-1 at Fernie Fields, while a single goal from Jacob Smith saw Wisbech edge out
visiting Bugbrooke 1-0 at the Elgoods Stadium. Another inter divisional encounter saw late goals from Livo
Dube and Lee Beeson give Holbeach a 2-1 win over Rothwell Corinthians.
Four Division One clubs knocked out their supposed betters. A Dan Pegg own goal and last minute Jamie White
effort saw Whitworth dispose of Harborough 2-1 at the Victoria Mill Ground, while Gary Ansell-Carter scored
both goals in Potton’s 2-0 success at Premier basement boys Long Buckby. Dom Ivens was the Lutterworth
Athletic marksman in a 1-0 win at AFC Kempston while Peterborough Sports beat Sleaford 5-3 on penalties
after the sides had shared four goals on a foggy night at Lincoln Road, Matt Cook and Dan Clements the Sports
scorers in the match proper.
Irchester beat Stewarts & Lloyds 2-0 at Alfred Street with Ryan Lovell and Moises Rodrigues on target for the
Romans while two Karl King goals and one from Jed Ainge saw Raunds progress 3-1 against Blackstones. Olney
continued their run with a 2-0 defeat of Rushden & Higham, Jamie Burrows and Deanio Bailey-Browne on
target.
One of the most impressive performances of the round came from Peterborough Northern Star who beat
Desborough 5-0 at the Mick George Arena with an Avelino Vieira hat trick and Nick Davey brace. Cogenhoe
were 4-2 home winners over Boston Town with Dan Thomason, Sam Heavey, Luke Emery and Tom McGowan
sharing the goals. Holders Huntingdon made a second hurdle exit as goals from Gav Cooke, Karl Gibbs and Dan
Cotton saw hosts Yaxley to a 3-0 victory.