UCL Review 2014-2015

LEAGUE REVIEW

PREMIER DIVISION: DIAMONDS TAKE THE CROWN AT SECOND ATTEMPT

Ambitious AFC Rushden & Diamonds were crowned Premier Division kings at the second attempt as they booked a promotion to step 4 in only their third season in adult football.

Diamonds manager Andy Peaks had assembled a squad full of experience at higher levels and with several previous title winners in the ranks, and they started the campaign as favourites for honours along with a Holbeach squad with similar pedigree and managed by bosses with proven track records in John Chand and Graham Drury. The Tigers made a spectacular start with a 6-1 win at Peterborough Northern Star on the groundhop weekend and they went on to extend their winning start to six games as they set the early pace. Holbeach dropped their first points in a 2-0 defeat by Huntingdon on 13 th September, and the previous season’s runners-up also appeared to be genuine contenders early in the season, winning their first seven matches and becoming the top flight’s last unbeaten side. Diamonds had started with three wins before having their colours lowered for the first time by Yaxley who briefly dislodged Holbeach from top spot in September. An eye catching result on 18 th October saw the Tigers go down 4-0 at home to Peterborough Northern Star, and three days later Diamonds beat AFC Kempston 5-1 to go top of the table. October ended with new leaders Diamonds and former pacesetters Holbeach drawing 1-1 at the Dog & Duck. November saw the Tigers beaten at Yaxley and at this stage the title race seemed to involve a quartet of clubs. Huntingdon finally tasted defeat at the twelfth time of asking, going down 3-0 at Desborough on 29 th November. The Cromwellians’ squad gradually broke up as their season unravelled while Cogenhoe also dropped important points during the month to slide out of the title reckoning. Diamonds suffered a third defeat of the campaign at Oadby on 10 th January and when they resumed hostilities with Holbeach two weeks later eight points separated the duo with the Tigers having three matches in hand. A stoppage time Russ Dunkley goal gave Diamonds a vital point and thereafter Holbeach fortunes declined. They lost their next match at home to Cogenhoe and following their Vase exit both co-managers made swift exits along with key players. A thirteen match winning run to start 2015 saw Wisbech emerge as the leading challengers to Diamonds as Holbeach and Yaxley faded. Goal hungry Thurnby were also in spectacular form although still outsiders for honours. The Fenmen’s winning run ended on 17 th March with a shock loss at Peterborough Northern Star which left them needing a win at Diamonds four days later. They nearly got it but Brad Harris struck deep into stoppage time to square the contest and leave Diamonds four points clear of their rivals with seven to play. There were to be no Diamonds’ slips as they saw the job through, and a 4-1 win at Sileby on 14 th April saw them crowned champions. They completed the campaign unbeaten at home after salvaging a draw with Cogenhoe in their final match. A slip by Wisbech against Cogenhoe in their penultimate match saw Thurnby slip past them to take second place in their first season in the league. Diamonds showed few signs of slipping, with a sixteen match unbeaten run giving them a ten point lead over Yaxley in mid-December, Holbeach a further point back with three matches in hand over the tabletoppers. There was a rare defeat for Diamonds on 20 th December as they lost at Thurnby. The league newcomers had made an inconsistent start but along with Wisbech, they would challenge as the season progressed.

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