Rushden and Diamonds

Rushden v Forest Green
Rushden & Diamonds boast a fully-fit squad as they look to pick up their first points of the season. Manager Paul Hart may shake things up in attack with winger Tyrone Berry getting a start after some promising appearances off the bench. Forest Green have also yet to secure any points but will stick to the same squad for the away trip. Christian Edwards is still suffering from illness, Paul Wanless has a knee injury and Darren Jones is suspended.

Rushden 2-0 Forest Green
Dan Chillingworth and Simeon Jackson each scored to give Rushden their first points of the season. Chillingworth opened the scoring when he headed home following good work down the left from Paul Watson. Jackson secured the points when he smashed Marcus Kelly's cross high into the net from close range. Chillingworth also went close when his effort was blocked by Jamie Pitman on the six-yard line, while Mark Beesley went close for Rovers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rushden & D'monds: Eyre, Wilson, Hope, Hatswell, Watson, Ashton, Savage, Kelly, Chillingworth, Jackson (Tomlin 88), Rankine. Subs Not Used: Crane, Fortune-West, Berry, Rigby. Goals: Chillingworth 20, Jackson 75. Forest Green: Williams, Lawless, Butler, Preece, Nicholson, Meechan, Pitman, Clist (Afful 62), Brough, Beesley (Zarczynski 76), Griffin (Russell 76). Subs Not Used: McEntegart, Harrison. Booked: Brough. Att: 1,693 Ref: S Tomlinson (Hampshire).

Hart positive after first victory
Manager Paul Hart was pleased to see Rushden & Diamonds get their first Conference win under their belts as they overcame Forest Green 2-0. \"I think we played better in the last two games, but it's good to get three points on the board,\" he said. \"I think I've got an idea about this league now - it's definitely a men's league, and is full of experienced, physically strong players. \"At the moment, we're very young and we're not a strong physical side.\"

Savage wary of trip to Southport
Rushden midfielder Dave Savage expects newly-promoted Southport to test his side on Saturday. \"A few years ago teams dropping down might have had the advantage of fitness but there are only a few teams that are part-time now,\" Savage said. \"Fitness-wise Southport will be up to scratch and I imagine their manager will have them organised as well. \"I am sure they are aware we like to pass the ball and they will try to stop us playing our way.\"

Rushden v York
Rushden's Jon Ashton has declared himself fit after coming through the 2-1 win over Southport despite suffering with a broken toe. Paul Hart's team are looking to claim their third straight win. York could give debuts to Lewis McMahon and former Wales under-21 international Danny Parslow. Parslow made the bench for Friday night's 3-2 win against Burton but McMahon has so far failed to make a matchday 16.

Kelly 'needed a rest', says Hart
Rushden & Diamonds manager Paul Hart has explained why he left young midfielder Marcus Kelly out of his side that lost at home to York on Monday. Hart told the Evening Telegraph: \"He didn't have an injury, he just needed a rest. People forget he is only 20. \"Since I've been around the club from February he has not missed a game. \"Sometimes young boys need to be taken out of the heat, put their feet up and have a look at what is going on around for a chance to reassess things.\"

Harriers boss praises defenders
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates praised his side's defence for clinching the first home point of the season in a 0-0 draw against Rushden on Friday. \"We needed a starting point and I've told the lads now that we need to build on this,\" he told the club website. \"We've had two home performances that were very different so it was important we got something from this game. \"The boys at the back were resolute, they dealt with a lot of long balls and stayed solid.\"

Keeper Tynan stays with Hereford
Hereford United have extended the loan stay of Rushden and Diamonds goalkeeper Scott Tynan for a second month. He has started six games for the Bulls since being signed as a replacement for the injured Wayne Brown. Tynan, 22, joined Rushden in January but slipped a spot in the pecking order following the signing of Nicky Eyre. Diamonds boss Paul Hart told his club's website: \"Scott has been playing well for Hereford and I am sure both teams will benefit from this arrangement.\"

Rushden & D'monds 3-0 Altrincham
Simeon Jackson grabbed a hat-trick to ease Rushden to a win over Altrincham. The midfielder opened the scoring on 32 minutes, connecting with Michael Rankine's flick-on from 12 yards. Two minutes later, Jackson doubled the lead as he let fly with a 25-yard drive into the bottom left-hand corner to leave keeper Stuart Coburn standing. The home side continued to press on and Jackson bagged his hat-trick with two minutes to go, tapping Tyrone Berry's cross home from six yards. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rushden & D'monds: Eyre, Wilson, Watson, Ashton (Savage 44), Hope, Hatswell, Rankine (Fortune-West 79), Chillingworth (Berry 72), Kelly, Jackson, Shaw. Subs Not Used: Crane, Pearson. Booked: Kelly. Goals: Jackson 33, 35, 88. Altrincham: Coburn, Scott (Aspinall 68), Talbot, Bushell (Hendley 29), Lawton, Owen, Little, Peyton, O'Neill (Thornley 76), Chalmers, Munroe. Subs Not Used: Rose, Lugsden. Sent Off: Owen (75). Booked: Talbot. Att: 1,680 Ref: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).

Tamworth v Rushden & D'monds
Tamworth welcome back defender Alan Neilson from suspension and striker Jon Stevenson from a hamstring injury. Striker Matt Williams is a doubt with a foot injury, while the Lambs are waiting on international clearance for experienced midfielder Paul Devlin. Rushden will give fitness tests to defenders Jon Ashton and Chris Hope. Ashton has made good progress on his twisted ankle, Simeon Jackson will be confident of keeping his place after his hat-trick against Altrincham.

Hart thanks Diamonds hero Jackson
Boss Paul Hart paid tribute to Simeon Jackson after he became the first player in Rushden & Diamonds' history to net hat-tricks in successive games. Jackson, 19, followed up his treble against Altrincham with another three goals in Tuesday's 4-1 win at Tamworth. \"From the start of the season we have been talking to our strikers about the importance of goals,\" said Hart. \"Simeon is now getting goals and I am absolutely delighted for him. I am now looking forward to a continuation!\"

Rushden & Diamonds v Burton
Rushden & Diamonds welcome back Michael Rankine after his suspension but Tom Shaw remains sidelined as he completes his three-match ban. Dave Savage is likely to continue in place of Shaw, while Rankine is in contention to lead the attack. Burton boss Nigel Clough has Andy Ducros available again after his recovery from a hamstring strain. However, Jon Shaw (ankle) is doubtful, along with Aaron Webster (groin) and Darren Tinson (hamstring).

Hart stresses Diamonds commitment
Boss Paul Hart insists he is fully committed to trying to revive the fortunes of Rushden & Diamonds, despite not having signed a contract yet. He told the Evening Telegraph: \"My contract is not really a big issue. \"I'm committed to this club as much as I was when I first came in. I'm not here for the fun of it and I want to work hard to be successful.\" Meanwhile, keeper Dan Crane, who has not played for Rushden this season, has joined Conference South side Lewes.

Northwich v Rushden
Gareth Griffiths returns to contention for Northwich after having stitches to a head wound removed this week. Jon McCarthy is nearing full fitness after resuming first-team duty in midweek, but Kieron Charnock is out with an ankle injury. Rushden and Diamonds will run fitness checks on Wayne Hatswell and Glenn Wilson who limped out of the midweek defeat to Halifax. Hatswell picked up an ankle injury, while Wilson suffered a thigh problem.

Northwich 4-1 Rushden
Tony Gallimore's stunning 40-yard free-kick was the pick of the goals as Northwich thrashed Rushden & Diamonds. Gareth Griffiths opened the scoring for the hosts in the 16th minute, steering in Louis Dodds' cross, before Paul Brayson made it two from six yards. Gallimore then made the game safe just a minute later with a fantastic long-range strike into the top corner. Simeon Jackson gave the Diamonds hope from close range, but Dodds made it 4-1 on debut with a 25-yard piledriver. Northwich: Senior, Payne, Griffiths, Gallimore, Battersby, Elliott, Carr (McCarthy 67), Allan (Townson 83), Brown, Brayson, Dodds (Barwick 79). Subs Not Used: Connett, Byrne. Booked: Allan, Battersby. Goals: Griffiths 19, Brayson 37, Gallimore 38, Dodds 49. Rushden & D'monds: Eyre, Wilson, Hope (Grainger 88), Hatswell, Watson, Shaw (Rankine 45), Ashton, Savage, Berry, Chillingworth (Tomlin 72), Jackson. Subs Not Used: Tynan, Callum Reynolds. Goals: Jackson 49. Att: 853. Ref: I Scarr (West Midlands).

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