Lincoln v Rushden Preview

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10th March 2006

Lincoln City and Rushden and Diamonds clash at Sincil Bank on Saturday, with both needing a victory but for very different reasons!

Rushden find themselves in the midst of a relegation dogfight for the second consecutive season. Should they lose the fight, then they will return to the non-league football scene after just five seasons in the Football League.

Rushden, backed by the cash of Max Griggs, were formed in 1992 via the merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds. They climbed through the non-league pyramid to win promotion to the Football League in 2001, where their success continued via promotion to League One. It seemed that Rushden would progress further, as they made a good start to their League One season but problems later occurred and relegation followed.

Now, Rushden have come a full circle and are in serious danger of returning to the Conference. Currently, they occupy the second relegation spot and things are becoming desperate. The situation was made worse this week, when Stockport defeated Bury to open up a three point gap of safety. Although strangely, Rushden's confidence appears to be high, as the players hold a belief that their destiny remains "in their own hands".

Striker Drewe Broughton explained: "We've got Lincoln City next week which is always a tough place to go to so that will be interesting.

"If we keep picking up points at home and become stronger away I think it's very much in our own hands."

Broughton is a familiar name to Lincoln City supporters because he was destined to join The Imps last November. Imps' boss Keith Alexander agreed a loan deal with Rushden with a view to a permanent transfer, only for Broughton to reject the move.

Another familiar name to Lincoln City's players is Rushden defender Ronnie Bull, who played for Grimsby Town last season but joined Rushden in January 2006. In-between, Bull was a team-mate of Imps' striker Simon Yeo at New Zealand Knights but both returned to England after just six months in New Zealand.

Rushden are buoyed by the return to fitness of goalkeeper Scott Tynan, who joined Rushden for £10,000 from Barnet during the January transfer window. Tynan was hailed as a fine signing but he has missed the past three games because of a hip injury. In his absence, Rushden are unbeaten in two matches, but they did lose their last away match via a 5-0 thrashing at Carlisle United.

Lincoln have not played for two weeks due to their match at Carlisle, which was scheduled for last Saturday, being postponed. Their enforced rest will have benefited the injured duo of Jeff Hughes and Paul Mayo, who were both doubtful for the Carlisle match. Hughes' thigh strain will have cleared, while Mayo is a week closer to regaining fitness following his two-month layoff.

Alexander must also make a tough decision regarding the midfield, as three players are in contention for one vacant midfield role. Nat Brown was suspended for Lincoln's last match, and his place was taken by youngster Lee Frecklington, who received the call above the illness strickened Steve Robinson. Brown, Frecklington and Steve Robinson are all in contention for this place.

These two side first met on August 16th 2001 in a match that is more memorable for marking Rushden's first home match in the Football League rather than the 0-0 score line. In all three meetings between these two clubs at Sincil Bank, Rushden have been victorious. For a full historical round-up, please click here.

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