Rushden & Diamonds 3 Barnstaple Town 1

Rushden & Diamonds clinched their place in the semi-final of the Errea South West Challenge Cup with a victory over Barnstaple Town. A goal from Sam Smith in the first half helped to settle Diamonds' nerves after a very shaky start, and second-half goals from Craig Farrell and Aaron O'Connor had sealed victory before a last minute consolation from Shane Tolley.

The Diamonds had another reason to be grateful that their two group games were played at Ilfracombe. As well as the excellent hospitality they received from the local club, the quality of the pitch preparation meant that their game was able to be played without problems, despite the heavy rain in North Devon during the past week, most notably in the past 24 hours. This had caused games at two other venues to be cancelled, but the only weather issue at Marlborough Park was the cold wind that made it seem more like March in Cumbria than July in Devon.

Manager Justin Edinburgh continued to rotate his squad as promised, with seven changes from the starting XI against Blackpool, and following a number of second half substitutions only Simon Downer and Curtis Osano of the travelling squad did not see action on the night.

The Diamonds started with Craig Farrell partnering Sam Smith up front, but it was Barnstaple who started more brightly with a quickly taken free kick in the first minute providing an early threat on goal.

James Reid combined with Craig Farrell in the Diamonds first attack, but his first time shot was well wide.

Neil Cousins was at the heart of many of the Diamonds first half attacks, and he almost converted a James Reid corner with a run to the near post, but his flick was well saved by Jamie Pow. Pow also saved Cousins shot a minute later, and Jake Beecroft threaded a ball to Cousins through the middle that the right midfielder saw deflected to allow Pow an easy save.

Barum continued to chase and close down to stop the Diamonds dominating the game, and had further chances that resulted in two corners that were well defended.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was mingling with the crowd as he checked out whether the Diamonds might slip up and let the Tangerines into the semi-final.

Cousins then turned provider as his pass put Sam Smith in the clear, although a poor first touch gave Pow a chance to intercept the ball, but although Smith did manage to touch the ball past him, and fall under the challenge from the keeper, any award of a penalty would have been harsh.

Smith then turned provider, as the Diamonds were starting to get on top, with his cross seeing Reid head over.

Jamie McGuinness started the game having to focus on defending, but midway through the half he started to get forwards and hit an excellent cross from the right that James Reid saw a shot deflected over the bar. From the resultant corner Michael Corcoran almost set up Neil Cousins but the shot was wide.

On 34 minutes Cousins had switched to the left, and won a corner on that side. James Reid took the kick, and found Sam Smith had found space to get a free header to put the Diamonds ahead.

There was still time for further chances for McGuinness (wide), Farrell (saved) and Hoyte (wide) before half-time

Half-Time : Rushden & Diamonds 1 Barnstaple Town 0

After a disappointing first half, the same eleven players took to the pitch for the second half, and started a period where the Diamonds were in total control. Within three minutes of the restart the Diamonds had increased their lead. James Reid cut across in front of the left corner of the penalty box, and was fouled. Craig Farrell stepped up and stroked the free kick home, with Pow well beaten.

With the two goal cushion the Diamonds then made a succession of substitutions, with Lee Tomlin, Max Porter, Nick McNamara, Aaron O'Connor, Joe Day and Jamie Stuart replacing James Reid, Rob Wolleaston, Neil Cousins, Sam Smith, Dale Roberts and Kurt Robinson respectively. After Lee Tomlin had struck the post, Craig Farrell set up his new strike partner O'Connor with a chance that struck the woodwork. O'Connor then put Farrell clear on goal, but the striker skewed his shot wide of the post. This partnership was looking very impressive, with good communication and link-up play resulting in Farrell turning provider, squaring the ball across the box for Aaron O'Connor to net for the second successive game.

Farrell was then replaced by Matt Pattison after a performance that had earned him the man of the match award.

The swirling wind had been causing problems all evening, but just when Michael Corcoran was about to complete the full 80 minutes coping with the challenges, he saw a high ball taken over his head by a strong gust, and as a result fouled the Barum striker. Shane Tolley stepped up to take the kick from 25 yards out, and his wind assisted shot curled back into the top corner of the net, giving Day little chance to preserve the clean sheet.

Final Score : Rushden & Diamonds 3 Barnstaple Town 1

With all of the Diamonds strikers now having opened their accounts for the pre-season period, and Justin Edinburgh being able to try out various pairings, he will have a number of options up-front for the next round of the competition.

The Diamonds now leave Ilfracombe after the warm welcome they enjoyed (despite the weather), with the Semi-Final being held at Appledore less than 24 hours later at 5pm on Saturday. Manager Justin Edinburgh reported that both Downer and Osano should be available for selection, which should give him a full squad to choose from against Mike Newell's side.

Rushden & Diamonds: Dale Roberts (GK), Jamie McGuinness (RB), Kurt Robinson (LB), Michael Corcoran (CB - Capt), Gavin Hoyte (CB), Neil Cousins (RM), Jake Beecroft (CM), Rob Wolleaston (CM), James Reid (LM), Sam Smith (S), Craig Farrell (S)

Substitutes : Lee Tomlin for Reid (46), Max Porter for Wolleaston (48), Nick McNamara for Cousins (53), Aaron O'Connor for Smith (58), Joe Day for Roberts (62), Jamie Stuart for Robinson (62), Matt Pattison for Farrell (71).

Barnstaple Town: Jamie Pow, Taro Bishop, Kevin Darch, Darren Hawkings, Steve Shore, Darren Hawkins, Jamie Frickleton, Matt Deakin, Ross Middleton, Tom Rossiter, Shane Tolley, Luke Austen.

Goals : Smith (31), Farrell (43), O'Connor (69), Tolley (79)

Yellow Card :Tolley

Sponsors Man of the Match : Craig Farrell