Rushden & Diamonds 1 Colchester United 1

First-half goals from James Reid for the Diamonds, and Ashley Vincent for the visitors meant that the final first team pre-season game for the Diamonds ended "honours-even". The biggest concern was an injury to Aaron O'Connor just before half-time, with an arm injury that required hospital treatment, but these concerns were dispelled by good news of his recovery from a trapped nerve.

On a dull afternoon in Northamptonshire, manager Justin Edinburgh named a larger squad than for recent friendlies, with Aaron O'Connor returning to partner Cliff Akurang up-front, and Michael Corcoran playing in central defence alongside Jamie Stuart, with Simon Downer absent due to illness.

Colchester manager Paul Lambert named a strong line-up, which may closely match the team at Norwich in the league in a week's time. Ex-Diamond Magnus Okuonghae was playing as a Centre Back against his old team.

The game started brightly, with both sides having early chances, with the visitors trying some early long shots that Dale Roberts handled well. At the other end good work in the Diamonds midfield saw Cliff Akurang set clear on goal, and although he took the ball to the side of keeper Williams, he could only hit the side netting with his shot.

The Diamonds offside trap was working well early on, with Steven Gillespie showing his frustration to the match officials. After a quiet spell the Diamonds started to find a profitable opening down their left, with Reid, Wolleaston, Robinson and O'Connor all getting to the byline to hit crosses. After 31 minutes it was Wolleaston that set O'Connor free down the left, and he found his way past Lee Beevers and got in a cross from the left that James Reid latched onto, having got away from his marker, and slotted the ball home for the opening goal.

Lee Tomlin showed great skill on his return as he beat two mean in the centre of the field and laid the ball through for Reid to run clear, but this time Williams was able to gather.

A tackle from Michael Corcoran earned him a yellow card as Steven Gillespie triggered a player melee as a result of his reaction to the challenge.

Although the Diamonds had had the best of the half, the visitors snatched an equaliser after 42 minutes, with a two-man break down the left, with Simon Hackney crossing for Ashley Vincent, and although it appeared his shot might have been mishit, and almost deflected over the bar by Kurt Robinson, the ball ended up in the Diamonds net.

There was still time for the Diamonds to threaten again, with Reid and Wolleaston combining on the left, and Wolleaston broke past a man and into the area. It appeared he had a clear sight of goal, but he hit a ball that might have been intended for Akurang, but the ball bounced away for a corner.

The final action of the half was the most concerning for the Diamonds, when Aaron O'Connor went off holding his shoulder, and was immediately substituted by Sam Smith.

The second half was a very disjointed affair, with both sides making many changes. The Diamonds main threat came from Rob Wolleaston and James Reid finding Lee Tomlin in space on the left, but one effort was well saved by Williams, and others were blocked. Neil Cousins tried an effort from range, but the powerful shot was straight at keeper Williams. Curtis Osano almost snatched a late winner with a long shot that keeper Williams appeared to try to punch, but only managed to deflect the ball onto the crossbar.

Full-Time : Rushden & Diamonds 1 Colchester United 1

Although this was the final first team friendly before the start of the season, there is still some action before the visit of Salisbury City next weekend, Tomorrow (Sunday) the Youth Team take on a Diamonds Legends XI, and then a Diamonds XI will play at Raunds on Wednesday evening.

Diamonds: Dale Roberts, Curtis Osano, Kurt Robinson, Max Porter, Jamie Stuart (Capt), Michael Corcoran, Rob Wolleaston, Lee Tomlin, Aaron O'Connor, Cliff Akurang, James Reid

Subs : Sam Smith (for O'Connor 45), Mark Byrne (for Porter HT), Craig Farrell (for Akurang 57), Neil Cousins (for Reid 64), Matt Pattison (for Tomlin 75), Nicky McNamara (for Wolleaston 82), Jake Beecroft (for Osano 82). Not Used: Joe Day

Colchester United: Ben Williams, Mark Tierney, Pat Baldwin, Ashley Vincent, Dean Hammond, Simon Hackney, Lee Beevers, Magnus Okuonghae, David Perkins, Steven Gillespie, Scott Vernon

Subs :Alan Maybury (for Tierney 56), Clive Platt (for Gillespie 56), Kem Izzet (for Vincent 56), David Fox (for Hackney 56), Joel Thomas (for Vernon 67), Anthony Wordsworth (for Hammond 69). Not Used : Mark Cousins, Sam Corcoran, Russell Malton

Referee : Ron James

Diamonds Man of the Match : Rob Wolleaston

Attendance: 505

The Diamonds pre-season campaign prior to this game was :-

Date	Opponent	Result	Scorers
Tue 07/07/09	Rothwell Town	3-1	Cousins, Tomlin, Porter
Wed 15/07/09	Blackpool	1-1	O'Connor
Fri 17/07/09	Barnstaple	3-1	Smith, Farrell, O'Connor
Sat 18/07/09	Grimsby	1-4	Cousins
Wed 22/07/09	Nottingham Forest	1-1	O'Connor
Sat 25/07/09	Milton Keynes	2-1	O'Connor (2)
Mon 27/07/09	Corby Town	2-2	Tomlin, Smith
Wed 29/07/09	Peterborough	2-0	Reid, Farrell

(click on the team name for the match report)