Rushden & Diamonds face Morecambe in FA Cup fourth qualifying round

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

AFC Rushden & Diamonds, a phoenix club founded in 2011, host Morecambe in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds host Morecambe of the National League North in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday at Hayden Road. The Northamptonshire-based phoenix club, founded in 2011 following the collapse of the original Rushden & Diamonds, is one of only five sides remaining from the extra preliminary round. A victory would send them to the first round proper, matching their best-ever run in the competition.

Rushden & Diamonds have already beaten Long Eaton United, Desborough Town and Peterborough Sports this campaign, and shocked sixth-tier Braintree Town of the National League South earlier this month to reach the fourth qualifying round. The club started their FA Cup journey with a 5-0 win at Kimberley Miners Welfare on 8 August.

Club captain Joel Nketia, 25, said the team approaches the match with both confidence and respect. 'Any player at our level wants to test themselves. What better experience than for it to be against Morecambe,' he told BBC Radio Northampton. Nketia described the upcoming match as 'massive' for the club and its supporters.

How it is being reported

• Rushden & Diamonds phoenix club target FA Cup firstAFC Rushden & Diamonds are ready to "write history" by reaching the FA Cup first round proper, the club's captain says.BBC Northamptonshire · 16 Oct, 14:49
• Diamonds on the brink of 'something massive' as they gear up for FA Cup showdownAFC Rushden & Diamonds are on the brink of creating history.Northants Telegraph · 16 Oct, 09:05

In this story: AFC Rushden & Diamonds · Morecambe · Joel Nketia · Northamptonshire

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