vs. Raunds Town Spartan South Midlands Division One Saturday 23rd December 2023, 2pm Kick Off
Welcome to Hayden Road Welcome back to Hayden Road for a rare game at home in what has proven to be a very stop - start season. We welcome onto the playing staff Ciarian Tiernan, James Lewis and Oliver Walsh who have all transferred over from the AFC Rushden & Diamonds Under 23s side that folded last month We also welcome James Elkington-Soan from Irchester, Liam Rodden who was previously with Huntingdon, Luke Moos who has previously been with Langford and Barton Rovers and Corey Bulley who previously played for Kempston Rovers and Buckingham Athletic. Also returning to the club is Rushden & Higham’s all time leading goal soccer Jory Mann, hopefully Jory can find the back of the net with the regularity he has in his previous spells. So once again today we ask you to get behind the boys as they start to claw their way back up the table.
Rushden & Higham United FC Hayden Road Rushden Northamptonshire NN10 0HX Admission:
£6 Adults £3 Concessions £0 Under 12s
Chairman: Adie Mann Secretary: Scott Freeman Bar: Gina Wrighton Gate: Helen Whitehead Groundsman: Mark Panter Programme: Simon Swingler Phil Summers Front Cover: Holmer Green FC Twitter: @RandHUFC Instagram: rushdenandhigham.fc Email: rhufcsec@yahoo.co.uk
Raunds Town Raunds Town was founded in 1946. There had been other teams with "Raunds" in the title as long ago as 1896–97, but at a meeting in the town's Temperance Hall in May 1946 a new amalgamated club was formed. The club is nicknamed "The Shopmates" in reference to the local boot and shoe industry, which was largely workshop-based. In 1950 the Shopmates joined the United Counties League (formerly the Northamptonshire League), playing in the Second Division. They did not set the league on fire, and after switching between the divisions settled in Division One after the former first division was redesignated the Premier Division. A season in Division Two in 1979–80 seemed to wake them up: after the division was disbanded at the end of that season, the Shopmates returned to Division One and were promoted as champions in 1982–83. Raunds Town embarked upon an ambitious programme. Having played at Greenhouse Field for two years at the start, they moved to The Berristers for thirty-three seasons and in 1991 they moved to Kiln Park. The stadium adjacent to the A45 was designed to host football at a higher level. The Shopmates' on-field performance matched this munificence. In 1992–93 they won at Northwich Victoria 2–0 to eliminate their hosts from the FA Cup in the Second Qualifying Round, thus far the only time a UCL club has eliminated Conference opposition from the competition. In 1994–95 the Shopmates lost the FA Vase semi-final against Arlesey having led 3–0 after the first leg. The following season they were eliminated in the quarter-final by Bristol club Mangotsfield United. In 2006–07 the Shopmates eliminated Isthmian League side Enfield from the FA Cup by way of a 2–1 away win, gaining revenge for a reverse in the same competition eight seasons before.
Raunds Town Meanwhile, in the United Counties League, the leadership of manager Keith Burt led an assault on the top of the table. Having lost out on the championship on goal difference in 1994–95, Raunds seized the title the following season. They were duly promoted to the Southern League, where they took their place in the Midland Division. However, they suffered from their geographical location close to the boundary between the divisions and in 1998–99, the Shopmates were shifted to the Southern Division, which was renamed the Eastern Division the following season. This had financial implications, not least the cost of travelling, and for two seasons Raunds Town struggled. Manager Keith Burt resigned, and the club had little option but to apply for re-admission to the United Counties League at the end of 1999–2000. In the 2012–13 season, Raunds Town were managed by Stuart Brown. 2013-14 saw the arrival of co-managers James Le Masurier and Scott Manning. At the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League. Honours United Counties League Premier Division Runners Up: 1991-92, 1994-95 United Counties League Division One Champions: 1982-83 FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round 1998-99 FA Vase Semi Finals 1994-95
The Lankies 1-1 Irchester Utd Since our last home game over a month ago many new faces have popped up in The Lankies line up as Aaron Cormack strengthens his squad has we endeavour to claw our way back up the table. The matchday sixteen saw potential home debuts for James Lewis, James Elkington - Soan, Ollie Walsh, Luke Moos, Liam Rodden and Corey Bulley. Our injury list however still persisted with Dave Hunt, Mitchell Sharpe and Damien Koltun still sidelined. The Romans nearly plundered an early goal when a ball over the top, which we struggled with all night was smartly cut out by an alert Jayden Mann in the Lankies goal. The game flowed in an entertaining manner with chances at both ends, Jayden Mann was once again called into action in the 12th minute and a few seconds later his Irchester counterpart was busy denying James Elkington-Soan at the other end. This pattern continued with Jayden Mann once again clearing up behind his defence followed shortly afterwards with James Lewis glancing a header just wide. A break through seemed to be on the cards in the 25th minute when the referee pointed to the spot to award Irchester a penalty, however The Lankies faithful were relieved to see the spot kick struck over the crossbar. Seven minutes later Irchester atoned for the missed penalty when another long ball down the middle undid the defence and this time the opposition striker made no mistake rounding Jayden and opening the scoring. The Lankies nearly struck back straight away when Louis McMahon saw his effort from distance cannon back off the woodwork with the Irchester keeper stranded.
The Lankies 1-1 Irchester Utd With the last kick of the half The Lankies finally drew level after a plethora of missed opportunities, Alfie Bowdler cut inside from the wing and unleashed a fine effort which for once found the impressive Irchester keeper floundering. The second half wasn’t quite as entertaining as it’s predecessor, however it wasn’t without it’s highlights. Liam Rodden and Luke Moos came on for their home debuts replacing the ever immaculate Hugh Walker and the tigerish Ben Peaks. James Lewis nodded another effort just wide of the post, then the Irchester keeper made a fingertip save from a tremendous run and shot by the impressive Alfie Bowdler. Then disaster struck has the referee once again pointed to spot late on to seemingly give all three points to the visitors, however this time the penalty taker saw his effort saved brilliantly by Jayden Mann who would quite rightly go on to secure the Man of the Match Award. The final act of the game saw James Lewis seemingly felled in the box, however the referee wasn’t interested and a very entertaining game concluded with both sides enjoying a share of the spoils. LINEUP: Jayden Mann, Munya Matiyenga, Mason Jackson, Ben Peaks, Jack Bloodworth, Austin Bishop, James Lewis, Hugh Walker, James Elkington-Soan, Louis McMahon, Alife Bowdler. Subs: Ben Cormack, Liam Rodden, Luke Moos, Corey Bulley, Ollie Walsh. MOTM: Jayden Mann
The Murkiness of Italian Football When Inter threw the Derby d’Italia The biggest game in Italy is always a spectacle. Juventus’ matches against Internazionale are nicknamed the Derby d’Italia, and for good reason. The Bianconeri are out in front of all of their domestic opponents, consistently the team to beat on the peninsula and boasting an impressive record of trophies. Inter are their closest rivals, both in terms of titles won (although Milan have now joined them) and in terms of the ferocity of their duels, far surpassing the Turin derby for Italy’s most successful club. You might expect, then, that the record between the two is always close, even if one side gains the ascendency for a period. You might not expect, from a fiercely contested season, for the record result between the teams to be a 9-1 drubbing by Juventus of their Milanese rivals. But it’s not quite as it seems. Approaching seven years without a Scudetto, in the summer of 1960 Inter made perhaps the most important decision in their history, approaching Spanish giants Barcelona for permission to talk to their Argentinian manager. The arrival of Helenio Herrera at the San Siro immediately improved their fortunes, and over the course of the 1960s would lead to significant successes, including three league titles in four years and two successive European Cups. But when he arrived in Italy, Juventus were the reigning champions, and were still the side to beat. Herrera’s rejuvenated Inter held the early ascendency in the season, beating Juventus 3-1 at home before Christmas, but struggled to maintain their form after the break, with a relentless Juventus piling pressure on their rivals, and Inter breaking under it. They lost five games going into the return fixture in April, and needed a win to maintain their title hopes. Herrera’s new catenaccio would have to be at its absolute best to cope with Juventus hero Omar Sivori, who seemed able to score from nothing.
The Murkiness of Italian Football They started brightly, and were the stronger side against the hosts, whose fans grew more and more enraged at their side’s inability to impress themselves onto the game. At one point, Inter broke, catching Juventus up the pitch, and hit the post with their chance. That was the moment the dam broke, and riotous Juventus fans spilled onto the pitch. Chased from the stadium, the Inter players took refuge in the changing rooms, until the referee decided to abandon the match due to crowd trouble. When Herrera and his players made their way back to Milan, news came through that they had been awarded the match 2-0, closing the gap to within a single game. Inter used the awarding of the result to spur them on for the rest of the season, which the Italian FA - the FIGC - fell into disarray. Going into the final games of the season, Juventus still led the league, but a loss at Fiorentina would give Inter a chance to secure their first title since the mid-1950s. The FIGC, however, had appointed Umberto Agnelli as its president, and had other ideas. Despite the conflict of interest - the Agnelli family have owned Juventus since 1923 - they announced that the abandoned game would be replayed, and Inter’s 2-0 victory would be withdrawn. Inter protested that the FIGC were simply handing the title to the team owned by their president, and lost their final game with the distraction. Juventus secured the point they needed anyway, but the decision left an ill-tempered dead-rubber between the sides still to be played. In protest against the decision, Helenio Herrera and the Inter board decided to play the youth team in the 1961 Derby d’Italia. The youngsters simply couldn’t compete with the champions, and succumbed to a chastening defeat. Sivori helped himself to six goals in the game, taking him to within striking distance of the Capocannoniere, the award for the top goalscorer in the season. For Inter, the occasion was marked by a first goal for Sandro Mazzola, who would go on to become something of a legend himself.
The Murkiness of Italian Football Inter suffered further ignominy the following season, watching their city rivals lift the title before Herrera’s new system finally started producing results. Juventus, on the other hand, struggled against relegation following the 1961 season. The decade would eventually belong to Inter, but the rancour remained. As for the corruption at the heart of Italian football, there is a belief that has borne out throughout the following decades: Juventus might not always instigate the scandal, but they are always involved somewhere. And, after the 1961 debacle, who can argue? Enjoy the game. Martyn Green, The Untold Game Find more at TheUntoldGame.co.uk or on social media @TheUntoldGame
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Stat Attack
Jack Bloodworth
CENTURION - DAVE HUNT!
Charlie Dolden
League Table
The History of The Lankies
The History of The Lankies
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Next Up At Hayden Road
Rushden & Higham Utd
Raunds Town
Jayden MANN Munya MATIYENGA Mason JACKSON Mitchell SHARPE Jack BLOODWORTH James LEWIS Corey BULLEY Alfie BOWDLER James ELKINGTON-SOAN Callum DENCH Austin BISHOP Ben PEAKS Luke MOOS Louis McMAHON Charlie DOLDEN Hugh WALKER Oliver WALSH Jory MANN Damien KOLTUN Max WYNNE Liam RODDEN
Luke ARIDEGBE Corey BEATTIE Mathew BRIGGS Patrick BRONYAN Jack CAWKILL Joe FREEMAN Martin GARDINER Cameron HARRIS Joshua KEARNEY Tyrone KONDE Ryan LOVELL Dean McBRIDE Kurtis RANDALL Brady SHALFORD Rio THOMPSON Owen WELLS Charlie WILSON
MATCH OFFICIALS: CHARLES BRAVEN
BRUCE STEVENS
CARL HENRY