Beachboys beached by Findlay

CONCORD RGRS 1 AFC RUSHDEN 3

RUSHDEN all-but-finished this tie as a contest with a three-goal blitz in the opening 19 minutes, taking full advantage of some slack Concord defending.

Both sides finished with ten men after stoppage-time dismissals.

But the game was long over, with Rushden keeper Matt Findlay providing an obstacle to a stirring Concord rally.

Another six minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage when a right-wing cross evaded all yellow heads and fell for the unmarked Tom Lorraine who headed into the empty net.

The visitors were on song and duly added a third on 19 minutes. A well-placed corner found Jack Ashton who tidily put the ball away.

Concord were struggling but they did rally towards the end of the half and six minutes before the break were handed a potential lifeline..

Joao Carlos’s dangerous run was ended when he was flattened in the penalty area and Steve Cawley tucked the resultant spot-kick into the bottom left hand corner.

Concord came out with a bit of purpose in the second half.

Mark Onyemah latched onto a through ball and found himself one on one with Rushden custodian Matt Finlay who saved well with his legs.

The hosts kept knocking at the door and another one on one was squandered when Jay Dowie burst through but Finlay saved again.

Cawley came close to notching a second but his low left-footed effort was palmed wide by that man Findlay.

Three more Findlay saves kept the Beachboys at bay before two men received their marching orders.

Both Bunting for Rushden and Carlos for Concord picked up second bookings in separate incidents.

STAR MAN: Matt Findlay (AFC Rushden) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★