Halstead Town 0-7 Rushden and DiamondsThe difference in quality was obvious at Rosemary Lane as Garry Hill named a team consisting of experience, young talent and triallists. In heavy rain, Rushden lined up in their red kit, with Alan Marriott in goal, Curtis Osano at right-back, and triallists Justyn Roberts, Sagi Burton and Gareth Jelleyman making up the rest of the defence. Lee Tomlin and Mason Mount Jersey Marcus Kelly provided the attakc from either flank, with Scott Mitchell and captain Curtis Woodhouse controlling the middle of the park. Lee Phillips partnered Dean McDonald up front.It was no surprise therefore that Diamonds soon dominated the action. Tomlin produced a mazy run full of silky skills and a cheeky nutmeg, gaining a corner. Kelly whipped in a great corner which found Sagi Burton unmarked at the far post, but the goalkeeper deflected his header around the post. Shortly before the 15 minute mark, Rushden took the lead, as Tomlin and Osano worked together down the right. Lee Phillips gathered LAFC Jersey the ball just inside the box, and he unselfishly laid the ball off to Scott Mitchell, who rifled the ball in the far left corner. Just 8 minutes later, Diamonds scored again, as Tomlin and Phillips combined once more, but this time the ex-Torquay man set up Dean McDonald who slotted home from the penalty spot. Lee Tomlin then started to show some style with twists and backheels, and he scored a brilliant goal from his own work after 25 minutes. Tomlin twisted his marker inside out, before running into the box and fired the ball easily into the right hand corner. Dean McDonald continued to threaten the home defence with his speed and strength, and his stinging shot was palmed wide Italy National Team Jersey by the ever-busy Richard Wood. The resulting corner was taken by Marcus Kelly, who found Lee Tomlin at the far post who smartly headed home.Half-time: Halstead Town 0-4 Rushden and DiamondsWith the result in the bag, manager Garry Hill made significant changes during the break. Phil Gulliver and Michael Wylde replaced Roberts and Burton, and Jamie McGuinne s replaced Tomlin on the right. Andy Burge s replaced Kelly on the left, Jake Beecroft came on for Mitchell, and Michael Rankine replaced Lee Phillips up front.The start of the second half was largely uneventful, with the new set of players taking time to get used to the difficult conditions. McGuinne s provided a great cro s for Michael Rankine, who somehow managed to mi s the target from 6 yards. Just when it looked as though the game might fizzle out, Rushden went goal crazy. Beecroft Kylian Mbappe Jersey executed a brilliant lofted ball to Rankine who nodded the ball to Dean McDonald, before the striker slotted the ball home from an incredibly tight angle. Hill made the final round of subs with Joe Day replacing Marriott in goal, Chris Hope replacing Woodhouse, and Roberts returning Spain National Team Jersey to replace Jelleyman. Marcus Kelly also reappeared to replace Burge s, who hobbled down the tunnel.Chris Hope tamely struck the wall with his trademark free-kick, before he had his header cleared off the line. However, Rushden did get their sixth goal when Curtis Osanos left footed piledriver was flicked in by Dean McDonald. There was still time for one last goal, as a long run by Michael Rankine was halted in the box by a Halstead defender, before Rankine dusted himself off to convert the penalty.Full-time: Halstead Town 0-7 Rushden and DiamondsAttendance : 104 (51 away)Man of the match: Dean McDonald