The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Official Match Preview

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... th-october

Potters Bar Town are the club who give away free season tickets for all. Not really a stunning success though average attendance so far is 129.

With the two new signings this week it will be interesting to see who lines up in the starting XI. Clearly all the indication will be that the league games are as important as the FA Cup, but we can afford the odd defeat in the league, unlike the cup. With both Liversedge and Hall cup tied they may get the nod if there is any doubt about the fitness of a forward player ahead of the Barwell trip - perhaps Claudio might be given a place on the bench for the two league games and only used if we need something different to make sure he is ready for the cup game. Elliot will be suspended tomorrow and Tuesday anyway, so perhaps we''ll see Hall and Herbert on the flanks with any two of Berwick, Lorraine, Joseph and Liversedge up front. Quigley did well coming on from the bench last Saturday so perhaps he'll take on that role again tomorrow. The back four tends to pick itself - looking at the highlights of Tuesday's game was a reminder we don't have a lot of cover at left back. This season's unsung hero must be Matt Finlay - he's another we'd struggle to replace.

That's a fair point about Findlay. In previous seasons he was not been called upon that often as we tended to dominate games in the UCL, and hardly ever likely to be named MOTM but now we have stepped up a level he has been called upon to show just how good he can be, and to date has not let us down.

A couple of gentlemen had me puzzled with their opinion on Finlay when we played against Basford.

In the middle of moaning about him one of the gentlemen said, apparently the only reason he did as well as he did last season, was because the defense protected him!

I thought to myself, that's generally the job of the defenders! I guess there's no fool, like an old fool!

diamondgeezer1 wrote:A couple of gentlemen had me puzzled with their opinion on Finlay when we played against Basford.

In the middle of moaning about him one of the gentlemen said, apparently the only reason he did as well as he did last season, was because the defense protected him!

I thought to myself, that's generally the job of the defenders! I guess there's no fool, like an old fool!

You'll do well to find a better shot stopper at this level and his experience and handling, must bring a lot of confidence to the defence. Only part of his game that may be weak is his speed, but he makes up for it with his positioning. A key player for the side.

FT 3-2

Was a poor game for around 70 minutes or so, until Andy Hall came on and sparked us in to life. I think we can forgive him for playing for K*ttering when he scores one, and sets another up!! :lol:

But, yet again another poor showing from the officials. I know someone was moaning about the official twitter account commenting on the referee's, but is it any wonder when we get a clueless moron like we did today?! Was never a penalty, and booking Finlay for time wasting was pathetic!

But another three points at the end of the day. Still unbeaten in the league, roll on Tuesday!

Did Hall score the second? I thought he did but the announcer and twitter gave it to Lorraine. A debut to remember for Hall but not a great match to be honest. Probably the poorest game with five goals that you'll ever see, but a wins a win and still undefeated in the league

diamondgeezer1 wrote:Was a poor game for around 70 minutes or so, until Andy Hall came on and sparked us in to life. I think we can forgive him for playing for K*ttering when he scores one, and sets another up!! :lol:

But, yet again another poor showing from the officials. I know someone was moaning about the official twitter account commenting on the referee's, but is it any wonder when we get a clueless moron like we did today?! Was never a penalty, and booking Finlay for time wasting was pathetic!

But another three points at the end of the day. Still unbeaten in the league, roll on Tuesday!

Andy Hall was excellent certainly changed things when he came on, thought Tom Lorraine got both the goals though!
Don't agree about the ref' thought he was okay. Admittedly I was at the other end of the ground, but it looked a nailed on penalty to me. Finlay was unlucky with the booking we've seen far worse, but it often happens in these situations.