The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Official Match Preview

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... 23rd-april

A really tough warm up for the play offs. On current performances we will struggle to win this one.

Just been looking at form guide and Godalming are unbeaten in their last 10 away games.

Don't forget that the supporters' player of the season award will be presented before kick off so please arrive early!

I don't know if Matt Finlay will win the award, but he certainly deserves a special mention for being an "ever-present" in League Games as well as in the major cup competitions (50 games so far - the first Diamonds player to reach the half-century of games in a season). He's only missed one game all season, when Alex Vitue was given a game in the Red Insure Cup.

I voted for Matt - Sam Brown, if he'd stayed and carried on the way he was playing, would have got my vote - but Matt has been an unsung hero all season, I hope today he gets the recognition he deserves today !!

Pigman wrote:I voted for Matt - Sam Brown, if he'd stayed and carried on the way he was playing, would have got my vote - but Matt has been an unsung hero all season, I hope today he gets the recognition he deserves today !!

I went for Liam Dolman. I don't think he's been great lately (who has?) but without Liam and Claudiu this season we wouldn't be anywhere near this position. Claudiu's form has tailed off badly in 2016 but won games almost singlehandedly in 2015, so I don't think that'd be a wasted vote either.

Agree about Sam Brown.

Pigman wrote:I voted for Matt - Sam Brown, if he'd stayed and carried on the way he was playing, would have got my vote - but Matt has been an unsung hero all season, I hope today he gets the recognition he deserves today !!

Same. I can't really think of a game where he had a bad one. He certainly kept a few out as well. Dolman, Hoban and Harris will be in the running.

I also voted for Matt Finlay, he's handled the step up in leagues very well, and considering he had very little to do in many games last season he's adapted brilliantly to the challenges of this division, always showing great concentration and determination. Many of our points this season have been won thanks to crucial saves from him.

Claudio in 2nd place for me - there may have been some inconsistency with his form but in the games I've seen he's always kept plugging away and showed great strength in possession when being targeted physically by opposition players.

No Bully in defence today! Either a back 3 or Harris is playing centre back? Odd shirt numbers today, Claudio playing with number 8! Brilliant to see Shariff on the bench!!!