The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

This thread could be redundant by 5pm tomorrow- as I fear if we fail to win then we're out of it.

Personally, I cannot see tomorrow's game versus Newcastle being a draw. Its a must win for both of us.

Looking at the fixtures, IMO Stocksbridge with their recent form and performance against us (deservedly) have 4th spot wrapped up. That leaves Basford, ourselves, Lincoln and Newcastle all vying for 5th spot (and possibly the chance of a spanking in Cheshire on a Tuesday night). Leek are too far off now (but wont believe that themselves which could do us a faviour tomorrow.) Personally I feel Basford are our biggest threat to 5th.

Prediction time...

Diamonds v Newcastle Diamonds win
Leek v Lincoln Lincoln win
Stocksbridge v Market Drayton Stocksbridge win

Carlton v Basford Basford win
Chasetown v Stocksbridge Stocksbridge win
Lincoln v Spalding Draw
Newcastle v Leek Newcastle win
Stamford v Diamonds Diamonds win

Diamonds v Carlton Diamonds win
Basford v Newcastle Basford win
Romulus v Lincoln Lincoln win
Stocksbridge v Bedworth Stocksbridge win

4th Stocksbridge 75pts
5th Diamonds 73pts
____________________
6th Basford 72pts
7th Lincoln 71pts
8th Newcastle 67pts


Of course, we could just win all 3 and a playoff place is almost guaranteed.

Basford must be kicking themselves. Had it not been for a 3-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season they'd be ahead of us.

It really has been such a strange season for us given how inconsistent we have been yet we still manage to find ourselves in 5th. I notice that we have the lowest number of points for any team currently in a play-off spot in any of the Step 2, Step 3 and Step 4 leagues. 11 leagues in total. I think that says a lot about this league and the competitiveness of it, with any team capable of beating any other (with the exception of the top 2).

Not sure if anyone has seen but Witton Albion have been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player against Stocksbridge on February 11th. Congratulations to Shaw Lane on winning the title. Witton away then if we make the Play-Offs!

BartonRaz wrote:Basford must be kicking themselves. Had it not been for a 3-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season they'd be ahead of us.

It really has been such a strange season for us given how inconsistent we have been yet we still manage to find ourselves in 5th. I notice that we have the lowest number of points for any team currently in a play-off spot in any of the Step 2, Step 3 and Step 4 leagues. 11 leagues in total. I think that says a lot about this league and the competitiveness of it, with any team capable of beating any other (with the exception of the top 2).

That doesn't surprise me that we/this league has the lowest amount of points for the play offs in step 4 level, because this is the toughest step 4 league. And that lowest points proves it even more.

A few stats this season compared to last season.

Last season stats (Southern Central League)

23, Won
8, Draw
11, Lost
81, Goals
44, Conceded
77, Points

13, Clean Sheets
7, 4 or more plus goals (for us)


This season stats (Northern South League)

19, Won
11, Draw
11, Lost
68, Goals
51, Conceded
68, Points

10, Clean Sheets
4, 4 or more plus goals (for us)



It looks like we'll be put back into the Southern Central League next season, which is ace/good for us because this suits us/style better.

Plus Northern South League looks an even tougher league next season (Ilkeston, Corby, Peterborough Sports, Cleethorpes, near Grimsby/Hull etc)