The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

OK folks - it's that time again. The players are back in training - though probably some like Sam Brown never stopped - day after last game of season, was his first day of pre-season prep I suspect. The grass has been cut a few times up at Hayden Road , even the stalky bits, and the Groundsman may even let the players use the pitch for a bit - even if it's a bit too early really ;-)

Our opening friendly at Hayden Road, will take place on 15th July - this will also be the Annual Dale Roberts Memorial Cup Game.

Official Match Preview - http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... -15th-july

Note: This is at HAYDEN ROAD, Rushden, NN10 0HX as are all the Pre-Season Friendlies, with the exception of Wednesday 2nd August when we take on Winslow United at Hillgrounds, Kempston, Bedford @ 7.45pm

Full Pre-Season Schedule may be found here - http://www.afcdiamonds.com/pre-season-friendly-schedule

Note: Fans can get a free, early look at the Hayden Road Stadium, which is currently undergoing works for ground grading, by popping along to this Saturday's (8th July) Game of Rushden & Higham Utd v Higham Town. As per their twitter - it's Free Entry, and the Burger Monster will be cooking too.



Party in the Park is also on in Rushden Hall Park , and there will be an AFCDiamonds Community Presence at the event.

<BUMP> Updated with the Official Match Preview Link - please read the article - also talks about parking options etc...

what was the attendance figure yesterday?

Good to see the concreting has begun

297 I heard.
A tough first game but we kept going so happy with the effort and some promising newcomers.

There looked a massive gulf in class between us and Barwell for the first 45; not surprising really given they're a league above, and I believe that was their 4th pre-season game. Second half though we turned it around and were the better side, although didn't create a great deal. Difficult to judge any of the new players based on that game, but I though Joel Gyasi was excellent when he came on; a great run and cross to force the own goal. Far too early to get carried away by any of the performances though (positively or negatively) as we've all seen players who looked like world beaters in pre-season turn out to be complete donkeys once the competitive games start, and vice versa.

Great entertainment for a pre-season game though, with plenty of full blooded challenges!

Having seen us against Barwell on 3 occasions now, I do think there is a significant difference between the standard of football at step 3 and step 4, certainly far bigger than the jump between steps 4 to 5 and 5 to 6. If/when we do get promoted from this league, I think we'd struggle to challenge at the business end of the SLP straight away, as we have done previously.

I know it was only his first game but Kojak or Puskas, whatever his name was, really ISN'T a solution to our centre back crisis at the moment! Hope that Peaksy can bring in someone as we're desperately light in this area at the moment!!