The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Official Match Preview

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... 13th-april

Also on during the day in the Crosskeys Bar.

Salford City v Maidenhead United National League 12:35 BT Sport

And after the match

Man Utd v West Ham Premier League 17:30 BT Sport

Jon Dunham's preview for the weekend match (and a mention of the following week, and some other local team).

https://twitter.com/JonDunhamNT/status/ ... 2712588288



AFC Rushden & Diamonds and K*ttering Town will go head-to-head again on Easter Monday. Picture by Peter Short

Jon Dunham's latest article ahead of tomorrow's match.

https://twitter.com/JonDunhamNT/status/ ... 4202099713



Andy Peaks is hoping for one final effort from his AFC Rushden & Diamonds team as they prepare to take on second-placed Stourbridge this weekend

Putting the K*ttering match to one side let’s focus on the Stourbridge game. They have blown hot and cold for weeks but deserve their play off position. Today we need to be in an attacking attitude and I’m hoping the selection and team set up reflects the need to create goal scoring opportunities. Yes two up front and yes let’s have two midfield players with instruction to get forward down the middle when opportunity is there. And let’s pass the ball accurately to feet.With the two wing backs both can cover any gaps if we get outnumbered in the middle and as defensive unit we are top drawer.
Let’s go for a win and keep the crowd interested till end of season.

Harry Flashman wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:43 am Putting the K*ttering match to one side let’s focus on the Stourbridge game. They have blown hot and cold for weeks but deserve their play off position. Today we need to be in an attacking attitude and I’m hoping the selection and team set up reflects the need to create goal scoring opportunities. Yes two up front and yes let’s have two midfield players with instruction to get forward down the middle when opportunity is there. And let’s pass the ball accurately to feet.With the two wing backs both can cover any gaps if we get outnumbered in the middle and as defensive unit we are top drawer.
Let’s go for a win and keep the crowd interested till end of season.

Doesn't seem the case as Lorraine starts up front on his own and Curtis and Westbrook come into the team. Also aquaye gets a start which he deserves

Didn't make the St. Ives game last week, but today was an improvement on the other recent performances I've seen from an entertainment perspective. Still lacking in attacking threat although I guess this isn't likely to alter at this late stage in the season.

The major positives from our point of view was that Nathan Hicks excelled in an unfamiliar box-to-box role and took his goal fantastically well. Aside from that, I thought Ben Acquaye impressed and probably left most people scratching their heads as to why he hasn't been used more often when we've been crying out for someone like that over the past couple of months.

Stourbridge were marginally the better side although we went toe-to-toe with them for most of the game. The major change was when Luke Benbow came on, he's clearly a cut above this level and caused us constant problems for the last 20 minutes. With our defence looking so solid, what we would give to have a player like that next season.

Stourbridge impressed with their passing, control and movement coming forward although the number 7 fell to ground too easily.
Nathan had a first half purple patch where his work rate and tenacity caused problems. Lovely finish.
Although result probably irrelevant now I was disappointed how we set up. Tom again was ploughing a lonely furrow. Surely we should have put Ben D alongside him. Even occasional flashes showed he would have made some impact.
Again going flat back 4 we surrendered territory where wing backs could have given Stour a little more to think about in the middle third and forced their wide players back.
The management will be seeing clearly where, within our resources, we need to strengthen next season.

Jon Dunham's report, post match.

https://twitter.com/JonDunhamNT/status/ ... 6011070469



Assistant-manager Paul Lamb, captain Liam Dolman and manager Andy Peaks cut frustrated figures after the final whistle as AFC Rushden & Diamonds were beaten 2-1 by Stourbridge at Hayden Road. Pictures by Alison Bagley

That defeat was more entertaining than most of our drawn games this season. Credit to Stourbridge possibly for that. I see Bedford are in fourth place having only drawn two games and lost 15. Where would we have been if still two points for a win?