[ Sat 14th Sep ] Cockfosters v AFC R&D FA CUP

[BartonRaz]

Just wondering, I know people are been saying that we've got defensive problems but who would you want an upgrade on out of Merrill, Deakin, Clarke and Brown? Obviously I've not seen any of the recent games but on paper that looks like a good back four to me, especially with Harris in front of them and Cross behind them.

It's not necessarily always the defence that's this issue, more specifically it's the way we defend as a team. Wing-backs being left exposed, communication between 'keeper and defence. It's an issue of concentration involving the whole team IMO. The defenders are all good players in their own right - I think Clarke is excellent - but I do think we need Parky back involved as soon as we can or at least some experience to keep everyone focussed for 90 mins.

[Three of Diamonds]

I'll take a draw over a loss anyday, but it does seem to be a regular thing to concede soft headed goals. We just don't seem able to keep clean sheets this season do we? Oh well, another home replay, all money in the pot.

[Trek]

At the ground yesterday someone mentioned that Cockfosters had increased the prices from their normal charges, by £2 for an adult, and their recent FA Vase match against Cogenhoe. Trust this was done with our Club's agreement as it is a shared gate? Their normal prices were confirmed in a tweet to the BBC earlier this week by a Fosters fan.

"@BBCSport as an OAP I cannot afford PL game's I now watch Cockfosters fc cost £4 or £2 as OAP this Saturday FA Cup match at Cockfosters".

[Diamond White]

Now this is all getting a bit odd. On arrival at Dunstable I got chatting to one of their board who said they had raised their prices at our request. I asked around the rest of our board and nobody knew anything about it.

At half time yesterday I spoke to a couple of the Cockfosters committee and said that Dunstable increased their prices 'at our request' to our surpirse and they certainly gave me the impression that entry yesterday was consistent with their usual prices.

I guess it's something that we need to get used to and is part of our 'payback' to the football community for having a club previously that went under.

[Trek]

Now this is all getting a bit odd. On arrival at Dunstable I got chatting to one of their board who said they had raised their prices at our request. I asked around the rest of our board and nobody knew anything about it.

Formic queried this with me at the Dunstable match as he thought 'lower prices' had been displayed. He knew that I arrived early and I was the first through the turnstile and I actually paid the 'lower price'. It would appear that the prices were then changed by the turnstile operators. It does seem that some of these clubs are doing things on the 'hoof'.

[Trek]

More good coverage from the NT.

http://m.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport ... -1-5492803

[Formic]

Now this is all getting a bit odd. On arrival at Dunstable I got chatting to one of their board who said they had raised their prices at our request. I asked around the rest of our board and nobody knew anything about it.

Formic queried this with me at the Dunstable match as he thought 'lower prices' had been displayed. He knew that I arrived early and I was the first through the turnstile and I actually paid the 'lower price'. It would appear that the prices were then changed by the turnstile operators. It does seem that some of these clubs are doing things on the 'hoof'.

There's no doubt that when I arrived at Dunstable the sign boards were displaying different prices than they were when I entered the ground a while later. I was only glad I didn't post the lower prices on here (as I was tempted to do when I saw them), as I'm sure there would have been a few grumbles when people were confronted with the higher price later. It might be difficult to complain about the Cockfosters price, as it will match what we charge for the replay, but I certainly think there were many aspects of the Dunstable game that were questionable, as they also seemed to be offering reduced prices for members - which isn't expected for a shared gate. I think we were a bit surprised with how London Colney issued their complimentary tickets too - especially given how our committee don't take advantage of such things.

[Formic]

The Match Stats and Player Stats found in the First Team stats area are updated on the OWS. Updated player profiles are also available. You can also find updated fixture lists in the main fixture and results grid as well as on the Fixture News page, where there is a downloadable version.

[Formic]

Mal's pics are added to the Match Report - http://www.afcdiamonds.com/cockfosters- ... diamonds-2

[Olly]

I'll take a draw over a loss anyday, but it does seem to be a regular thing to concede soft headed goals. We just don't seem able to keep clean sheets this season do we? Oh well, another home replay, all money in the pot.

Indeed, not a great performance by any means, but we left with a home replay we know we can win and improve our performances, so I wasn't too dissatisfied leaving the ground, we're in the draw for the next round tomorrow (I assume its tomorrow?), so that's what's important, its results that count in the cup.