What a fantastic season! 10th was my pre-season prediction, but the management team of Justin Edinburgh and Michael Stone have done a fantastic job of knitting together a small squad of talented players that are serious play-off contenders this year.
Our recent run of form in the BSP has been nothing short of breathtaking. Since the start of the New Year we have won 8 and drawn 2, the only fly in the ointment being the 1-0 defeat to Oxford Utd courtesy of a very late and it has to be said controversial, penalty. 26 goals scored and a meagre 3 conceded in this run show the reasons for my play-off optimism (I’m writing this ahead of our games with Altrincham and Oxford Utd).
It’s impossible to single out players for individual praise as this has truly been the result of some fantastic team performances; demonstrated by having fifteen different goal scorers this season. Lee Tomlin heads the list with 12 BSP goals to his name. But we’re no “one man team“, Craig Farrell (9), Aaron O’Connor (9), Cliff Akurang (8) and, Jefferson Louis (7) all scoring freely - 62 goals scored overall shows that.
The midfield is lively and competitive and the mixture of maturity and youth is serving us well. P*** T**** has been the wise head and Mark Byrne the little terrier that so many of us have come to admire - it’s a good mix backed up with experienced Rob Wolleaston and young Max Porter.
The back line have been sensational recently, conceding just 3 goals in 11 games says it all. Jamie Stuart has marshalled his troops well and with Simon Downer alongside him, they have created an immensely impressive central defensive partnership. Kurt Robinson and Curtis Osano in the wider defensive positions both offer pace down the flanks - versatile Michael Corcoran has shown we have quality to drop into the defence when needed. They have all been immense. Get past them and you still have Dale Roberts in goal to beat and he is in the form of his life at the moment. The save he made late in the game against Stevenage’s David Bridges was simply world class. 1 goal conceded in 8 games (the Oxford Utd penalty) backs this up.
When we met you earlier in the season it was a really entertaining match, I actually think you’re one of the better teams I’ve seen at Nene Park this year. The game was settled by an early goal following a rare mistake by Simon Downer, who got caught in possession before Ross Montague’s 25 yard shot seemed to go through Nathan Abbey and into the corner of the net‘. He should have saved it to be honest. Missed penalties and shots off the post by Craig Farrell sealed our fate in what was a hugely entertaining and keenly contested match.
No matter what the end result of this season is, this particular Diamond has had a wonderful time. I’ve been lucky I guess, I’ve seen us gain promotion from the Beazer Homes Premier Division, be Conference Champions, compete in a 3rd Div play-off Final at Cardiff, be crowned 3rd Div Champions and see my club ply its trade in League 1 - all funded by magnificent backing from Max Griggs, a man who we will forever be grateful to for realising the dream. I’ve seen the bad times too.
Our fall from grace following the departure of Mr Griggs’ funding has been spectacular; from 7th in League 1 to relegation from the Football League. In our first season back in the BSP we hovered above the abyss for sometime, the unthinkable drop to below the BSP looking highly possible. We’ve seen some turbulent times at Nene Park these past few years, both on-field and off it. Since taking control of the club Chairman Keith Cousins has steadied the ship and brought in a manager who I think can see us back into the Football League, if not this season, then certainly next. It must be said, but for Mr Cousins stepping in when he did, I may not have a club to support, the financial situation was precarious to say the least - they were dark days. Any success we earn these days is in some ways far more enjoyable, the accusations of "buying" our Football League place are far behind us now.
The future is looking much brighter. Justin Edinburgh is a talented young manager who is really finding his feet here. I think we’re all resigned to losing him to a bigger club at sometime in the future, but I hope (and expect) him to see us into the Football League before he departs. My prediction for today? A hard fought 0-1 win for the Diamonds. Enjoy the game; if not the result!