[ Sat 21st Nov ] v Beaconsfield SYCOB, KO 3pm SL1DC HOME

[Rushden123]

A really poor and flat performance that only slightly got better in the second half. Nobody who was at the game can deny they deserved there equaliser. One of our problems is we haven't had a decent strike partnership all season, Lorraine is simply not good enough for the step up in level from last season. As for Herbert's one on one finish.....

[rushdenman]

I think the over the top criticism of Herbert is unwarranted. Yes, he did miss the one on one, but he hasn't played for weeks so lacks match sharpness, I thought we looked more of a threat when he came on.

[AFCRD_Dan]

Thought we had the chances to win the game, but didn't take them, which has been the story of our season so far.

Beaconsfield will be delighted with the draw, probably one of the best sides passing wise that we've faced this season, in my opinion.

[SwildAFCRD]

Thought Beaconsfield were very good and more than deserved their point. Not sure what it is about the last minute goals that keeps getting us, concentration, complacency, whatever it is I'm sure Peaksy will do his all to sort it. To think Herbert has played league football after what we saw today is ridiculous, but he hasn't played in a fair while. Must give a mention to Tommy B, absolutely class goal.

[therushden]

You've got to score when you're on top. We wasted our chances and got caught. Bring on Tuesday.

[corby diamond]

Another frustrating performance, but full credit to Beaconsfield who passed the ball and simply looked more hungrier!! If anything think the lads need to consider themselves lucky they didn't lose the match overall..

Bottom line is they create a lot, play some good football but just don't take their chances. It was the same at Aylesbury Wednesday.. They could have scored 3-4 more Wednesday but just ain't clinical enough in front of goal.. The end of the first half today apart from the goal I don't think their keeper was tested once.. What's happening with Tom liversedge? Tom Lorraine ain't sharp enough at present in my opinion and needs a rest.

1-1. They scored in the 89th minute after some comically bad defending.

Courtney Herbert is an absolute fraud, he's genuinely useless. Offers nothing and is one of the worst players I've seen in a Diamonds shirt ever. Once again, Claudio was selfish, greedy and always looked to beat his man instead of getting rid of the ball.

Bit harsh on Courtney considering he ain't played in a few weeks. Thought he done well when he came on and linked up with Lorraine quite well.
Wonder if your opinion would have been different had he scored the one on one?

The only thing I'm going to say on that matter is there is too much arsing around in these situations, same with Tommy Berwick Wednesday.. Why the hell don't they just pull the trigger first time and shoot on sight??

On the bright side we didn't lose. The table is much more positive providing we win the games in hand and take maximum points. Back to winning ways Tuesday!!

Hope the jack Ashton collection went well!!

[Pigman]

Nowhere near sharp enough in front of goal and in my opinion threw away 2 points today!

I'm not saying Beaconsfield didn't deserve the point, they're a decent side, but we had the chances to put the game away and didn't take them! They got what they deserved - but a goal up with minutes to go, we should have seen it out.

In my opinion we need to bring in a few players to liven things up a bit! It's all a bit too comfortable at the moment - play mediocre? It's not a problem, you're in the side for the next game because you've got no-one pushing for your place! The squad needs a challenge and a freshen up! Don't like being dropped to the bench? Want to throw your toys out of the pram because "you're too good to be on the bench" Jog on then! We as fans deserve better than that!

I'll probably regret posting this in the cold light of day - but that's how I feel right now ! It's a draw - but to me it feels like a loss!

Some players did their jobs today and did them really well, they know who they are, likewise those that didn't.

I've got every faith in Peaksy to sort it out, and we're 4th in the table so we're doing something right, but I think he needs some new blood in to shake it up a bit and I think he needs it soon!

We've got to win our home games!

[paulg]

Thanks to all those whose efforts in the week ensured today's game could go ahead, and it was great to put money in the Jack Ashton bucket. Loved Hall's pass for Berwick's neat finish and Beaconsfield, as predicted on this thread before the game, were a very useful side. Think a point apiece was just about right on balance over the 90.

Think we're in a league where any from the top 8 could win it come May.

[James Beil]

Staying positive, if we only took draws from all the games in hand we would still be equal on points with the leaders - perhaps not all doom and gloom then!

As some have already suggested, time to look for alternatives I think. Herbert for whatever reason hasn't looked good enough; he can dribble with the ball but unfortunately seems to lack end product - maybe the talk of the football league and his own expectations of himself are affecting his performance?

Time for young Ackroyd and Pinder to get a start, I think. We've seen that they can produce when they come on from the bench and given today's performance, I hardly think there's anyone keeping them out of the side. A little experimentation now whilst we can still afford to drop points might go a long way to securing the title if we're lucky.

Always next week though - COYD!

[Trek]

Unfortunately our failure to see out a game when defending a narrow lead has cost two lost points and mirrors the disappointment experienced at St Ives and Ware. We are starting to look somewhat thin on the striking front and really need an alternative to Tom Lorraine and Courtney Herbert, unfortunately, clearly isn't the answer. The only time Tom looked like scoring was at the wrong end, when living up to his nickname 'shanked' the ball onto his own cross bar. All his other efforts on goal never troubled the Beaconsfield keeper.

The team now have a golden opportunity on Tuesday evening to get back on track against a struggling Leighton Town side, with one of our games in hand, and anything less than 3 points and a 3 or 4 goal tally will set alarm bells ringing.

In other news the much maligned Jake Newman scored a hat-trick for Spalding United this afternoon. There may be a few fans watching our match at the Dog & Duck who would probably agree that he may have converted some of the many wasted scoring opportunities.