[Mon 2nd May] v St Ives Town, KO 3:00pm SL1DC PO Final AWAY

[SouthRushdenJFC]

Full-time 2-1 defeat.

From listening to the radio the lads gave it everything. No disgrace in losing when you've worked your socks off.

[Three of Diamonds]

We just weren't quite good enough. There was a lack of quality, and midfield didn't win sufficient second balls. A good experience considering where we were 7 or 8 games ago.

[ParcelFace]

Biggest game of the season and we get the biggest cockwomble of a ref I've ever seen!!!
Sh*t officials, sh*t pitch, sh*t ground, sh*t weather. :(((
Shame we couldn't pick up where we left off on Tuesday, didn't show as much passion or energy. Really should've had more decisions go our way too.

Also a massive shame about some of the fans on the far side from the clubhouse, really unnecessary.

[Oundle Diamond #2]

So gutted, and I wasn't even there. To think we are going to spend another year at this level is frustrating where it's quite clearly beneath where we belong, but hey ho, fair play to St Ives, they're probably the only other club in the division with any credible fanbase.

Roll on next year, no away days for us Southern exiles. To think we were four minutes from K*ttering and co. is painful, but it's time to learn from this year and make sure we win the title next year. COYD!

[Olly]

The goal and the celebrations was another one of those Barwell/Dover/Cambridge City moments, absolute scenes behind the goal, what a fantastic moment and at 1-0 with 5 or so minutes to go we were nearly there in the Southern Prem. But to be a few minutes away from promotion and lose it in extra time was very tough to take, so close, yet so far and walking out the ground watching the celebrations of the opposition hurts and it must have been tough for the players having to walk through the celebrations, but that's football for you, we've had a lot of success in our short history so far and we'll just have to pick ourselves up again for the Hillier Cup final and then next season and rebuild for next season.

Can't quite decide whether I want us to be moved to the NPL South or not, on the one hand I always like an opportunity to visit new grounds and looking down the list of clubs in that league, I'd say the quality of grounds is higher as well. But I imagine it would potentially be a tougher league to play in and we'd possibly have a better chance of promotion back in the SL Central for a second season, so we'll have to see.

But well done to the lads for getting this far, it's a gutting end to the season, but it's a big achievement to make the Playoff final in your first season in a division and the semi final win was a superb and memorable night. And wonderful support from everyone today too, great atmosphere and amazing crowd of over 1500 like I hoped it would be

[stivesdiamond]

Certainly can't fault the effort and maybe another year at this level will help us strengthen. We missed Claudiu, too many long balls, need to keep the ball on the ground more and keep possession - but live to fight another day!

[Bob's Bitch]

So gutted, and I wasn't even there. To think we are going to spend another year at this level is frustrating where it's quite clearly beneath where we belong, but hey ho, fair play to St Ives, they're probably the only other club in the division with any credible fanbase.

I disagree, I think another year or two at this level will do the club good in the long run. I don't have any problems with this league TBH.

[TheIncognitoKid]

Great effort, especially in the second half but what is it with this team conceding In the 90th minute? It looked like it would be won by the odd goal and so it was.

[FOOTYMAN]

Gutted, we were within 5 minutes of promotion, another late goal conceded and then we were up against it. We didn't deserve to lose, but, we didn't have the dominant attack to kill the game. Great atmosphere, awful pitch, dire official and a few idiots causing a nuisance which we don't need. Good luck to St.lves, they did well on the day. We can be proud of a decent campaign and get ready to go for this level next season. Nice to see Shariff having some time, he will be the main striker next year.
Well done Andy Peaks (hope he stays) and the team for an enjoyable season.

[Rushden123]

Really poor game on a dreadful pitch, unfortunately we couldn't get near the levels of Tuesday nite. Bowen was so isolated and all we seemed to do was lump it up to him and expect him to work miracles. Claudio was a big miss.