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

[corby diamond]

Gutted beyond words, minutes away from the final whistle and once again players fell asleep and conceded probably the most important goal of the season. Since then it gave st Ives the momentum to push on and the lads were always up against it.. Saying that their winner was something quite special... Full credit for the goal, but why the hell didn't dolman have that?

A great attendance at a poor ground, they won't get that attendance in a while. But what's done is done, it ain't really necessary to point out individuals on their performances.. But what a season, the ups and downs, the dramas and the cup runs, I am extremely proud to be a diamonds fan tonight!!

It's just a shame that some (I would say fans but clearly not) people decide to ruin the clubs good name.. But then again having a browse at K*ttering forum recently we seem to have crowd trouble at grounds this season.. Enfield in pre season and Kings Langley

I know every club has them but today I'm afraid there was a line which was crossed.. Well done to the usual guys who tried to create the same atmosphere as Royston.. On to next season!!!!

[Oundle Diamond #2]

Gutted beyond words, minutes away from the final whistle and once again players fell asleep and conceded probably the most important goal of the season. Since then it gave st Ives the momentum to push on and the lads were always up against it.. Saying that their winner was something quite special... Full credit for the goal, but why the hell didn't dolman have that?

A great attendance at a poor ground, they won't get that attendance in a while. But what's done is done, it ain't really necessary to point out individuals on their performances.. But what a season, the ups and downs, the dramas and the cup runs, I am extremely proud to be a diamonds fan tonight!!

It's just a shame that some (I would say fans but clearly not) people decide to ruin the clubs good name.. But then again having a browse at K*ttering forum recently we seem to have crowd trouble at grounds this season.. Enfield in pre season and Kings Langley

I know every club has them but today I'm afraid there was a line which was crossed.. Well done to the usual guys who tried to create the same atmosphere as Royston.. On to next season!!!!

Out of interest what happened re crowd trouble?

[AFCRD_Dan]

Obviously gutted we lost, but I said a week or two ago that it wouldn't be the end of the world if we didn't win today, and it isn't. Another year or two at this level will be good for the club.

The last thing we would want is to have been promoted today, and potentially been in a relegation battle next season.

It was a poor game though, poor stadium. Does make you wonder how St Ives passed ground grading, the pitch was one of the worst we've played on.

Was a shame a few mindless idiots decided to act like yobs, though.

Now we need to look to Thursday, and hopefully we'll be able to celebrate beating the scum.

[Mad Dog]

Unlucky lads, just wasn't meant to be. Thought overall we were the better team, and Quigley was immense. Certainly feel we can go again next year, but will be interesting given the Northern Premier Division One South is a tougher league technically and physically. On the other hand, think it will be fun.

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.

I'll be very surprised if we're in this league next year. My issue with staying at Step 4 long term is now we're on the boundary, if we're going back and forth between the North and South, it makes it harder to plan for the following season and build some stability.

This is the line up as it stands for next season:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... GQs3cTUKSc

[BartonRaz]

I'm disappointed in the manner of the defeat, but not disappointed generally. To be so close is of course gutting but in the long run I don't think this will do us any harm at all as others have said. I genuinely thought we were the better side today although we weren't really 'at it'.

I don't know whether the pitch or the wind was a factor in this but I thought the intensity in our play that served us so well on Tuesday night was lacking today. Our style of play had also reverted back to long ball which doesn't suit us and has never suited us. Having said that, there were still some excellent performances from the likes of Ashton and Quigley. Claudio was a big miss, his replacement did what he's done for the last couple of months - nothing.

Regardless of what league we're in next season, I think the aim is probably going to be to get promotion. This season we've carried passengers and had clear weak links that have been exploited by the better sides. There's no room for that next year. I'm sure it'll be a good one!

[Trek]

I'm disappointed in the manner of the defeat, but not disappointed generally. To be so close is of course gutting but in the long run I don't think this will do us any harm at all as others have said. I genuinely thought we were the better side today although we weren't really 'at it'.

Totally agree, chatting to a friendly Ives fan before the match and we discussed whether either club was ready for the step up and he expressed the personal view that his club weren't. They will enjoy continued revenue for the coming season from the Cambridge City 'ground share agreement' although that will end when City complete the build of their new facility at Sawston. How will Marhenike recruit improved players when he was already bemoaning his Step 4 budget? I will follow their progress with interest alongside Kings Langley although I predict both clubs will struggle in the SLP.

[diamondsteve]

I'm disappointed in the manner of the defeat, but not disappointed generally. To be so close is of course gutting but in the long run I don't think this will do us any harm at all as others have said. I genuinely thought we were the better side today although we weren't really 'at it'.

Totally agree, chatting to a friendly Ives fan before the match and we discussed whether either club was ready for the step up and he expressed the personal view that his club weren't. They will enjoy continued revenue for the coming season from the Cambridge City 'ground share agreement' although that will end when City complete the build of their new facility at Sawston. How will Marhenike recruit improved players when he was already bemoaning his Step 4 budget? I will follow their progress with interest alongside Kings Langley although I predict both clubs will struggle in the SLP.

yeah me too. I am still amazed that Kings Langley wanted to go up. Seems like no one wanted to listen to the chairman! He has stepped down a week after they were crowned Champions, he says the club needs to find someone to take the club forward now they are in a higher league (imo someone with ££££££).

The same old story with managers hands tied trying to strengthen but not allowed. How long will Richie last.They must have some kind of revenue coming in because they won't get much from the turnstiles. Lets see what happens during pre season . Wishful thinking I know

[Trek]

I am still amazed that Kings Langley wanted to go up. Seems like no one wanted to listen to the chairman! He has stepped down a week after they were crowned Champions, he says the club needs to find someone to take the club forward now they are in a higher league (imo someone with ££££££).

I spoke to their Chairman prior to our home match with KL. A decent hard working guy (despite wearing a Woolwich track suit top ) clearly he wasn't a 'money man' but he was pleased that ground grading inspection issues weren't too costly to rectify - mentioned locks on the toilet doors! I think they're fairly well supported by local businesses as their clubhouse is insufficient to bring in much revenue and average home gates of just over 80 don't produce much income.

[UttoDiamond]

I'll be amazed if they survive at Step 3 Level if they don't find a money man, with all the travelling involved and a lack of a fan base. It's a village club in all aspects. They've produced miracles, but will they find the players to travel to Weymouth on a Tuesday night?

[Trek]

Fair play to Hanlon and Hughes for putting together a squad to win the league but KL certainly have benefited from a number of dual registration agreements with Hemel Hempstead, leading scorer Weiss being the obvious one. All the speculation that one of the top 5 didn't want promotion makes you wonder if it's not the Champions?