The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Official Match Preview

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... 8th-august

Here we go then..... first game of the season proper.

Really looking forward to this, expect a 3.1 win in front of 403 fans. First day crowds in August are notoriously low as so many on holiday.

Cannot wait for us to start in this league, new clubs, better opposition, new grounds to visit and probably most excitingly, the playoffs, meaning little chance of another Spalding situation where we've got little to play for with 3 months left. Bedworth lost 13 games last season and still were able to make the playoffs and be promoted. Whereas in the UCL, it at times felt like we couldn't afford to lose a single game (until Holbeach collapsed of course).

I'll predict a 2-1 win in front of 520 fans, though difficult to know what our fellow promoted sides are going to be like.

Me nither, I can't wait until the Southern league starts, , new grounds to visit, play offs in this league,under a week to go.

2-0 Diamonds, 540.

2 - 1 to the mighty Diamonds in front of 355 supporters.
here's my starting eleven if all fit & signed up

.............................Finners

Wilkinson.......Dolman......Ashton........Brown

Spriggs.........Bunting.......Quigley.........Kilbride

.....................Lorraine......Herbert

subs;- Gordon, Berwick, ELJ, Harris, GK (forget his name)

COME ON YOU D'S

Bunting is suspended!

Three of Diamonds wrote:2 - 1 to the mighty Diamonds in front of 355 supporters.
here's my starting eleven if all fit & signed up

.............................Finners

Wilkinson.......Dolman......Ashton........Brown

Spriggs.........Bunting.......Quigley.........Kilbride

.....................Lorraine......Herbert

subs;- Gordon, Berwick, ELJ, Harris, GK (forget his name)

COME ON YOU D'S

Harris in for Bunting and Berwick for Kilbride for me. Joseph has to make the bench and Peaksy may opt to have Merrill in there as he can play in centre midfield.

Some conservative estimates for the attendance here I feel. I don't see why we shouldn't get 6-700 for our first game in the Southern League, particularly after all the excitement and enthusiasm at the back end of last season. I don't think the low friendly attendances are any indicator.

I'd go with the following:

........................Finlay..........................

Merrill........Dolman........Gordon........Ashton

Spriggs........Harris..........Quigley..........ELJ

...........Lorraine...........Berwick...............

Subs: Brown, Wilkinson, Kilbride, Herbert, Joseph


I share others early concerns about Quigley but with Bunting suspended central midfield picks itself really.

What about a completely different formation?

Finlay

Ashton Dolman Gordon

Brown Harris Herbert Merrill

Spriggs Lorraine Joseph

BartonRaz. I think the low crowd expectation is being realistic. Historically August is a bad month for crowds as so many are on hols, maybe something to do with the old shoe industry closing down for first couple of weeks each August. I expect us to draw 400 plus on Saturday but gradually rise as we get into September and as we head the league table!!