WhiteBallProject » Sat 27Aug 22

Matchman · 24/8/2022 9:37 AM

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The Rushden match seems to have been overshadowed by the upcoming FA Cup tie at Matlock. But success in the league has to be our main aim.
Both ourselves and Rushden are without a win so both of us will be desperate to pick up the 3 points.
Surely Rushden are currently in a false position as they finished just outside the playoffs last season.
Their average home attendance last season was 424.

In their 4 matches so far they have drawn with Needham Market and lost to Basford, Hitchin and Alvechurch.

Last edited by Matchman (24/8/2022 9:43 AM)

Matchman · 24/8/2022 7:14 PM

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Rushden away is the first of three big matches coming up. The next match is always the most important because the result of that game influences the confidence level for the game after that.
Because we haven't won yet we have not been going into matches with confidence. A win at Rushden would be a terrific boost for the team going into the Bank Holiday game with Mickleover.

Matchman · 24/8/2022 8:19 PM

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Match Preview: AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs Ilkeston Town
10 mins ago

Diamonds welcome league newcomers Ilkeston Town to Hayden Road on Saturday (27 August, 3:00 pm kick-off).

Admission prices are as follows:
Adults: £11
Concessions: £8
Students: £8
U21s: £6
U16s: £2

Tickets can be purchased in advance here. You can also pay by cash or contactless payment at the turnstile

Our visitors

They play at the New Manor Ground and finished 1st in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands last season to earn promotion to Step 3. They scored a league-high of 97 goals in the process and boasted two of the division’s top-five goalscorers (Zak Goodson with 21 and Remaye Campbell with 20).The Robins are managed by Martin Carruthers and currently sit 17th in the table after an opening day draw at Tamworth (1-1), a 2-2 draw at home to Leiston, a 2-1 defeat at Barwell and then another draw, this time 1-1, at home to Redditch where they finished the game with ten players following a red card.

To find out more about the club, visit their website here.

Season so far

Diamonds currently sit bottom of the league after drawing their opening game 0-0 at home to Needham Market, losing 2-1 at league newcomers Basford, experiencing a 1-2 reverse at home to Hitchin and then being defeated 2-0 at Alvechurch last time out.

Can’t make the game?
Our Radio Diamonds team will be providing live commentary as the action unfolds – tune in at mixlr.com/radiodiamondsafc. Listeners will be able to message with their comments and thoughts on 07394 309591.We will also doing live updates on our Twitter account at twitter.com/AFCRD. Interviews will be available after the game at youtube.com/AFCRDTV.

Match preview: Ollie Mortimer
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Last edited by Matchman (25/8/2022 12:07 PM)

plymrob · 24/8/2022 10:15 PM

SO...Where did all the R&D supporters go when they fell out of the League and then folded...? No loyalty.. or just glory seekers...?. Once upon a time, Rushden Town and also Irthlingborough Diamonds, of course. From old...Good days...I think IIlson played the old R&D at the the now demolished best ever non-league stadium..

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Matchman · 25/8/2022 9:17 AM

plymrob wrote:
SO...Where did all the R&D supporters go when they fell out of the League and then folded...? No loyalty.. or just glory seekers...?. Once upon a time, Rushden Town and also Irthlingborough Diamonds, of course. From old...Good days...I think IIlson played the old R&D at the the now demolished best ever non-league stadium..

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That's a really good question Plymrob. Where did all those thousands of supporters go?

This is from Wikipedia :

The original Rushden & Diamonds[/url] was formed on 21 April 1992, following the merger of [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irthlingborough_Diamonds_F.C.]Irthlingborough Diamonds[/url] and [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rushden_Town_F.C.]Rushden Town[/url]. The club's early years were marked by success. Within four seasons the club had reached the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_National]Conference National[/url], and within nine the club were members of the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_League]Football League[/url]. However, following their promotion to [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_League_Division_Two]Division Two the Diamonds' fortunes took a turn for the worse. The club were relegated twice in three years, and suffered instability off the field. Seven different managers took charge of the team between March 2004 and May 2011, while the club itself was controlled by four different parties during the same period. Following a period of sustained financial difficulties during the 2010–11 season, the club were expelled from the Conference at the end of the campaign, and entered administration that July.

At an open meeting chaired by a supporters group called SaveRDFC, a mandate was agreed upon to create a phoenix club[/url], fully owned and controlled by its supporters. A team was created and accepted into the Northants Senior Youth League for the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_in_English_football]2011–12 season[/url], while a senior team played in the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Counties_Football_League]United Counties Football League Division One[/url] for the 2012–13 season. They are currently members of the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Football_League]Southern League Premier Division Central.

Rushden's record attendance was at home to Leeds United in the FA Cup. 6,431 witnessed a 0–0 draw as Rushden held their illustrious Premier League opponents to secure a replay in Yorkshire. Around 3,000 Diamonds fans made the trip up the M1 in a crowd of over 39,000 at Elland Road[/url]. [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Heggs]Carl Heggs put Rushden into an 11th-minute lead. However, class told in the end and United eventually ran out 3–1 winners to halt Diamonds' superb Cup run.

Last edited by Matchman (25/8/2022 9:39 AM)

Matchman · 25/8/2022 9:28 PM

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These are the Premier Central fixtures for this Saturday 27th August

AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Ilkeston
Barwell v Alvechurch
Basford v Leiston
Bromsgrove v Hitchin
Hednesford v Bedford
Kings Langley v Stratford
Mickleover v St Ives
Needham Market v Rushall
Redditch v Nuneaton
Royston v Stourbridge
Tamworth v Coalville

Undoubtedly the Match of the Day is 4th placed Tamworth against league leaders Coalville. Should be a lively atmosphere. Both teams are unbeaten and both have scored 13 goals in 4 matches.

The only other teams unbeaten are Leiston and Hitchin and both have away fixtures this weekend

Five teams will be hoping for a first win ie Ilkeston, Hednesford, Mickleover, Stourbridge and Rushden & Diamonds

Southern League Premier Central League Table

P PTS GD
Coalville Town 4 10 8
Nuneaton Borough 4 9 7
St Ives Town 4 9 6
Tamworth 4 8 9
Leiston 4 8 3
Hitchin Town 4 8 2
Needham Market 4 7 3
Kings Langley 4 7 1
Alvechurch 4 6 0
Bromsgrove Sporting 4 6 0
Royston Town 4 5 0
Redditch United 4 5 0
Stratford Town 4 5 -4
Rushall Olympic 4 4 -3
Basford United 4 4 -5
Bedford Town 4 4 -8
Ilkeston Town 4 3 -1
Barwell 4 3 -3
Hednesford Town 4 2 -2
Mickleover 4 2 -4
Stourbridge 4 2 -5
Rushden & Diamonds 4 1 -4

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2022 6:52 AM)

Matchman · 26/8/2022 8:42 AM

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Radio Diamonds commentators Joseph McCormack and Ollie Mortimer discuss their Bank Holiday fixtures including Ilkeston Town

https://twitter.com/j0sephmcc0rmack/status/1562347393844187136

Last edited by Matchman (26/8/2022 8:50 AM)

Matchman · 26/8/2022 11:46 AM

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We have a full bus for Rushden and Diamonds on August 27th
For those who are booked on; here is a reminder of the pick-up times

Rushden and Diamonds (A) Saturday 27th August
Ground 11:00
Market 11:05
Kirk Hallam 11:10
Expected Time of Arrival : 12:45
£16 / £8

For those travelling independently; the postcode for the ground is NN10 0HX

Enjoy the day.

Matchman · 26/8/2022 12:58 PM

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I said that the league table wouldn't show the stronger teams until after the end of August ie after 6 matches. We've played four so far, so there's two to play and I think we need pick up at least 4 points to be mid table.
Coalville who just missed out last season have got off to a flyer and have seven points more than us already. Although it's extremely early days, the way they have started makes them look firm favourites to finish in the automatic promotion spot.
For Ilkeston to be in with a chance of promotion we need to finish in the top five. Although we haven't made the start we wanted we should be capable of doing that. Tamworth look likely playoff contenders so there's three other playoff places to play for. There's plenty of time for current league positions to change and there will be not only Ilkeston who hope to climb the table and ultimately make a playoff challenge.
So yes, it's still very early but we really need to get a win under our belts and ideally this Saturday against Rushden.

We've been unfortunate with injuries that have prevented Martin Carruthers from playing a settled side and O'Hanlon's red card last Saturday has made matters worse. Who will replace him, Brown-Hill or Bennett or Hilton?
Will Erett-Thompson come into the team? Are Turner and Bradley recovered from injuries. There are so many possibilities, it's impossible to know what the team will be.

Wins against Rushden on Saturday and Mickleover on Monday would change the mood completely and take us into the top half of the table.

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Last edited by Matchman (26/8/2022 4:45 PM)

kevilsonlad · 26/8/2022 3:16 PM

i am going tomorrow so really looking forward to the day and the game . Although i am not panicking i do think we need a win and nothing less . Yes its still early days but how long do we keep saying that. IF god forbid we dont get any points this weekend are we allowed to get a tad worried ? But on the other side of the coin if we get to wins , that throws right back up there ......No less than six points for me guys for this weekend please guys ....

WhiteBallProject · 26/8/2022 7:24 PM

Matchman · 26/8/2022 10:57 PM

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My predicted scores :
Sat 27th August

AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1 Ilkeston 2 (scorers: Gibson and Ward)
Barwell 1 Alvechurch 3
Basford 0 Leiston 2
Bromsgrove 1 Hitchin 0
Hednesford 3 Bedford 0
Kings Langley 1 Stratford 1
Mickleover 2 St Ives 1
Needham Market 2 Rushall 2
Redditch 2 Nuneaton 1
Royston 2 Stourbridge 1
Tamworth 1 Coalville 1

Alex · 27/8/2022 7:56 AM

If alex troke plays today will it be his 50 game for ilson?

Matchman · 27/8/2022 10:48 AM

Updates as usual Here on WhiteBall. Teams announced around 2 30.
Brace yourself for several changes.

Matchman · 27/8/2022 1:20 PM

AFC Rushden & Diamonds
13 Dean Snedker, 2 Patrick Casey, 5 Ryan Hughes, 7 Connor Furlong, 8 Jesse Akubuine, 10 Jack Connor, 11 Nathan Hicks, 12 Anthony Agemoh-Davies, 14 Conor Tee, 15 Evangelos Empochontaif, 19 Morgan Worsfold-Gregg.
Bench : 3 Courtney Lashley, 9 Jenson Cooper, 16 Fraser Cordon, 20 Miguel Ngwa, 18 Tyrese Sutherland.

Ilkeston Town
1 Saul Deeney, 2 Kalern Thomas, 3 Billy Bennett, 4 Declan Eratt-Thompson, 5 Marshall Willock, 6 Kieran Fenton (C), 7 Jamie Ward, 8 Jack Thomas, 9 Remaye Campbell, 10 Montel Gibson, 11 Ollie Brown-Hill.
Bench : 12 Ben Turner, 13 Tomasz Bukowski,14 Chris O'Grady, 15 Jared Bird, 16 Charlie Wakefield.

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2022 1:29 PM)

Matchman · 27/8/2022 1:32 PM

Half an hour to kickoff . It's bright sunshine and a warm afternoon again. Rushden's ground is very compact but the grass pitch looks nice and flat. I've got a decent view apart from one corner.

Ten minutes to kickoff now and we have some cloud cover but its mainly sunny.

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2022 1:49 PM)

Alex · 27/8/2022 1:39 PM

Have we pick up some more injuries.

No troke or the big lad at the back

Matchman · 27/8/2022 1:58 PM

The teams are out. Rushden are wearing white shirts and royal blue shorts. Ilkeston are wearing navy shirts and black shorts.

We're off .... Ilkeston to kick off and playing up the slight slope

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2022 2:01 PM)

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:06 PM

Ilkeston so close to an opening goal following Bennett's long throw into the area. Remaye is barged over but ref waves play on. Ilkeston shot is well saved by Snedker. Ilkeston on top in the early stages. 0-0 5 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:09 PM

Fenton free kick from 30 yards hits the outside of the post with Snedker beaten. Nothing from Diamonds attack so far Brown-Hill shot blocked by a defender. 0-0 9 min

Last edited by Matchman (27/8/2022 2:10 PM)

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:17 PM

Bennett takes another long throw into the box but Diamonds clear their lines. Free kick to Ilkeston. Good counter attack by Diamonds but shot just clears the bar. 0-0 16 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:23 PM

Rushden coming into the game now. Another diamonds attack sees a right wing cross too high for Conor Tee. Ward brings a fine save from Snedker at the expense of a corner. Ward fires over. 0-0 23 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:34 PM

Gibson breaks free of defender but he's penalised. The game is really fast paced. Really impressed with Eratt- Thompson. He's every where. 0-0 33 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:43 PM

Good attack by Furlong for Rushden but his cross beats everyone. Bennett's long throws are causing big problems for Diamonds. Fenton fires over when he picks up a loose ball. Goal for Rushden on the break followed by huge celebrations 0-1 42 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 2:48 PM

Ollie is badly fouled . Diamonds no.12 is booked.

Half time 0-1

Alex · 27/8/2022 2:51 PM

Any news on why zac isnt playing

Matchman · 27/8/2022 3:02 PM

We're off again.....

Matchman · 27/8/2022 3:08 PM

Campbell cuts inside and shoots but the keeper is behind it. Mad scramble in Rushden goalmouth but they survive. Quick break by Diamonds puts Ilkeston in trouble. Great cross by Ward but keeper collects under his bar. 0-1 52 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 3:12 PM

Diamonds shot crashes against the bar. Very lucky escape for us. Both teams going for goal now. 0-1 55 mins

Matchman · 27/8/2022 3:18 PM

Bennett is taking every attacking throw in. Now it's a corner but Rushden clear. Ilkeston are pushing for a leveller
GOAL Montel Gibson heads in from Wards free kick 1-1 61 mins