Southern League 2015/16

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Highlights from yesterdays game between Leamington and Biggleswade Town
 

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I've been busy so now it's catch-up time!

Good to see you posting highlights Nick, care to say a few words about the games?

Since my last update we've lost 2 and won 1. It's a coincidence that I didn't post after the losses, partially because I just listened to them on radio diamonds, so didn't have much insight. The losses were away at Chalfont St Peter and at home to Egham. Both were very tough games, especially to play back-to-back. Apparently we were not out-classed in either game, which is very encouraging as both sides are right up there, but it's the scoreline that matters! Currently together we make the top 3 with these teams, so wins against either one would have been huge for us, and the losses are huge for them. That said games in hand still play a big part as we can go top with our games in hand as can Egham with their 3 to play (n.b. with maximum points for all we would be above Egham).

We had boxing day football at Bedford Town, which was honestly a poor display, but we managed to turn around an abject first half in to an OK second half against a Bedford side that were honestly poor. They didn't show much attacking prowess and didn't defend terribly well either, though we were having trouble placing passes making it easier for them. Overall we deserved the 2-1 win, and it was nice to see Tommy Berwick get a good goal to win it as he always works hard but doesn't get as many goals as he has done in the past at higher levels despite still being in his 20's.

In player news the biggest announcement is the loss of Sam Brown who will go traveling for the foreseeable future and we hope to see him back ASAP from a fans perspective. Hopefully he enjoys himself, finds it worthwhile, but doesn't get bitten too hard by the travel bug. We'll certainly miss his long throws, and he's a player who always shone as having the right attitude despite being quite young. 157 appearances so far. If he does come back he has the ability to the record number of appearances for the new club very high indeed.

Edi Appleton has also left again not long after joining, this time because Corby came calling in the Conference North (or whatever you call it now), so you can't begrudge a player moving up two levels, even if he had only been with us a short time. At least he hadn't made himself an irreplaceable part of the team! Corby have in return loaned us a youngster in Connor Kennedy who can play at either full back position. Hopefully he will be a suitable replacement for what we are losing!

Also coming in has been Luke Hipwell, a central defender/left back who has played against us a number of times in the UCL. I don't particularly remember him, but I do recognise the name so hopefully he'll be a good addition. Also useful is Darren Purse has signed forms for us, making himself available to play for AFCR&D again. He played a couple of times last season, and has apparently left Staines in the Ryman Premier so he will add some extra depth and experience to the back line if and when he plays.

After all change in defense, let's hope for some recoveries from injuries and returns to form for the players up front so that we don't have to go changing more of the squad over. That said if a goalscorer becomes available you always have to be interested.
 

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Unsurprisingly most games called off in all the southern league divisions. We were postponed at half time (and 0-0).

We're due to play St Ives on Tuesday, but that's looking unlikely to go ahead, if it does the pitch will likely be in a state after playing 45 mins today in bad conditions.
 

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threre wont be as many going to Taunton for the rearranged game shame really as a good crowd would suit the game as a local derby
 

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Been a bit difficult to get on here recently, so quick updates:

Northwood 2 - 2 AFCR&D - An odd game that changed a lot. We were comfortable and on top, went 1-0 up and looked like getting more before a (correct) red card half way through the first half. They then scored with pretty much their only chance of the half while we still looked the better side with 10 men. In the 2nd half the man advantage helped level the game out, and they took the lead 2-1 before we got one back from a free kick. Both teams had chances to win it, they had a man sent off at the death and made it look like it was going to end in a mass brawl, but the referee took control and the game finished 2-2. A fair result and a good point given the red card.

2 new signings, both strikers - Jon Stevenson and Nabil Shariff. Stevenson played against us for Oadby in the past and was clearly too good for that level, hopefully he can provide some of that quality at the higher level. Nabs is a fantastic signing for the club, some on here might remember him playing in the last R&DFC games, former R&DFC youth, and one of the starting XI from the final game. He's floated around step 2-4 since then. Hopefully we can be the club to put his career back on track. Nabs will be out for a bit with a chest infection however.

Today we play bottom club North Greenford, who have apparently improved a lot recently, so this is a bit of a test. Also current leaders Chalfont St Peter have had their game postponed meaning we can go top of the table with a win.
 

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Well that's the way to do it!

AFCR&D 8 - 1 North Greenford. We gave them a soft goal on 90 mins, though we did go up the other end and cancel it out again immediately. They went down to 10 men early in the second half, with the scoreline already 3-0 it was pretty dominant. 3 for Andy Hall, debut goal for Jon Stevenson, one for Shawn Richards - who is in good form, Liam Dolman and substitute Lewis Leslie capping it off.

Huge tough game next weekend at Aylesbury who have a very strong home record with just one loss so far. Egham can knock us off top spot in the week if they win their game in hand, though it is against 4th placed Royston.

The division is shaping up to be quite tight!
 

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Highlights from Saturday as we got 8 goals and can count ourselves unlucky not to get well in to the double figures.


Some absolutely appalling misses in there on a surface that is really struggling. Frankly it was impressive we managed to get the game on with the way the pitch has been over the last few weeks. A couple of weeks away from home for us should help, though I'm sure Wellingborough Town will have some home games to tear up the surface in that time!

In other news we've got an official response to the new planning application at Nene Park (after being asked for input by ENC). You can see the full thing here: http://www.afcdiamondsforum.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7435
tl;dr version - AFCR&D are officially opposing the planning permission application on the basis that the loss of facilities and provisions to replace them are not suitable when there is a requirement for more facilities in East Northamptonshire (as noted by the 21 teams we currently have who play outside East Northamptonshire in various locations, who have a desire to play within the area).

In the league, as mentioned above, Egham can knock us off top spot with a win at Royston tonight should the game go ahead.
 

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Very important win for us at Aylesbury FC, with a 4-2 final score.

The first goal was quite bizarre, with the ball going through a hole in the net it took some consultation between the lino and ref before it was given. Jon Stevenson doubled the lead with a shot from outside the box. Aylsebury came back in to it with a goal from a corner to change the half time team talk. Shawn Richards extended the lead in the second half, though another Aylsebury goal a few minutes from time caused some squeaky bum time, though it was eased when substitute Claudiu Hoban made up for his mistake in giving the ball away for their goal with the tap in at the other end. It was also nice to see Elliot Lamb-Johnson come on for his return from injury, with Jack Ashton also close to getting back in the side now too (regularly on the bench). They did get a wholly unnecessary red card right at the death, but it didn't change anything.

In squad news the return of ELJ means we're pretty stacked at the wing positions with 4 players who would start for most teams in our division, though we're lacking a little up front with Nabil Shariff still 3 weeks away from playing after signing, Tom Liversedge still out injured and Tommy Berwick leaving the club (and possibly football) for personal reasons, though he may be back in the future at some point. That said Shawn Richards looks like he could push up top if needed, reversing our pattern from the start of the season of playing strikers out wide! I think Courtney Herbert is still at the club technically, but I'm not sure. He's been a let down from expectations.

Top of the table in the D1 Central:

1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 25 +30 53*
2 Chalfont St Peter 26 +18 52
3 St Ives Town 26 +23 50
4 Egham Town 24 + 28 47
5 Kings Langley 25 + 20 47*
6 Royston Town 25 +26 46
7 Northwood 25 +10 43
8 Aylesbury 23 +12 40
9 Beaconsfield SYCOB 26 +12 38
10 Ware 24 0 36

*(1-1 draw abandoned after 90 mins - result stands but not added to the table until appeal period expires)

St Ives visit Barton Rovers and Egham go to Hanwell on Tuesday. They both dropped points on Saturday and more of the same would be very welcome, though far from expected. Aylesbury going to North Greenford is the final midweek fixture.
 

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10 days after Harry Rednapp joins their board. Coincidences are funny
 

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Apparently it was uncovered by "due diligence", which if they had conducted they wouldn't be announcing 10 days after taking over... Losing ~8K a month apparently. Must have been in that situation for a long time to rack up £110k!

Claiming they didn't know when taking over allows them to not take responsibility for those debts personally (due to the legal requirement to only run a business as a going concern or fold/bring in administrators if it clearly isn't).

Wonder how many clubs at this level are really in similar situations but not talking about it. Losing an "acceptable" amount each year be it to "friendly loans" or just amounts owners are willing to cover one way or another.

In unrelated DIv 1 Central news - Barton Rovers vs St Ives the only game due to go ahead tonight thanks to weather postponing the other two.
 

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A further pleasant surprise for Diamonds was St Ives dropping points at Barton Rovers, improving our small cushion on them. It would obviously be stupid to even think of counting them out of the title race, but they are starting to drop off.

Currently it's about a 4 horse race, with some potential outsiders if they put a good run together. We are in pole position now, with Chalfont second in the table and second favourites I'd guess. Egham who sit 4th in the table with games in hand are going to be 3rd favourites, with St Ives sat in 3rd but having played the most games dropping to the back of the pack. Kings Langley and Royston are probably the main outsiders, but Aylesbury FC could join them if they win their 2 games in hand on the pair.
 

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Diamonds are playing at Beaconsfield and looking to stay top of the table tomorrow. The lead has now extended to 2 points though the game in hand has disappeared as the Kings Langley game has finally been concluded and put down as a draw (abandoned at 1-1 in the 94th min). Also hoping to extend the lead as the division's top goalscorers is also a nice position to be in. Goals win games

SLD1C Fixtures for the weekend (league positions in brackets to help give some context)
Arlesey Town (17th) vs Uxbridge (15th)
Aylsebury United (21st) vs Fleet Town (18th)
Beaconsfield SYCOB (9th) vs AFC Rushden & Diamonds (1st)
Chalfont St Peter (2nd) vs Northwood (7th)
Egham Town (5th) vs Bedford Town (13th)
Godalming Town (11th) vs Aylsebury FC (8th)
North Greendford United (22nd) vs Barton Rovers (16th)
Petersfield Town (14th) vs Hanwell Town (19th)
Royston Town (6th) vs Leighton Town (20th)
St Ives Town (3rd) vs Potters Bar Town (12th)
Ware (10th) vs Kings Langley (4th)

Top 5 teams in bold - those I would class as being in the title race at this point. Toughest games are for us and Chalfont, while I'd largely expect the other 3 challengers to pick up some routine wins. Royston in 6th need a run of results to get back in the mix and should have an easy win to do so. If you weren't already counting Northwood out, well anything but a win sees them pretty much out of a title bid, but they remain playoff contenders needing to pick up points - they are currently 11pts away with a game in hand, which is a lot to pick up in the remaining 16 matches (17 for them).
 

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Well we got absolutely spanked and I certainly didn't see that coming! I wasn't there so I don't have too much to say on the game, but our official twitter has some enlightening tweets including:

"Full time, 4-0 Beaconsfield. Well done to the hosts who thoroughly deserved that. Totally unacceptable performance from us."

League table tonight - at least things are simplified with the current top 4 all having played the same number of games!



Last time we got spanked by 4 goals in January away from home we decided not to lose another game for the rest of the season and get promoted. I'll be very happy if we go on do the same again.
 

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Tivvy v Winchester P-P this is getting boring now
 

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When was the last time you lot actually played a game?

Still p-p is better than getting spanked 4-0!
 

Tivvyultras

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16th of January away @ swindon s/m agreed it is better than a 4-0 spanking but if we keep getting postponments we wil be playing Tues Thurs and Sat and then we would get spanked
 
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Jemfy

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Looking at the S&W league table you're actually not too bad off, you've played 26 there are a few teams who haven't got that many under their belts. It's only one less than us in a division the same size! Not too much to get worried about right now, but need to start getting games on soon. Guessing you didn't lose too many fixtures to cup ties during the early part of the season?

We're in a bad location for the ground in terms of proximity to a river, clay soil, and the fact that we're ground sharing so two teams need to complete their season on the pitch! It normally becomes a bit of a dustbowl due to loss of grass and accumulation of sand towards the end of the season.

That has prompted me to look at our league table and notice we've played 3 more away games than home ones, wheras most of the teams around us only have it going 1 in either direction with the exception of Chalfont who have played 3 more home games than away. It's a small reason for optimism!
 

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we only lost 2 games due to the Trophy. got em back quite quickly
 

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Highlights from Leamington's 2-0 win over Frome Town in the Southern Premier Division. Leamington have been struggling in the league as of late, so this win was long overdue. Not the best game of football, Leamington made Frome look quite comfortable in the first half, but a moment of quality by Leamington's left back Connor Gudger finally broke down the Frome defence. Game was all over 10 minutes towards the end as Ben Mackey fired home to confirm the three points for the Brakes.
 

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Highlights from Leamington's 2-0 win over Frome Town in the Southern Premier Division. Leamington have been struggling in the league as of late, so this win was long overdue. Not the best game of football, Leamington made Frome look quite comfortable in the first half, but a moment of quality by Leamington's left back Connor Gudger finally broke down the Frome defence. Game was all over 10 minutes towards the end as Ben Mackey fired home to confirm the three points for the Brakes.

I've just worked out (I know it's not rocket science as your name is the same) that your the guy who posts Leamington highlights on the FM Society on Facebook :2thumb:
 

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