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A 1-0 win was NOT the triumphant fanfare of an opening that many were expecting. However, a first opening day win in 7 years should not be overlooked. It was the type of game that, in recent years, could easily have ended with 1 point, or perhaps none at all. The boys avoided the banana skin of losing to a promoted team, as Oxford did, and got three points on the board. Onwards and upwards…
Below, are a selection of reactions to the game, both RDFC fans, and EBFC fans…
Eastbourne fans think that….
“If todays game was the best the Conference Premier can offer what are we worried about? For most of the game we outplayed them apart from the sucker-punch penalty.
I think on this game the Diamonds must be more worried than us, especially as they are one of the favourites for promotion.”
“Rushden didn’t look like title challengers this afternoon. Still early days of course but on that performance Rushden can forget the play offs as well.”
“Burgess looked a tidy player, as did his partner in the middle. (Woodhouse)”
“Rushden were no better than us and the only thing that seperated the 2 teams was a dive…”
Rushden fans think that…
“Its disappointing to hear we didnt play terribly well. Although given the conditions, the fact it was their first game in this league, and that that was probably their biggest attendance in their history, ill take a 1-0 win no matter how it comes.”
“What seemed like an average performance was actually a battling performance against a newly promoted team keen to make an impression in hard conditions. Hope was very solid at the back and won every header but proabably should have scored. Wasn’t too impressed with Burton to be honest. Mariott was awesome and made 2 excellent saves that probably should have been goals. Tomlin, Osano, Jelleyman and Woodhouse all had good games. Phillips didn’t stop running but McDonald didn’t really get into it. Disappointed with Burgess personally however someone behind me thought he was MOTM, each to their own!”
“What happened to Oxford last night shows that these games are not easy”
Around the leagues:
Like us, York earned a 1-0 away win. Mansfield left it late to make it 2-2 at Ebbsfleet, avoiding opening day blushes. A late goal also evened the score at the Histon-Torquay game, whilst Kettering wasted an early lead to let FGR earn a point. Like Eastbourne and Barrow, Lewes did not roll over and die in their first game at this level, holding Kiddy to a draw. Burton and Alty both earned away wins, against Salisbury and Woking, respectively, whilst Weymouth put 3 past Grays. Much-tipped Stevenage collapsed in Wales, conceding five to Wrexham.
In the BSN, two of last years Premier teams collided (!) with Stafford earning all three pints against Farsley. Droylsden began their campaign with a 1-1 draw. In the BSS, Team Bath, Welling and AFC Wimbledon are the early pace-setters, scoring 14 goals between them.
RDFC Fans... 