Burton Albion v Forest Green Rovers

Come on - of course I didn't go - although it's probably one of the few good things that have come out of the multi-national monolith that is Sky TV (i.e. when they're desperate - bung a non-league game on). Tonight I managed the second half - and as I walked into the "Railway" at Greenfield I was just in time for Danny Holmes' goal. I noticed one of the advertising hoardings around the ground ("Roger Bullivant") and remarked that there were a couple of vans parked outside the pub with that very same name - to find that there were three guys from Burton in the pub (they're "doing a job" in Greenfield). Not only that, one of them went to school with Steve Burr (now Manager at Northwich Vics - but I remember him leading the line at Stafford Rangers back in the early 1980s). There wasn't that much difference between the two teams tonight, although the "Brewers" looked that touch more comfy at the back - FGR did miss an absolute sitter in the second half mind - but to counter that, Burton did hit the bar from a quick free-kick (think the keeper got a touch) !

Short and sweet tonight - tomorrow looks like Rammy v the Nash - or in real language Ramsbottom United v Curzon Ashton - because, having thought about going to see Curzon v Truro in the FA Vase semi on 24th, I've been coerced to escort the "Mossley faithful" on a boozy train trip to Guiseley on that day - God I'm a softie at heart - but these guys would never make it there - let alone back - without some assistance (they''re all bloody car users - what d'you expect !).

So tomorrow should be a good chance to see the only team in Tameside who are really "on a roll" (sorry Droylsden - you ARE a close second though !) - this does assume that Mrs Smiffy gets back from the gym )yes that one next to Stalybridge Celtic;s ground) before 1900 - because Rammy is an easy drive up the M60 - ask Topsy (Mossley fan) how long it took to drive back from there in our North West Counties days - and that in his crappy old Rover (with a wet back seat !) - he reckoned about 17 minutes - I reckoned that was only to Ashton - although we certainly got back in plenty of time for drinkies in Mossley - I will attempt same tomorrow.

P.S we didn't make the walk on Sunday - the traffic in Matlock was crazy on the way down to Belper - and we had to nip to Derby to see daughter as well - hey ho maybe next Sunday - it is Mothers Day - and Mrs Smiffy has already said "big walk no cooking".