Road to Wembley - Two late goals send tie to replay

Despite dominating for a large majority of this cup tie and creating numerous chances Mangotsfield United face a replay on tonight after conceding two late goals.

Gillingham Town playing at home took a shock lead against the run of play midway through the half before NEIL ARNDALE levelled with a spot kick minutes later. With six minutes of the first half remaining Mangotsfield were gifted a goal when James Manley headed into his own net for an OG. The match looked to have been put beyond the home side when MITCHELL PAGE headed home from close range nine minutes after the restart, however two goals in the final ten minutes earned Gillingham Town an unlikely replay with both teams entering yesterday's third qualifying round draw.

Mangotsfield: Court, Arndale, Smith, Pilling, Trought, Scott, Tooze, Bater (Knapman), Page, Knighton (O'Connor), Spill.
Subs not used: Prosser, Bennett, Wood
Attendance: 505

The winners of the replay have been drawn away against Zamaretto League Premier Division Truro City. The tie will be played on Saturday 10th October.

Best weekly score update

Time for our first Best Weekly Score table. There will be a end of season prize for the manager that scores the best ever weekly score. The all-time record is held by John Littig with 132 points in 2006.

Current top 10 best weekly score:
1. Hilary Flynn. Week 2. 84 points
2. Ryan Saveall. Week 2. 79 points
3. Feldbruegge/Malloy. Week 2. 78 points
4. Henry Williams. Week 2. 77 points
4. Mark Wenman. Week 2. 77 points
6. Ian Monohan. Week 2. 75 points
6. Keith Read. Week 2. 75 points
8. John McGowan. Week 2. 74 points
9. Ian France. Week 2. 73 points
10. Jason Syrett. Week 2. 70 points

Worst weekly score update

There is actually a prize for the Worst Weekly Score (swept up last season by Michael Stout). Simply the season's worse weekly score will win and believe it or not three times we have had a -5 and they were Nigel Tatlock in 2006 and both Mark Simmons and Jonathan Poole (anyone know where he is now) in 2001. So that is the benchmark.

Current top 10 worst weekly score:
1. Paul Long. Week 5. 4 points
2. Soozie Syrett. Week 1. 9 points
3. Dan Martin. Week 5. 10 points
4. James Down. Week 1. 11 points
4. James Down. Week 5. 11 points
6. Stuart Kilpatrick. Week 1. 12 points
6. Chris Waterman. Week 5. 12 points
8. Jason Syrett. Week 6. 13 points
8. Paul Long. Week 1. 13 points
10. Leigh Langton. Week 5. 14 points

Houdini escapes into top 10

Breaking news8888888Week 6 Table
Frank & Beans stay top for the 4th consecutive week, Tim and Dennis are 6 points ahead of Tanus Terriers in 2nd. In 3rd now are Loads of Roubles, a point ahead of Aston Globetrotters with Pure Irish in 5th.

Keep the faith are stunning the fantasy football world by not being in a relegation battle. Ian is 6th. W Wallace Boys lie in 7th after a faulty week and in 8th is Paris Eagles up from 14th. Savlyuchenko Spurs drop to 9th and new into 10th is Tim Harris' Harry Houdini who have started to put together a consistent run.

Hannoi Utd, Blue flag up your arse, Little Red Devil, Wenmania, St George's Rovers, Gooner Win League, Real Sociable Lad, Egg chasing is best and Adelaide Taffs all sit less than 10 points outside the top 10.

At the bottom remain Brighton Blues but week 6 was much better for the Long's. Factastic Fancies move away from immediate danger and are replaced by Goonersmoan in 58th and Turtles Breath slip 3 places to 57th. And Soozie-Sooz Sizzlers remain in the sausage mix in 55th.

Return of the Mc

Breaking news8888888Week 6 scores
John McGowan's Loads of Roubles, an early season favourite beat of all of his rivals to post week 6's highest score of 65. John moves up 5 places. Lovejoy meanwhile jumped 20 places with Alex's best season's score of 58, Arsene Knows was another big climber with 54 points, Tanus Terriers kept up their great start with 51, the same amount as another early season challenger, Aston Globetrotters.

A half century of points was banked by To Elland and back and Student Ninjas. Pure Irish continued their good run with 49 and three teams hit 48, leaders Frank & Beans, Keep the faith and No Hopers. Down Under Adelaide Taffs scored 47 and nearer home Paris Eagles and Glasgow kiss scored 46 as did One Night in Paris.

Bermuda Addicks, Killer Kilpo, Harry Houdini and Factastic Fancies all scored 45, Sarah notching a season-best.

Other notable scores were Hannoi Utd 33, Wemania's 25 and Real SociableLad's 20 with all three managers dropping out of the ten because of it. Jason's Gunner Bag It was week 6's lowest score with 13.

What's in a team name?

No. 1: Davor Duvancic's W Wallace Boys
This is more of an-in joke to be fair. I call Davor Serbian, he get's upset and calls me Scottish and I call him Bosnian, he calls me Welsh, etc etc. Guess you had to be there. Naming his N&R FL side W Wallace of course as Sweaty would know celebrates Sir William Wallace (1272 – 1305), known for leading a resistance during the War's of Scottish Independence and is today remembered in Scotland as a patriot and national hero just slightly ahead of George Burley and Rab C Nesbitt.

Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and became Guardian of Scotland, serving until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk. A few years later Wallace was captured in Robroyston near Glasgow and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him executed for treason. Not I would have thought a lucky omen for my tall Slovenian friend Davor.

Week 6 review

On the Saturday Arsenal thrashed Wigan 4-0, goals from Vermaelen (2), Eduardo and
Fabregas, Villa comfortably beat rock bottom Pompey 2-0. Agbonlahor and Milner on the scoresheet. Bolton and Stoke played out a boring 1-1 draw, and despite Darren Bent's goal two from on-loan Nugent helped continue Burnley's fantastic home record at Turf Moor.

O'Connor's goal for Birmingham gave them victory over struggling Hull and two Torres goals assisted Liverpool to an entertaining 3-2 victory at Upton Park.

On Sunday Chelsea thrashed pretenders Spurs 3-0, Everton beat Blackburn by the same scoreline and Woves won at home to Foolham. Then at the OT United beat Citeh 4-3 in the 137th minute.

2016 Olympic decision due in a weeks time

It was over 4 years ago that IOC president Jacques Rogge called out London's name as the host city for the 2012 Olympics, and it will be the same man who will announce which city from a shortlist of Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Madrid and Chicago will host the 2016 Olympics following the voting of the 107 International Olympic Committee members in Denmark in just a weeks time.

We all know the the choosing of Olympic cities is generally a political gallimaufry of political pay-off's and pay-backs but the Chicago delegation to be led by Michelle Obama will be in Copenhagen on October 2nd with as much chance as their rivals to win the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic games over a 6-week period in the summer of 2016.

The 107 IOC members vote by secret ballot, with the candidate getting the fewest votes eliminated in each round until one city secures a winning majority. London as you will hopefully happily remember beat Paris by four votes when decided in July 2005.

I think there is still an outside chance that President Obama will show in Copenhagen for the decision, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish King Juan Carlos are both attending and Japan's new Prime Minster Yukio Hatoyama is being urged to go. President Obama stated that urgent US Healthcare reforms need to take precedent so is sending his wife instead. Mind you Mrs Obama, or the First Lady as she is now called, is an impassioned speaker and a Chicagoan through and through and I would hope her more natural character will win over voters more so than stuffy career politicans.

Rogge said there are no favourites and it will be close. "I think the final vote will be decided by a couple of votes only." However GamesBids.com, an authoritive website which examines the bidding process showed Chicago lagging slightly behind the emotional favourites Rio de Janeiro in the race - the Games have never been in South America. Paris in 2005 were also the favourites if you remember, and I know that Chicago's 2016 Committee are more than happy not to be out front in the running.

Chicago's plan is for nearly all of the venues to be located in the heart of downtown using Lake Michigan as a dramatic backdrop but in Chicago for sure the feeling amongst locals is mixed. Whose going to pay for it? Will the city make a financial guarantee to cover potential losses? What are the environmental issues? Is it just one big ploy to keep the Mayor in office for another term? What about the antiquated transportation system? Just some of the questions being asked but like the majority I really hope Chicago gets it, especially rather selfishly after London hosts the Games four years before.

I actually reckon President Obama will make it to Copenhagen on October 2nd and he, his wife and the Chicago team will help open the IOC's eyes to credibly one of the most stunning Olympic venues the world will have ever seen.

Fruit loops

Sol's disappearance from Notts County doesn't have appeared to elicited much media attention, probably because football writers all know he is as nutty as a fruitcake.

After Sol left Tottenham for Arsenal in the summer of 2001 I bumped into him holed up in a hotel in Italy, allegedly with a friend. We had a very brief hello and he looked stunned when I recognised him. To be fair without my lenses in a huge giant of a black man stood out amongst lots of little Italian hotel workers.

Sol is said to have a very fragile psychology and one can only wonder at what changes in just a few week's after signing a five-year contract in a blaze of glory and cash but then giving it up after 90 minutes at Morecambe? One thing is for sure that other fruit loop Sven-Goran Erikkson will not be able to work it out.

Photograph of the week

It is not true my source tells me that Sol has run off with this Morecombe defender but Sol has walked out on Notts County after just one game after was he described as a "reality check." Sven-Goran Erikkson went on to say that Sol wasn't happy with the training facilities nor County's Meadow Lane ground. The life of Sol Campbell is very strange indeed.

Chas and Dave split

Cockneys, old ladies, Ricky and Ossie and Spurs fans worldwide will be heartbroken tonight at the news of Chas and Dave splitting up after 35 years (more).

Responsible for hits like Rabbit, Rabbit, Ain't No Pleasing You and Snooker Loopy, Chas and Dave performed together for nearly four decades. They have called it a day after Dave Peacock's wife, Sue, died from lung cancer.

Chas and Dave have been called the musical equivalent of pie and mash and somehow not seeing them rolled out for a good knees up or a FA Cup Final song or a Royal Wedding won't somehow seem the same.

Come on Spurs fans, a 1, a 1, a 1, 2, 3....

Ossie's going to Wembley, His knees have gone all trembley
Come on you Spurs, Come on you Spurs.

Top 10 pretty consistent

Breaking news8888888Week 5 Table
For the 3rd week in a row Frank & Beans remain top of the N&R FL. Tanus Terriers move close behind in 2nd with Aston Globetrotters up to 3rd. So two of the top 3 being newbies. In 4th nicely positioned is ex-champ Ryan and Savlyuchenko Spurs just ahead of climber Real SocialbleLad and W Wallace Boys.

In 7th is Wenmania with Hannoi Utd and Loads of Roubles together in 8th. Hilary Flynn's Pure Irish are 10th. Interestingly the bulk of the managers in the top 10 has hardly changed since the first week.

Just outside this group sitting pretty is surprisingly Keep the faith without the help of anyone and Bingo FC. Little Red Devil and Paris Eagles are also making their way up the table in 13th and 14th respectively. Egg chasing is best slumped 12 places in week 5 and big climbers were Bermuda Addicks, Lovejoy and the No Hopers.

At the root of the table 31 points adrift are Brighton Blues. Sarah's Factastic Fancies stay second from bottom and Goonersmoan, Cesc and the City and Killer Kilpo make up the bottom 5.

In the Papers

A very interesting article if you didn't see it in the Sunday Times about the world of Roman Abramovich and the people that work for him.

Click here: Chelsea: muppets on a string.

Pure Horne

Breaking news8888888Week 5 scores
Lee Horne's Tanus Terriers collect their 2nd MoW award in just 4 weeks of action in week 5 picking up 45 points in the lowest scoring week so far. Rob Saxon's Real SociableLad continued their fine early season form with 44 and at last Nobby's Bermuda Addicks showed turned on the style by collecting 3rd place with 42.

Meanwhile early leaders Frank & Beans shot a 41 to stay top and Savlyuchenko Spurs also stay in the mix with a 38. Lovejoy Luvvies, St George's Rovers and Aston Globetrotters each scored 36 whilst Killer Kilpo and the No Hopers had much better weeks to give both Stu and Michael encouragement.

Guinness & eggs notched a 34, Gooner Win League 33, Harry Houdini 32 and Jimmy 5 Bellies and Ben's Special Ones 31. Other scores of note were our poor Yugoslavian friend Davor's W Wallace boys with 27, Soozie-Sooz Sizzlers 24, Hannoi Utd 22, Keep the Faith 21 and Boys on tour 17.

The worst weekly score also becomes the season's so far. Paul Long's Brighton Blues managed an embarrassing 4.

Prem +

Six games played, 15% of the season gone and guess who the top two are? Chelsea with a 100% record are looking pretty powerful under Ancellotti, and then Man U fresh from their winner scored in the 3rd hour of injury time yesterday are in second. The Reds have beaten both Arsenal, Spurs and local rivals Citeh. Liverpool who a few weeks ago were being talked about as also-rans are 3rd and Arsenal with a game in hand sit in 7th with a decent goal difference.

Spuds after winning their first 4 games have now lost two on the spin to Man U and Chelsea letting in 6 in the process proving the gap in quality is still alive and well. Oh well Tottenham fans it was good why it lasted. Man City are in 4th and I haven't forgotten still have a game in hand. They put up a bloody good battle yesterday at the OT, a ground famously without a stadium clock. Can Citeh keep this up? Only time will tell but with Villa in 5th, the top 7 is no surprise to anyone after just 6 games.

Behind these Darren Bent has scored 5 goals for Sunderland, one less than top scorer Rooney. The Black Cats had their most disappointing defeat of the season on Saturday losing to Burnley, who have come out of the blocks like Usian Bolt with a whippet and a cloth cap but Owen Coyle should soak up the headlines because the bad times are around the corner.

Stoke, Birmingham and Wolves have all got vital points on the board early and Pulis, McLeish and McCarthy will all be pleased but know they have to keep scrapping as they all are relegation fodder. With Everton finally getting over the Lescott ordeal they will look to climb the table hopeful in joining the top 7 or 8 to fight for a Europa Cup Place - so exciting that Goodison Park was almost half empty for the visit of AEK Athens last week!

Imagine you supported either Birmingham, Wolves, Burnley, Hull or Stoke for a moment and think about which other teams you will be fighting relegation with and which games are already 6-pointers. I'll start you off with Pompey. They look in the shit don't they from the pitch up to the boardroom. Paul Hart has to be the first Premiership managerial sacking. He is 4/6 after the weekend and I reckon we are watching the next Forest, Leeds, Charlton, Norwich, Southampton in the making I am sorry to say.

Who else? What about Wigan? Playing some fancy stuff under a good young manager in Martinez but can he cut it at this level? I'll compare them to Bolton and it'll be interesting to see if Wanderers fighting spirit, long ball chuff and resilence will hold them in better stead than Wigan's passing game. Blackburn under Allardyce have started poorly and I don't think Big Sam has built much of a team at Ewood. Roberts, Andrews, Dunn, Chimbonda don't inspire me. They need Benni McCarthy, Diouf and Emerton fit and interested to move away from danger.

I think Hull are fit for the drop under permatan man. I had them marked down early doors, which should give hope to the promoted sides but they have bought big. If nothing else Vennegoor of Hesselink should raise the Tigers some money sticking his name on shirts. Him and Altidore are interesting signings. West Ham and Fulham should pick up too many points to be involved in a relegation battle.

My bottom 3 will be Pompey, Hull and Wolves. My top 4? I am going to stick my neck out and say Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Week 5 review

After no games in week 4, week 5 saw Liverpool bounce back with a 4-0 victory over Burnley, Benayoun getting a hat-trick. In the big talking point Citeh beat Arsenal 4-2 with Adebayor running back 80 yards for the first time in his career. Cahill's last minute goal secured Bolton's first win over still winless Pompey. A 94th minute Malouda goal kept Chelsea's 100% record as they came from behind to beat Stoke 2-1.

Two goals from Darren Bent and one for Andy Reid helped Sunderland thrash Hull 4-1, a Rodallega strike was good enough for Wigan to beat the Hammers and Giggs, Anderson and Rooney all scored in a 3-1 win at White Hart Lane, this after Defoe scored in the first minute. Blackburn won their first game of the season beating Wolves 3-1.

On the Sunday Agbonlahor got the winner for Villa in the west midlands derby and Duff and Konchesky scored for Fulham in their 2-1 defeat of Everton.

Adebayor Game

Play now:
http://www.mousebreaker.com/games/badadebayor/playgame

Road to Wembley - Mangotsfield Utd facts

Mangotsfield is actually a place, about 8 miles north-east of Bristol and it's football team were first established in the village in 1888. For you Americans to put that into some sort of historical context, in 1888 the United States consisted of just 38 states, in that same year the village of Mangotsfield had a ruddy football team.

So, 8 things you never knew you ever wanted to know about Mangotsfield:

1) Mangotsfield is actually mentioned in the Doomsday Book completed in 1086. That is one-zero-eight-six to you Americans.
2) Population of the village is 9,000.
3) The most famous person ever born here? Easy, Gary Penrice the ex Villa and QPR, ahem, star.
4) The Mangos as I call them play at the Cossham Street Stadium with the Bristol Women's team, members of the Premier League and affiliated with Bristol Rovers. Cossham Stadium holds 2,500 people on a good day. 423 watched them host a Stoke City XI in a pre-season friendly in July.
5) Mangotsfield play in the The Zamaretto League South & West Division, the 4th level of the pyramid outside the football league.
6) The Mangos home colour is claret jerseys with a blue stripe on the chest. Think West Ham in the 70's.
7) The manager is a bloke called Phil Bater, who played for Bristol Rovers, Wrexham, Brentford and Cardiff in a very decent career.
8) The furthest they have ever gone in the FA Cup is the 4th Round Qualifying.

After overcoming Wantage Town in the first qualifying round of The FA Cup Mangotsfield United face a trip to Dorset to play Gillingham Town (not Gillingham FC) in the 2nd QR after the Toolstation League Division One outfit beat Saltash United 6 - 5 in a replay which went to extra time. The tie will be played on Saturday 26th September.

In the Papers

For those Rugger Buggers amongst you and us others that held Dean Richards in lofty esteem as one of England's most passionate ever sportsmen, this Sunday Times interview about the 'Bloodgate' scandal makes sad but interesting reading. Richards in Sunday Times.

Keith Floyd RIP

The man who taught a generation that a fine glass of claret is a must have accessery when you are cooking. Keith Floyd died yesterday at home in Dorset of a heart attack, he was aged 65.

Way before television chefs took over the airwaves Keith Floyd led the way with a wonderful and purposefully amatuerish and scruffy BBC series called Floyd on Fish in 1985. His wine fuelled flamboyance and ability to get out and about to talk to normal people was a real success and he followed this show up with many varieties of Floyd on shows and wrote over 20 books making him a millionaire. Unfortunately he lost the lot on his dream pub and restaurant called The Maltsters Arms in Devon and the snotty nosed arseholes at modern television had no time for the man whom Jamie Oliver called "the best television chef" any more and cancelled further shows in preference for fancy pancy young chefs.

I am sad to see Floyd go as his shows were more inspirational and fun than most of the dross served up today. One of the greatest ever chefs Marco Pierre White said today: "A little piece of Britain died yesterday which will never be replaced. He was an individual, he was a maverick, he was mercurial, he was magical, he was special, he was rare."

I will raise a glass tonight in his memory. RIP Keith Floyd.
Guardian Obituary. His last supper.

Road to Wembley - Wantage Mango'ed

Wantage Town didn't last long as our Road to Wembley side, they got beat 3-0 at Mangotsfield United in the 1st Qualifying Round. Wantage were given an insight into football at the level to which they aspire, as they were overpowered by a physically stronger and generally more robust Mangotsfield team.

The home side’s more direct approach was evident from the kick-off putting Wantage under pressure with a series of long punts forward. Mangotsfield were also sharper to the ball, particularly in midfield, where Wantage were given little opportunity to construct moves.

In the 10th minute, Mangotsfield took the lead, Mike Trought being first to a low cross to turn the ball in at the near post. Eight minutes later, the Mangotsfield midfielder scored his second as Captain Scott Hendy headed back a long corner for Trought to head past Darryl Simms in the Wantage goal. At this point Wantage looked set for a drubbing, but their workrate stepped up and they were able to resist all that the home side threw at them for the rest of the half.

Wantage put up a better fist of it in the 2nd half but Mangotsfield sealed the tie in the 67th minute when substitute Luke Prosser was given time and space to line up a fierce low drive from just outside the box, giving Wantage keeper Darryl Simms little chance to save as the shot came through a crowd of players.

Wantage Team: Simms, Webb (McCullough), Copp, Swann, Wallbridge (Illsley), Malton, Austin, Belcher, Claydon (Horsell), Guy, Jones.
Subs not used: Dewar, Bourne, Daley.
Attendance: 146

More on the Mango's another day.

Photograph of the week

Was a 90-yard sprint that Usain Bolt would have been proud off really necessary after Emmanuel Adebayor scored for his new paymasters (£150,000 a week) Man City in their 4-1 beating of Arsenal? Mind you I don't think I have ever seen Arsenal fans get so excited!

No week 4 scores

Due to the International week of action. The Premiership games kick off again at 3pm Saturday 12th, and the week 5 scores will be released next week.

Beans means topz

Breaking news8888888Week 3 Table
Frank & Beans open a lead up at the top of the table of 7 points after another fine performance in week 3. Wenmania move into 2nd, just ahead of last week's joint leader Tanus Terriers. The W Wallace boys are nicely set up in 4th. Davor incidentially is in London tomorrow for Croatia's defeat at Wembley. Enjoy my Yugoslavian friend.

5th are the Egg Chasers, representing a great start for Dan, together in 6th is Pure Irish and Hannoi Utd. And Aston Globetrotters and Keep the faith have surprised a lot of people, not least at AIG London, at their team's excellent start. Henry and Francey share 8th with Loads of Roubles in 10th again showing that Johnny will be a force to reckon with this season.

Bingo FC are down to 11th, Savlyuchenko Spurs slip 7 places to 12th but Little Red Devils move up to 13th. The biggest climbers were Californication up 19 spots to 15th and Adelaide Taffs also a 19th place jumper to 23rd.

In the lower half of the table 2Infinity & beyond, Vodka Hooligan, Soozie Sooz Sizzlers, Bermuda Addicks, FFC 4 Ever and Glasgow kiss are all struggling early doors. Sarah's Factastic Fancies have had a duff start but it is Paul and his son Christian struggling the most with just 67 points for Brighton Blues moored to the bottom. Mind you they has just transferred half team.

Dan scrambles to the week's best score

Breaking news8888888Week 3 scores
Egg chasing is best (sic) proved that Dan is not only a rugger bugger but also knows a little bit about the beautiful game too. 58 points moved him into 5th place after 3 weeks of competition. Up to 15th is Californication after Chris netted 54 points, the equal number to Adelaide Taffs and St George's Rovers, but scores giving a helping hand to Huw and Razor after a slow start.

Loads of Roubles made the top 10 and I expect John to stay a while, Boswell's Megan and Hannah's Teddy Bears scored 52 following up on last week's fine effort. Ready's Hannoi Utd are now 6th after scoring 50, a point less than In Tatters. Current champ Gooner won league hatched a 49. This moves Neil to 28th after a poor start. The big news was Frank & Beans early rise to top place. The Chicago boys whalloped a 48, the same score as perennial strugglers Keep the faith but currently sitting in 8th and new boys Morgan's Machines.

Other scores of interest were Pure Irish's 44 following last week's WoW performance. Wenmania scored 44 also, Glasgow kiss moved up the league with a 43. Rochdale Allstars have had their best start for years and hit a 41. Ben's Special Ones are struggling on their lonesome after only making a 34, one of the pre-season favourites Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net could only net 31, whilst rookie Kilpo's Killers struggles on with a 29. Mind you Bermuda Addicks have had a terrible start, just 24 for me in week 3 but it was Goonersmoan who hit the worst score of 18.

South Africa 2010 Countdown

So far Brazil, Holland, Australia, S Korea, N Korea, Japan and Ghana have all made it through to join hosts South Africa. 32 of the world's best sides will fly to South Africa next June but it seems incredible that as the qualifying groups stand today Argentina (8), Portugal (17), France (10), Croatia (9), Mexico (24) and the Czech Republic (18) might not qualify for next years World Cup Finals. Even Germany (4) are not certain and for sure the European play-off's will represent some cracking ties to be settled on a home and away basis. In brackets are the current FIFA rankings which always spark a lot of debate by the way. The USA being at number 11 for example eh Tim, Dennis, Steve??

Anyway throughout the season we will follow the triumphs and tribulations of the qualification stages as South Africa gets set to welcome the world's best teams to it's shores.

Non League Scene

I know a few of you have secret soft spots for non-league teams, often local to where you live or where you grew up. Ian Monohan for example is a closet Maidstone United fan, and I believe Rob Munden has Sutton United as his second team. I meanwhile used to watch Welling, Bromley and Dulwich Hamlet in my yoof and followed Hornchurch when I lived out that way before moving to Chicago.

So I am interested in your stories of standing on crumpled old terraces with a few old men and a dog drinking bovril and watching overweight blokes give everything for a bit of pocket money and a lot of pride. The non-league game with the advent of the Conference and pyramid has changed enormously yet I know many people that are watching less and less league football and rekindling an interest in their local non-league teams. I want to hear from you and periodically during the season I will research a team and write about it here. Email me at simon_newport@agl.aon.com.

Week 3 review

Before the Premiership broke for international week. The Saturday previously Liverpool won late at Bolton in a game in which if they didn't gain 3 points then supposedly they were out of the title race. Gerrard getting the all important winner and old fantasy favourite Kevin Davies getting his first goal of the season. Chelsea retained their 100% record beating Burnley 3-0. Cole, Ballack and Anelka all illegally poached allegedly scored the goals. Aaron Lennon waited 'til the 95th minute to keep Spurs' 100% record up as they fortunately beat Brum 2-1.

In the day's big game Man U beat Arsenal 2-1 thanks to fantastic header from Diaby, just happened to be in the wrong goal. Rooney and Arshavin were the other scorers. Kitson got the winner for Stoke, enjoying a good start, as they beat Sunderland. Wolves and Hull shared the points at Molineux and Blackburn and West Ham played out a scoreless draw.

In Sunday's games Villa beat Fulham 2-0, Leighton Baines put away a late, late penalty to beat a much improved Wigan 2-1 and Adebayor scored his 3rd goal in 3 games as Citeh beat Pompey to stay 4th.

Photograph of the week

Who said Arsene Wenger was a crap footballer in his youth? Absolutely hilarious scenes at Old Trafford Saturday evening when with 95 minutes on the clock the Arsenal manager was sent to the stands after the 4th official grassed him up. He then proceeded to wander around aimlessly whilst being baited by happy United fans. As Alan Oakley said, it was worth the new season's Sky subscription alone.