GUT FEELING SIMON STODDART’S

My views - not United's - on semi-pro football and occasionally, other topics.

We Meet Again

That's been a while eh. Couple of weeks short of 10 years ago, 3rd November 2012 saw United away to this afternoon's opposition - Bishop's Stortford - in a 1st Round FA Cup tie. We were Ryman Premier while Bishop's Stortford played a level higher in what is today's National North. United came back from a goal down to win 2-1 with goals from Sean Ray and Zac Attwood. Attendance that afternoon was 1,212.

That, of course, was the season United played 8 FA Cup ties with their final involvement being the memorable 3rd round fixture away to Middlesbrough. A memorable season for various reasons - the 2nd round replay here against Harrogate in front of 4028 spectators (2986 at their place), the big day at The Riverside and - depressinglythe eye taken off the ball as United ended up relegated to Rym an South. Too many drawn games were to cost United.

Nine seasons it took us to get back to step 3 and today sees us taking on a much fancied Bishop's Stortford who, having given Worthing a good run for their money last season - will be hoping to go one better this time around.

A look at their history shows they are one of those clubs who's geographical location sees them getting shuffled around with ups and downs of relegation and promotion thrown in. They had initially been a Conference South club, were shuffled sideways to Conference North, were relegated to the Southern Premier a few years later (prior to the recent formation of Southern Premier Central and South) and then moved sideways to the Isthmian Premier. Southern Premier Central might appeal to them more. Today's trek must be one of their longest.

Dicko was on the United bench for that FA Cup tie 10 years ago, incidentally.

LA LIGA FOR UNDER £100

Following professional teams - especially Premier League - must set you back a few quid. We all work with people who follow various sides at all levels - no exception here, I work at Network Rail's Three Bridges Area Signalling Centre with 70 or so colleagues. And yakking away with Luke the other evening, h e told me about his recent visit to the San Siro to see Inter Milan vs AS Roma.

Unbelievable but true - flight, ticket and a hotel room (albeit described as 'gross' by Luke) came to £99.33. £55.50 return with Easyjet, £34.50 and £9.33 for the overnight stay. That's not bad eh?

Luke was a Manchester Utd season ticket holder - yes, a real United supporter, until recently. He seems to have turned into a groundhopper - and up and down the leagues he hops. San Siro on 1st October, Herne Bay vs Lewes on Tuesday evening!

Facebook Has Its Uses

Above are two blasts from the past - Spencer Mintram (left) and Mat Ball who were two stalwarts for Hastings Town back at the turn of the century.

They both came from Worthing - Mat was with Town quite a bit longer. Two top players. Mat lived round the corner from me and I would quite often give him a ride home from the Pilot Field. Found this picture in Facebook. There's an awful lot of brain dead material in FB but it does have its uses and seeing this pop up was fantastic. All the best to both of them.

Back To League Action

A win on penalties at Met Police sees United into the 1st Round of the FA Trophy. The devaluation of what is the prime semi pro knock out competition illustrated by a 0-0 draw being settled with penalties - no replay. Oh well, £2450 prize money and an interesting 1st Round tie here awaits in a fortnight when Burgess Hill call in.

Yes, league points at stake after two weekends of A, nothing due to our early FA Cup exit and B, Trophy tie at Met Police. Other sides have been playing for league points and we now have 3 games in hand in some cases.

The league is still taking shape. After the midweek games, United are 9th and we would all have taken that as we adjust to the demands of a higher standard of football. Too early to look at favourites etc. Everyone seems beatablePotters Bar and Aveley both lost this last week and biggest surprise of all is seeing Lewes misfiring. Hammered 4-0 at Three Bridges in an FA Cup replay - who saw that coming - they were 4-0 down at Herne Bay on Tuesday night after 41 minutes! Conceded 3 in 6 minutes! Oh well, we'll let them worry about that.

Continuing briefly on the FA Cup theme - Three Bridges had a decent draw for the next roundhome to Hereford United. Bridges average maybe 120 for league games, they have EFL2 Crawley next door virtually, so Hereford was a good one to get. The two league gap between Isthmian SE and National North eventually made a difference as Hereford won 3-0 in front of 746 spectators. Good pay day for the Bridges.

Not A Drop

Remarkable brain - beer - hand coordination skills by Andy Boswell who managed to celebrate goals against Brightlingsea Regent and Carshalton without spilling a drop it would seem …..

Check that out - Sam Hasler has just got the winner against Carshalton, the Steve Smith end erupts but Andy achieves 100% beer retention. What a talent! I might add that Ashley in the orange - son of Andy - appeared to manage full beer retention too.

Mrs Boswell's emoji reaction on Facebook -