But football goes on - at least in the upper reaches of the game - even though the number of confirmed cases is growing in the game and a number of matches are called off as a result. It`s questionable whether, along with the other more stringent restrictions expected today, football should be allowed to continue until it becomes sensible to resume.
In the circumstances it`s perhaps forgivable that some players` minds are elsewhere and performances on the field of play are perhaps a little short of what we are used to. A good example is Southampton, not helped by a series of injuries and their manager, Ralph Husenhattl, absent and having to self isolate as a member of his household has tested positive for the virus. The Saints have now gone four matches without winning and failing to score in three of them. For us supporters that might be a bit disappointing but ninth place in the Premier League with 26 points indicates a solid season so far.
So last night`s 0-0 draw with West Ham is not only forgivable but, for me at least, politically correct, having a good friend who is a West Ham fan and near neighbours of a similar disposition. Elsewhere in my football world there is not much to write home about either. Gillingham crashed to a 3-1 defeat last night away at Northampton and Forest Green Rovers went down 2-1 at home to Crawley Town, despite which they remain second in the League Two table.
My new found heroes of Brechin City played in the first round of the Scottish Cup on Boxing Day but went down 3-2 to non-league Linlithgow Rose; Truro City are in hibernation along with Stoke Gabriel and Maidstone United`s FA Trophy game at home against Frome Town was called off when the Somerset club declined to travel from their Tier 3 base to Maidstone in Tier 4.
So, all is all, a `festive period` to forgive, forget and move on. To be fair.
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