Yes, it`s been another of those weekends as far as my football teams are concerned.  A number of games were called off for various reasons with Stoke Gabriel, Brechin City, Fort William, Vale of Leithen and Southampton not having a game.    The most disappointing postponement was Southampton`s home game against Newcastle which should have take place at St. Mary`s yesterday.

Newcastle, claiming the effects of Covid and injuries to their two best players, asked the Premier League to postpone the game which request was granted.  It seemed extraordinary that a club with 65 registered players could not `fulfill the fixture` and it led to suspicion on the part of the Saints fans and a complaint to the league officials by the Southampton club.  It won`t make any difference, of course, but it does give strength to the notion that clubs who had requested games to be postponed by the Premier League should not be allowed to play an newly signed players in the rearranged fixture now that the infernal transfer window has opened again.

Undoubtedly pride of place this week goes to Maidstone United who, in beating local rivals Tonbridge before a home crowd of 3,100. went top of the National League South table. Nice one. And it was encouraging to see Gillingham gain a valuable point away in a goalless draw at MK Dons; the score in that game being 0-0.

Now at this time of the year the various leagues try to arrange fixtures so as to reduce the amount of travelling time for both the clubs and their supporters - witness Maidstone against Tonbridge, for example, separated by a mere 14 miles.  But sometimes geography works against that idea and so we saw Truro City making the 300 miles round trip to Weston super Mare on New Year`s Day.   Tomorrow evening they travel to Wimborne in Dorset for another `local derby` which will involve another 325 miles on the road.

Lastly, a word or two about Aldershot Town.   After a more than shaky start to the season, they have managed to turn things around in recent weeks having lost just one game in the past couple of months and climbed well clear of any relegation worries.  Yesterday they pulled off an impressive 3-2 away win at near neighbours Woking in the National League so their excellent recent run continues. 

An unconfirmed rumour suggests that yesterday`s game was the last one for Aldershot for our street`s local hero Scott ("Fear the Beard") Wagstaff.  His contract with the Shots has come to an end and although the club are keen to keep his services, family and logistical considerations mean that he might feel the need to `move on.`   The rumours also suggests that he is likely to join the ranks of Bromley FC - also in the National League - which will be a much more agreeable arrangement for all concerned.  

So, whilst maintaining a close interest in the fortunes of Scott`s former clubs, including Forest Green Rovers, Bristol City, Wimbledon, Gillingham, Northwich Victoria, Leyton Orient, Bournemouth, Charlton and now Aldershot, it`s likely that our street will now become Bromley fans - at least for a while  Come on you Ravens!!