THE ONLY WAY IS DOWN?

Well, despite my midsummer reluctance to make the journey to St. Mary`s today, I still managed to keep abreast of events concerning Snopper Street`s three football teams.   As in previous seasons, those of us residing in the street who eschew supporting Premier League clubs in favour of `our` teams, will once more be looking for the ultimate goal of nine points out of a possible nine .   And, would you Adam and Eve it, it happened today on the first day of the Football League season.

My long suffering neighbour and ardent Gillingham fan Mr. Slightly must have been dumbfounded as the Gills overcame a determined Cheltenham Town side thanks to the only goal of the game scored by Lewis Montrose before a crowd of 5,360.   One up, two to go.

Next, let`s hear it for the only one from the Snopper Street three  to actually attend a match today....and that was because he was playing.   Yes, folks, Charlton`s six-pack on legs, buzzin` pacy flanker Scott Wagstaff, scored the Addicks` second with a screamer that has already been described as an early contender for goal of the season.   Irrefutable evidence should emerge as recorders will be on for the Football League Show on BBC 1 starting at midnight. Charlton`s 16,000 fans must have been over the moon with Waggy`s piledriver and heartened by their team`s 3-0 win against Bournemouth.  Two up, one left.

Ah, the Saints.   Earlier this evening before a St. Mary`s crowd of nearly 26,000 - the highest in the Championship - and before a world-wide television audience, newly promoted Southampton scampered to an impressive 3-1 win against the Damned United.   This victory marked their first home game of a season win since 1988, when West Ham were beaten 4-0 at The Dell.    I may have wished I had gone now, but I enjoyed an evening`s ramble with Barney up on the North Downs, past the neolithic Coldrum Stones and seeing the majestic expanse of the Medway Valley.   It wasn`t St. Mary`s though.

So there we have it - our rare and elusive nine points out of nine.   A memorable start to Snopper Street`s soccer fortunes.  Trouble is, it might be all downhill next week.