Just about sums up yesterday`s footy.  Let `s begin with the good news and my neighbour must surely be over the moon following Gillingham`s impressive 4-1 win away at Rochdale, where Spotland is always a difficult place to go to.  The result bodes well for an upsurge in their revival following recent disappointments.

In the second round of the FA Trophy, Truro City made the 620 mile round trip to visit Canvey Island in Essex to take on Concord Rangers and come away with a 2-1 win to progress to the next round of the competition - if there is to be one of course. That`s a hell of a journey at the best of times but flogging through the Dartford Tunnel amid the pre-Christmas and pre-lockdown traffic is nothing short of admirable.  In the same competition, Maidstone United came out 2-0 winners over Poole Town.

Southampton took on Manchester City in front of 2,000 spectators at St, Mary`s but could not repeat the last time the two sides met when Saints emerged 1-0 winners:  this time the result was reversed but it was still encouraging to see Saints playing well and continuing to progress under the guidance of Ralph Hasenhuttl despite dropping now to fifth in the Premier League - it`s tight at the top, to be fair.

A curious set of circumstances seemed to befall Stoke Gabriel yesterday when they were due to play Brixham in a South West Peninsula League Division One East encounter. I could find no mention of a result except for some vague mention of `host club being unwilling to attend Tier 3 venue` or something.  That message has now disappeared so the mystery remains but it might now be all academic as the whole league programme seems once again to be on hold thanks to Mr. Covid and his newfound variant.  Pity really - the trials of the underdog are so much more interesting than the triumphs of the elite. 

Next to deepest Gloucestershire where Forest Green Rovers managed to overcome Carlisle United in a top of the table clash at the New Lawn to go second in League Two and drop Carlisle down to third, despite our street`s fashion guru Scott Wagstaff not being called upon, given the manager`s reluctance to change a winning team.  

And finally - but by no means least - it was good to see Fort William play their first Highland League game of the season yesterday against table topping Brora Rangers, who have now played three league games.  Trouble was, the result ended up with a 10-0 drubbing for The Fort but it was always going to be a difficult encounter against a strong Brora side - but at least they are playing again.

So, a mixed bag and we now just have to wait and see whether there will be any more footy to report on as the season of good will clashes with the new Covid restrictions.....and I`m still waiting for the call to have my jab!!