A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB...

Well, that is the fate that has befallen two of the football teams I follow, as a result of yesterday`s play-off first leg games.   Firstly, Forest Green Rovers went down 2-0 away at Newport County`s Rodney Parade Ground in South Wales.  The game was screened live on Sky Sports and it may have been the effect of the worldwide audience that played on the minds of the Rovers players (although they were in competition for viewing figures with Manchester United, whose game was on a neighbouring channel at the same time.)  

In other games between the two teams this season, one was a 0-0 draw and the other a 1-0 win for Rovers, so it was always going to be a close call.   The return leg is at Rovers` New Lawn ground in Nailsworth on Sunday and although they have a mountain to climb hope springs eternal.

The other play-off game that concerned me was the first leg encounter between Brechin City and Kelty Hearts at the latter`s New Central Park ground in Fife.  Must be a difficult place to go to, Kelty, as Brechin went down 2-1 in yet another close encounter.  The return leg will be at Brechin`s Glebe Park ground on Sunday to determine whether the home side will retain their Scottish League Two status or take Kelty`s place in the Highland League, where they might look up trips to Fort William, Wick, Fraseburgh and other northern outposts.  A mountain to climb for Brechin then - perhaps in more ways than one.

As almost an afterthought, my beloved Southampton played Leeds - the Damned United - in their last home game of the season before an expectant 8,000 Saints supporters.   In true Saints` style, they contrived to lose 2-0, thanks to a goalkeeping blunder and a 95th minute breakaway goal that followed a golden opportunity to level the scores. 

So, a hat trick of defeats for the three teams left for me to follow in these dog days of the season.  Nothing too unusual about that but I long ago learned the lesson of life that says you have to learn how to lose before you can enjoy the winning. In the recorded `highlights`, I caught a glimpse of my old seat in Block 9, Row P of the Itchen Stand at St. Mary`s.   There didn`t seem to be anyone sitting there.   Perhaps it has been `retired` since my departure?