Well, after another weekend of football`s of ups and downs, I must start by mentioning the fact that Vale of Leithen - our newly discovered ultra minnows - have reached what is perhaps an unhappy milestone in their season in the Scottish lowland League.  It came when their 7-1 home defeat to East Stirlingshire brought their record this season to 18 games played, none won, one drawn and 17 defeats;  but it`s their goal difference of scoring just 7 goals this season, conceding 107 and thus reaching the milestone of minus 100 that brings them pride of place this week.  But congratulations to them for carrying on against all the odds.

In other news, despite my forebodings about Friday night football, Southampton overcame Aston Villa 1-0 under the St. Mary`s lights to climb to 12th in the Premier League table following three wins and a draw in their last four games.  Heady stuff. Pass the sal volatile.

Two other wins to report - Brechin City`s 1-0 away win at Clachnacuddin kept them in second place in the Highland League; trouble is that only the team finishing top is guaranteed promotion and as things stand Brechin are six points behind rampant Fraserburgh.  A long way to go though.   The other victory came courtesy of Truro City`s 3-1 win away at Merthyr Town in the Southern League Premier South.  Reminded me of the old days when fans produced club fanzines; Merthyr`s was `Dial M for Merthyr` which almost rivalled Fulham`s `There`s only one F in Fulham` for an inventive title.

Gillingham drew 1-1 with Cheltenham in the FA Cup, so a replay at Whaddon Road looms for my neighbour`s heroes.  Maidstone United contrived to lose again, this time 1-0 at home to Slough Town, all of which suggests that Maidstone`s game plan of just avoiding promotion for financial reasons seems to be working.

As for Fort William, their game at Keith was postponed because Keith`s Kynoch Park ground failed a pitch inspection, which leaves only Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police FC to mention and they duly obliged by losing again, 4-0 to Axminster Town in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division East.  That result keeps them at the bottom of the table thanks only to Sidmouth Town`s slightly superior goal difference.

So that`s that for another week - it might be an international break now for a couple of weeks but I doubt that will trouble most of my perennial minnows although the Saints could lose Bednarek, Adams, Armstrong, Salisu, Ward-Prowse, Broja, Djenepo and Elyounoussi (yes, he`s Norwegian believe it or not) to international call ups.  Come back safe, lads - there`s Norwich away in two weeks time.