As I write this the France v. Wales six nations match is on the television and Wales have just come back from 16-0 down to make the score 16-14. There are so many handling errors that it seems the other nations have nothing to worry about but the match is being played inside a waterfall.
The upcoming matches this weekend are, according to my spreadsheet:
Arsenal away to Manchester City on Sunday. I cannot expect anything from this one.
Tomorrow, Saturday 2nd February, all the other matches take place.
Brentford at home to Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn are ten places above Brentford so perhaps I should expect nothing more than a draw. We watch football, however, for the unexpected to happen.
Southend are at home to Bristol Rovers. Southend are in mid table with Rovers in the relegation zone so I would expect a home win. Football, though, is unpredictable.
Exeter are at home to Milton Keynes Dons. Exeter are in the playoff places one place and three points behind Milton Keynes. To prove their worth Exeter have to win and leave both teams on 50 points.
Eastleigh are at home to Barnet. Barnet have their fingers in so many pies it would be greedy of them to want the League as well so I expect Eastleigh to take advantage of the fact that Barnet have their minds on other things.
Weston-super-Mare are away to St Albans City and being at the bottom I expect Weston to come away with nothing. Any kind of draw or even win would be a bonus for this underperforming team.
Tiverton Town are away to Staines Town. Tiverton are now mid table but Staines sit at the foot and are clearly whipping boys. I trust Tiverton to do the right thing and whip those boys to defeat.
Barnstaple are at home to Mangotsfield United and I have half a mind to visit their ground for the first time. Mangotsfield are only two places and six points above Barnstaple who sit bottom and are expected to be whipped even at home. Maybe I can bring Barum some good luck.
Buckland Athletic are at home to Bradford Town. These two teams sit 7th and 8th both on 40 points.
This looks like an even contest and could be a great match. I know where the ground is and although parking is awkward it might be worth a watch if I do not leave for Barnstaple in time.
Exmouth are away to Millbrook in the South West Peninsula League. Exmouth are now third in the table, four places above Millbrook so this one could be an even contest. I fancy Exmouth to edge a result as they have a goalscorer, Ace High, who seems to be enjoying his football.
Bonus: Elmore are at home to Stoke Gabriel in the South West Peninsula League East Division. This one is level eleven, just outside the ten professional leagues, so entry should be free. I know the ground and only had a problem parking on one occasion, the match against Exmouth Town. This is my fallback choice.
The score on the TV is now France 19 Wales 24 with one minute to go.
Enjoy your weekend.
The upcoming matches this weekend are, according to my spreadsheet:
Arsenal away to Manchester City on Sunday. I cannot expect anything from this one.
Tomorrow, Saturday 2nd February, all the other matches take place.
Brentford at home to Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn are ten places above Brentford so perhaps I should expect nothing more than a draw. We watch football, however, for the unexpected to happen.
Southend are at home to Bristol Rovers. Southend are in mid table with Rovers in the relegation zone so I would expect a home win. Football, though, is unpredictable.
Exeter are at home to Milton Keynes Dons. Exeter are in the playoff places one place and three points behind Milton Keynes. To prove their worth Exeter have to win and leave both teams on 50 points.
Eastleigh are at home to Barnet. Barnet have their fingers in so many pies it would be greedy of them to want the League as well so I expect Eastleigh to take advantage of the fact that Barnet have their minds on other things.
Weston-super-Mare are away to St Albans City and being at the bottom I expect Weston to come away with nothing. Any kind of draw or even win would be a bonus for this underperforming team.
Tiverton Town are away to Staines Town. Tiverton are now mid table but Staines sit at the foot and are clearly whipping boys. I trust Tiverton to do the right thing and whip those boys to defeat.
Barnstaple are at home to Mangotsfield United and I have half a mind to visit their ground for the first time. Mangotsfield are only two places and six points above Barnstaple who sit bottom and are expected to be whipped even at home. Maybe I can bring Barum some good luck.
Buckland Athletic are at home to Bradford Town. These two teams sit 7th and 8th both on 40 points.
This looks like an even contest and could be a great match. I know where the ground is and although parking is awkward it might be worth a watch if I do not leave for Barnstaple in time.
Exmouth are away to Millbrook in the South West Peninsula League. Exmouth are now third in the table, four places above Millbrook so this one could be an even contest. I fancy Exmouth to edge a result as they have a goalscorer, Ace High, who seems to be enjoying his football.
Bonus: Elmore are at home to Stoke Gabriel in the South West Peninsula League East Division. This one is level eleven, just outside the ten professional leagues, so entry should be free. I know the ground and only had a problem parking on one occasion, the match against Exmouth Town. This is my fallback choice.
The score on the TV is now France 19 Wales 24 with one minute to go.
Enjoy your weekend.
