Exeter (away) Saturday 22 March
The usual tedium of motorway travel was offset by the views afforded by raised sections. We got glimpses of ancient farmsteads through branches bedecked with patient leaf buds. There is one in particular to be seen on the approach to Bristol. It’s half timbered, though no longer thatched, roofed now in gnarled tiles, which must have been state of the art a couple of centuries ago. There was a patchwork of added buildings, tracing time’s passing in their mode of construction, though time like the motorway has passed almost without notice. Back on board the coach, there was plenty of animated conversation, mostly about what could or should have been and now never will be.

The bitter cold did raise the question with regard to one’s sanity and as to why people choose to trek to the North Pole when they could do similar closer to home.

I could feel a grump coming on after paying the conned sum of £1.95 for a cup of hot water and milk masquerading as tea at the services. A few bevvies of the dark stuff restored the equilibrium prior to the kick-off.

For a fair few seasons I have never been able to decide which ground has the worst facilities for visiting fans, York or Exeter. After the diabolical standard shown on Saturday the outright winner has to be Exeter. There was absolutely no provision for refreshments, the service through the fence only coming late on to try to stem the colour shade of blue to which we were slowly turning. I never thought it possible, but the toilets were still standing, defying all health and safety but still sinking into their own morass. As I don't see Exeter getting promotion any time soon, the thought of returning next season does not fill me with any great desire.

I almost forgot to mention the match. During the first half we looked as if it was us in the league's higher echelons. We made the better chances, even allowing for having the wind in our favour.

I don't know if someone poked Exeter with a sharp stick or what, but they did emerge with some degree of urgency in the second semester. It looked very much as if whoever scored first would take the honours. Along came that old déjà vu (again). Exeter player Gill steamed down the right blatantly handling the ball. Even he hesitated for a split second, with the defenders taking a second longer. During that fatal delay awaiting the whistle, a grateful Gill carried on to chip an unlucky MacKenzie. I know I tend to say you make your own luck, but in the last two games we really haven't had that smidgen of good fortune results-wise. Again the effort, though somewhat reduced, was there. Maybe the extreme cold affected the thought process, as at times we appeared to be making it up as we went along.

Creighton was MotM for me. Penn's continuing loss of form is worrying. It makes you wonder if he's looking for a way out, not that he'll be on his own in that respect.

I empathise with one long-standing fan’s lament. The continual slap in the face of defeat tends to get a little tedious, not to mention painful.

It's rare for me but I did read Mark Yates’s post-match comments in which he refers to separating the ‘wheat’ from the ‘chaff’. With all due respect, may I point out that he's been in charge of the ‘mill’ long enough to have sorted out such problems.

I see that our mad carousel of fixtures continues with Rushden, Crawley and Cambridge in close order. Will it never cease? When it does grind to a halt I freely confess I shan't be sorry to step off.

(I wonder how soon I can get my ticket for next season?)


Rushden and Diamonds (home) Monday 24 March
It was a bit of a disappointment, to be honest. I was expecting a bit more of the usual blood ‘n’ thunder we get between us. It was a comfortable enough win. Until Challinor came on they didn't really pose too much of threat. We did play some decent stuff at times, with more across-the-field balance.

Has the real Simon Russell finally turned up? We've certainly waited quite a while. He was MotM for me.

I can't understand what's happened to Penn. He hasn't been up to his usual standard. It's much the same with Bennett. If you remember, Bennett was hailed as the answer to our midfield malady. Years ago (the last century in fact), I played with (if you'll pardon the expression) a former pro-turned-permit player. One of his pearls of wisdom, other than how to cadge fags, was that if you have a loss of form or the old wind and legs were packing up, the trick was to make sure you don't get caught in possession. Play the short pass, nothing long. Don't try to beat players; keep it simple. In short, let your team-mates make the mistakes. It then looks as if you’re doing okay. To my untrained eye, that’s what Deano is attempting and not altogether succeeding at. It’s as if he’s lost his confidence. I want every Harrier player to merit praise. At present, it’s difficult. One worthy of mention is MacKenzie, who gave a faultless display. It just shows how little I do know, as he was not one I rated.

Other than the subzero temperatures, I quite enjoyed it in an odd sort of way. I was relieved to find that once I'd warmed up none of my bits had dropped off. Also, thanks to one fan’s expert tuition, we can all now speak fluent French with an accent (straight from ‘Burningum’). That reminds me, I can confirm that another fan aka Brumkidd and I are going on the stage – the next one out of Kiddy.

Let's hope global warming kicks in before we get to Crawley.


Crawley (away) Thursday 27 March
I was a bit bleary-eyed the morning after but pleased. Even though I was there as part of the 57 fans (henceforth known as the Heinz Group) it was nigh on unbelievable. There was a massive let-off for us early on when they missed an absolute sitter. Within a minute we broke away for the first of Christie’s class double. Maybe it was because we cunningly attacked from the shadows, of which there were plenty, under undoubtedly the worst floodlights in the league. Make no mistake – regardless of what excuses or reasons are trotted out, we totally dominated the game. In a way, we have reached playoff form, unfortunately without actually being there.

Even when we were four up we didn't shut up shop. Of course, extra care was taken to shield substitute keeper Coleman, illustrating a degree of adaptability, even professionalism, not always evident in the past. All played well, and it would be a little unfair to pick a MotM. If pushed, you’d have to nominate Christie. Another worthy of note was Hurren; showing greater awareness, his man-marking was glue-like in its execution.

I felt a little concerned for one Harrier’s acolyte aka Pershore Harrier. Even when we were four up in the 89th minute he worried that Crawley might win. Persh, you could fret for England.

If I were a Cambridge supporter I’d be feeling a tad nervous right now.

It was a nice touch at the end when the whole of the squad came over to applaud the travelling faithful. Regardless of results it really does make the sometimes-considerable efforts made by supporters worthwhile. I know I speak for many others and would like to pass on our sincere thanks to Mark, Neil, Fossie and all of the lads.

By the time this gets on the ether, the Cambridge game will have most probably come and gone. However, it should be in time to prompt memories for the Ebbsfleet match on Tuesday 1 April. Admission prices are reduced, so I hope to see a fair few of you there.

Thanks for your time.