Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 13 January 2012

13 January 2012

Just a quick 'un from your original/regular Diary today, before I nip out on urgent lunchtime business. Some friends of ours had a baby last night, and down the years I've tended to find that those heads just don't wet themselves.

Town don't have a league game tomorrow, which is probably for the best in many ways. Many folk on messageboards are fond of describing any mediocre goalless draw against Mansfield as the worst game they've seen. And the Mariners' current good run of form has taken them to the other extreme. For some supporters, the issue is whether it will be this season or next when GTFC are promoted. For others, the issue is whether, once that 100 per cent inevitable promotion is achieved, we'll go straight up again to the third division.

No, I wish I was making it up. So when Hornchurch visit Blundell Park in the FA Trophy tomorrow, it'll be a good chance for some folk to calm down and rest a little. This extends to Craig Disley, who's been playing through an ankle injury for ages. If Frankie Artus moves into central midfield tomorrow to replace him, then perhaps it's time to give Serge Makofo a little run-out along the left flank. I know it's been nice seeing Town actually being any good for the last few weeks, but I miss Serge and his occasionally thrilling, often side-splitting, but always honest wing play. And he ought to run amok against an Isthmian League defence. It'll probably be that McCarthy though, won't it? Ian Miller, like that double-barrelled London kid, is cup-tied, so Shaun Pearson will probably come back into defence.

Two more comic gems for you in the run-up to tomorrow's match. In a delightful preview on the FA's website, Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane says: "I'm sure Grimsby will be lovely." It's a shame he's just talking about the Blundell Park grass. And who says he just wants to "go about our business quietly"? Why, Rob 'Shouty' Scott, of course.

That'll have to be all for now. If you're going tomorrow, have a good time, and give Basil and Cliff an extra clap for those who are absent. See yer.