It's beginning to look like the Kassam is not a place to visit if you want to see a Boro victory. Our third time of asking and the elusive point still evades us! In our three encounters at the three sided stadium the stats read lost three scored three conceded 13. It's a record that being honest flatters the Oxford yellows. The most recent being a 4-0, but the score didn't really reflect the 90 minutes. Even the home fans made the observation that we could have been two up before they hit the opener. We gave away three silly goals but still made Chris Wilder sweat and describe his team as "sloppy". Maybe we will get a chance to lay the Curse of Kassam to rest next season if Oxford are still in our league.

There was a reasonable travelling contingent, and the guys gave a good account on the singing front. Of 3,600 odd, the Boro choir out sung the home fans for quite a time, and the highlight had to be the conga around the away seats. Yes, we were being beaten on the grass, but we took the award for 'trying your hardest to smile in the face of adversity'. Even the stewards overseeing us had smiles on their faces at the all new "Matty Smart's barmy army". One Dan Smith was seen to be applauding from a seat along from us in the stand!

With the final whistle, we made our way back to the bus to find it surrounded by a number of stewards. "One for each of us?", I enquired. The answer was "No, not for you, it's for our nutters!" It seems that one or two home fans indulge in one too many Panda Pops, and get a tad carried away. As we began to leave the car park we had three day-glows walking in front of the bus... had an air of a New Orleans funeral to it! Nice to know we were safe though. Once again, a big thank you goes to the lovely Michelle, senior steward and one of the best reasons to visit!

So, with no points on the Saturday, we soon had the change to rectify matters as we welcomed Hayes and Yeading back to the Lane after a season in different leagues. A big crowd wasn't expected to be honest, and with H and Y only getting 300 or so for home matches, the Priory Lane stands and terraces were never going to be bursting. The simple fact was that we needed a good performance and three points. As the first half developed we looked as if we would get neither. Thankfully, at the end of the 90, we had managed an improved performance, and taken all the points on offer! Phew...... Congratulations to Liam on hitting two corkers. More of the same please!

Not for the first time this campaign, we had yet another case of man-in-black confusion. Is it a simple case that the Conference has fast-tracked morons and given them whistles this season? There certainly seems to be a shortage of competent officials and assistants. It struck me that the guys with the flags simply look at the man in the middle and then wave said implement to confirm what their senior colleague has pointed to. Have they no minds of their own? Not on the evidence put before us. In fact one of the linesmen on Tuesday looked so young, it was questioned from the terracing if he should have been at home doing his schoolwork. I know it's easy to bitch week in week out, but I am not alone in thinking this seasons officials are some of the worst to be appointed.

As mentioned last week, the "Move Along" tee shirts did indeed make an appearance. What began as an off the cuff comment from a fan known only as The Captains Coat, when I walked around stewarding, "Move along, there is nothing to see here" has grown into a bit of a catch phrase aimed at yours truly. A couple of terrace chants have flourished too, so the logical step was tee shirts. I won't bore you with the design etc, just keep an eagle eye out at future matches and you may catch a glimpse of them.

So to Wednesday evening and having seen the football offering on television, the FA Youth Cup offered this fan a much better option than some other team in red, and once again, Shaun and Jonno are putting together a good squad of youngsters. Running out 4-1 winners over Horley, another home tie beckons as the youth of Eastbourne set out on the cup trail which last season took them as far as encountering League club opposition. With the quality of reserve and youth football being offered down the Lane, no self respecting fan can complain they are not being catered for.

Tamworth are visiting next, and they have begun their first season in BSP in fine fashion. Can we dent their progress, and build on the 3-1 win? On our day we can match anyone. We just need to have more days like it.

Now, move along, there is nothing more to see here, until next week!