This time seven days ago I was looking forward to a weekend of cup football. Little did I realise, that we would in fact be treated, and I use that word reservedly, to not one but two cup ties. My day started earlier than usual on an away day with driving the team coach instead of the fans' bus and, with hindsight, I should have kept to my normal matchday routine. More of that later. The weather as we left Sussex was dire, and one or two fans even texted me to report back if the game was in doubt. The arrival in south London was a warm and nearly sunny. There was no risk of the match being off...

With Tooting and Mitcham on a roll in Ryman and Boro wobbling in BSP, the scene was set for an intriguing game of football. At the end of the 90 we fans, on both sides had been put through the emotional wringer by the 11 representatives of our respective colours. The stripes of T and M with one minute to go, were dancing a merry jig of victory. The light blue of the south coast were too busy examining their chins for cuts and bruises from when they hit the floor as the third goal hit the back of the Eastbourne net. In less time than it takes to boil a nicely firm, and not quite runny egg, the rollercoaster had swung 180 degrees and it was level pegs! I think the only word to sum up the feelings of all 687 in the ground is disbelief.

Well, if Imperial Fields hadn’t given us enough thrills and spills for one day, then the beloved A27 was to offer a chosen few a bit of extra curricula shenanigans. I can safely report back to the Highways Agency that the road safety improvements you installed at Glynde are, to say the least rather ineffective, although the slight widening of said turn off did give me enough room to "off-road" a 12 tonne coach, testing the solid build of a traffic island, check the firmness of the grass and bounce around a bit! I would like to thank the moron, who no doubt had probably spent a nice afternoon being chirped at by the Opera, thought it a spiffing idea to brake test a bus!!! I won't dwell any longer on this, other than to say, and this is by no means a medical opinion, but Nathan's heart came through a rather unorthodox test that evening!

Sunday, 1pm, ITV and ball 79 came out. Stockport County away was the reward for the replay. If we thought the Saturday game had it all, then we were oh so wrong. With one more goal than the weekend's six, a couple of very hotly contested spot kicks, and two red cards, both aimed at Boro players, it was the visitors from Morden that took the prize for the first round proper. I never have like the outskirts of Manchester anyway! Although the crowd was not a record one, there was a certain electricity in the air, and emotions ran at what could possibly be the highest I have experienced at The Lane. Our woodwork was stress tested a couple of times, and as 90 drew to a close the tea bar girls wondered if they would get overtime rates!

The additional 30 minutes saw the game change dramatically, with the man in black the centre of attention.

I know I have griped in the past about our friends in the middle but this surely has to be one of the most influential whistle blowers to have taken to our grass. The facts and figures have been widely discussed over the past few days, and whether the decisions were correct or not, it put the boys in Red in a position of no return. To their credit, and despite being reduced to ten men, as on Saturday the heads didn’t drop and they pulled one back. The second red card though was a bridge too far, and on 120 minutes, the referee brought the evening to a close.

I would be lying if I said the home fans took this defeat in good spirits. Was it the fact that we had been knocked out by a lower league team that hurt. Was it the thought of the financial rewards that had slipped though our fingers? One thing is sure. It certainly brought out "fans forum" activity as never seen before. A lot was discussed in the heat of the moment and then more productive comments followed after 12 hours of calm reflections. The two games with Tooting induced so many emotions and it could be said some overspilled the level considered acceptable. Passion is in every football fan's heart. Let’s keep it real and use it to the benefit of our team. We are lucky to have a wide range of ages that follow the lads and we must also remember that the youth on the terraces are the future season ticket holders. Wear the "Martello" with pride but we must always keep in mind the Borough ethos!

The picturesque New Lawn awaits us on Saturday, Lasagne and Cottage Pies having replaced last seasons offerings of Bangers and Mash. Oh, and a small matter of a football match too..... I know some of the faithful are already planning the journey. Are we frustrated? Oh yes. Down hearted? A bit... Giving in.... No way!! We love this club too much!!!!