The village of Nailsworth and the trip to The New Lawn didn’t disappoint. For once the motorway Gods had smiled on us. Well when I say smiled; I think someone up “there” was having a good laugh at the travelling Boro contingent. With the defeat on Tuesday night still fresh, we left Eastbourne with the intent of erasing the memories our cup exploits. Two hours into the journey and a comfort stop was in order. Small comfort for us though! I guess the only way to describe what awaited us is to re-work those classic lines from Casablanca. “Of all the motorway services in all the towns in all the world, they park in ours.”

Yes, a coach full of Tooting and Mitcham fans en-route to their match. Once again, it highlighted the good side of non-league football that we could stand around drinking coffee and sharing a joke. At one point, a small group of Boro fans that were already in the services, chirped up “If you all going to Stockport, clap your hands” With our respective breaks over, we wished each other well, and continued to Gloucestershire.

A warm welcome awaited us at Forest Green Rovers and the cottage pies lived up to expectations. Everything about our hosts gets a tick of approval. From the friendly atmosphere in the clubhouse to the stewards and the police on duty, it was impossible to fault any aspect of the day out. 37 of us was the official away attendance and we certainly let FGR know we were there. I have often wondered just how much of the chanting players actually hear. Well, proof came that day in many forms. The Facebook group “Matty Smart's Barmy Army” were treated to seeing their 'idol' doing his now famous press up routine after the chants of “Smarty do the press ups” rang out. Press ups with clapping in between each were met with rapturous applause and all done with a smile on his face!

I must also explain to any present just why we sang “he only had one bite” just prior to kick off. Miles Bassett, he of the Supporters Club committee, and one time Airfix Kit test pilot, put his chips down whilst retrieving a wayward football. Little did he know another was zooming its way towards him and hit a bullseye sending the aforementioned snack skywards! It's priceless moments like this that puts the smile back on a supporter's face!

With the first team having no match until next week, the reserves once again filled the void for us poor souls that cannot go more than a few days without live action. Crawley took the short hop across the border form the other part of Sussex. For the second week in a row, the crowd at the Lane were treated to a midweek goal fest! Seven times the net rippled and the end result was that Crawley's first team - sorry “reserves” - ran out 5-2 victors. Despite the final score, it was an entertaining game to watch, and one Joseph Benjamin took to the pitch in the red No.11 shirt for a trialist role. Many agreed he gave a very good account. Will we see him donning the colours again? Garry, over to you!

With the visit of the Broadfield Posse comes the added attraction of Messrs Evans and Raynor, a touchline double act of some notoriety. Well, I have to admit, right here and now, that PR was a model example of how to act in the technical area. SE sat in the stands, very close to a certain SK, another man that likes his touchline rants. Being early November, one could have imagined a “light blue touch paper and retire” scenario! The linesman gave us all a few chuckles, when failing to spot Michael Jordan carry the ball a good 18 inches outside the penalty area and missing the ball cross the sideline a few times. Paul Raynor and our own Shaun Harper just looked at each in disbelief and burst out laughing.

Thanks too go to Simon Rayner, who sitting on the away bench as back-up keeper carried on an entertaining exchange with me during the game. His main gripe was the dug out had no windows and it was a bit drafty in there. I did try to block the breeze a bit! When the Crawley keeper appeared injured, poor Simon thought he was getting called into action with 12 minutes to go. When the danger had passed, I joked with him that surely he didn’t want to get cold and wet for the sake of 12 minutes... He laughed in agreement.

So with a memo to our main sponsors I will close this week’s diary. Best Demolition. Can you keep an eye out for a couple of two feet by two feet double glazed windows next time you flatten somewhere? Installation for early January perhaps, just after Creepy pays us another visit!