Well, what a seven days I have had! Saturday of course hailed the visit of Cambridge United, a club that last year had the audacity to take all six points off us but were arguably the best team we played either home or away. You don't get into the play-offs two seasons in a row unless you have quality. On that basis and our recent form, one could have feared a blitz, but once again we seemed to rise to the occasion of the big club visiting and gave a very competent display.

The weather played its wicked part again, with several short sharp downpours making it unpleasant for the players out on the pitch. For only the third game of the campaign Simon Johnson got the nod to start and not only completed the full 90 but deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match award. Cambridge came to us with a rather depleted squad with illness and injury having taken its toll, and I was rather relieved to see one of their danger men on the bench to begin with.

In fact it wasn't until the 71st minute that Cambridge threw on one Chris Hemorrhoid, oops sorry, Holdroyd, although the Amber and Black striker is a pain in the bottom! Luckily he was to have little effect and the Sports managed yet another draw, but more importantly held one of the pre-season favourites.

That referee curse hit yet again, when the man in the middle had to hobble off and become the fourth official. There was confusion all around when he blew his whistle to stop play and call his assistants over. The whole ground entered into a chant of "what the heck is going on". Well I think they sang "heck" It also appears that this is the secnd time this season the same poor soul sustained an injury whilst officiating at The Lane!

Saturday night saw the players unwind and have their festive bash in Brighton. Fancy dress was order of the evening and what a motley crew they looked. I had the dubious pleasure of transporting them there and back but I can safely report all were impeccably behaved and had me in stitches! There was a moment of concern when a goalkeeper that shall remain annonymous was briefly lost on Brighton seafront wearing a very smart looking suit. Well it appeared very smart from the front but the rear view came as a shock... stockings suspenders and silky black ladies knickers. As I said, the keeper will remain nameless, but at over 6ft tall and with black hair, he was an imposing sight!

With a cast including Captain America, Scooby Doo, Superman, Batman and a certain number 11 with hair so big he resembled a blackcurrant lollipop, a good night was had by all, and it shows what a great team spirit there is among the lads.

With the heavens throwing down yet more gallons of water on Monday, there was a serious danger of the reserve tie at Leyton Orient being washed out but thankfully the rain subsided and we awoke to a sunny Tuesday morning, and the text came through. Game on! A good run up and through the Blackwall Tunnel took us past the continually growing Olympic Village that is beginning to dominate the skyline of East London. We were greeted at Brisbane Road by a very helpful man in his Orient fleece, and soon had the coach parked right outside the ground. On chatting to the safety officer, it seems that it is not just a football stadium that nestles in the streets of E10. Built into the side of the main stand is a clinic that boasts 31 doctors' surgeries and its own operating theatres. I bet there aren't many football grounds that can lay claim to such facilities!

With no turnstiles open, we were greeted by a very nice smiling young lady in reception and directed to the second floor where a fabulous bar awaited us all. As kick off approached, it was through a door from the bar, direct into the seats. Sufferers of vertigo would have had a shock as the seats were beautifully laid out, but boy was it high! Our backsides were also treated to the comfort of padded seats. Yes, this was the executive area, and very nice too.

On the pitch, Shaun's boys gave yet another fine display, and to be honest the score line of 4-2 to the O's was flattering. Not for the first time in the Totesport Combination, the standard of refereeing was a breath of fresh air, and the only slip up was when the penalty was awarded. Even the fans of the home team were heard to mutter that it was a freak handball and certainly not a deliberate attempt to deceive. All in all it is nice to see the man in the middle officiate with a smile on his face, and to see both sets of players enjoying themselves.

News also broke on Monday, that Joe Benjamin had been re-called to Northampton Town, as injuries had left his parent club short of fit midfielders. In the month Joe was with us, he made an impact and put in some very strong performances. I wish him well in the future, and hope he goes on to bigger things. We can all look back and say "I remember him when he wore the red and black of The Boro".

We have a welcome break from the pressures of BSP with a trip to Welling United in the Trophy come Saturday. Fingers crossed we will prove to be the stronger squad and come back having progressed to round two without the need for a replay. Until next week....