Some lovely pictures of Maria who is so happy and smiley most of the time. However, I did take a few videos too and in the first she is nice and sick for the camera which probably isn't best to post here.

The frogs are in the thick of the action in the pond but they dive under every time you go near. Managed to get a couple of indistinct photos.

What about Argyle!? What about Bristol City? Big game coming up soon.

Bournemouth 3 Eastleigh 1

Glen played in the first competitive match the development centre team has had. They kicked off at midday in a game of three halves, each one 20 minutes long. Not quite mathematical but it meant the boys could be changed round easily given the number of subs as well as be tried in different positions.

I have to say the boy did well. He's been off school for a fortnight with problems resulting from his dietary situation (something with gluten in it has upset his stomach but you don't want to know more than that) and I really wasn't sure what to expect.

Glen began the game up front and had a decent opportunity which was taken off his toe by a fellow forward who span the ball wide of a gaping goal. The team were a goal down at that stage although playing well. Eastleigh have played together for a while and this was Bournemouth's first game together but they were soon level with a goal from Eric, another Rossgarth player.

The win was welcome but Glen did everything that could have been expected of him when in his more familiar position in defence albeit at right back.

Coventry

There is a strong case for arguing the Germans should have been allowed to finish the job but we had a good time in Coventry. I have never enjoyed a ring road as much and look forward to experiencing the joys of traveling clockwise and anti-clockwise without much idea of where I am going in the near future.

Worse though was Nuneaton which is a place I would avoid at all costs, at least at rush hour. It took us an hour to travel 11 miles.

It was good seeing Joe though and we had a good meal together at which we met a lot of Joe's friends who seemed fairly normal. We'd met Zippy before and he had to leave for work pretty sharpish and then there was George, an economist, Sylvan ,from France, Gaz from Grimsby who was an engineer with lots of stories to tell as well as a lad from Yorkshire I would guess but I've forgotten his name and course. He must have been really clever because he only looks about 14 and to be on an accelerated course.

I've put a few photos of Maria on- taken in Travelodge in Nuneaton.

First win away to Saints since I was 0 years old.

Return of the Mac. With new loan signings Russell Anderson and Gary Teale starting and on the bench respectively, it was yet another unfamiliar lineup that made the rearranged journey to St Mary's. The faces may have been new, but it was business as usual for the Pilgrims and their recent impressive form. Argyle saw off the down-on-their-luck Saints in a five minute spell of ruthless punishment, capitalising on their superiority through a Peter Halmosi strike on the half hour, and then, not content with a slender advantage, sealed the points a few minutes later through Jim Paterson. With little threat to the result throughout the second half, the Greens' first win in Southampton in nearly 45 years was greated by a hearty rendition of 'One Paul Sturrock', leaving the sorry Saints to wonder what might have been.

This how it was presented on the Greens on Screen website whilst an unbiased report comes from teacher at school.

You'll be a happy man this evening, though I'm not sure if you were hoping to be at Saint Mary's or not. Saints were as crap as they have been for most of the season, and I felt Plymouth were scarcely troubled to keep their 0-2 lead. Well taken first goal, from good build-up on the left side, with some good interplay (there was a fair bit of that from the visitors even in the second half when they were able to take things a bit easier. Second goal was more a case of well "Let's all watch this one roll gently past a bemused Davis." so they did and it did too. A poor crowd (loads up from the West Country though which surprised us) and even fewer from half-time onwards.

Bit worried that anyone thinks we might make the play offs.

The other chat on the Argyle websites is, now we've won at places we just don't win at, can we get a result at Ashton Gate?

Good point for them Monday in the end.

Horton Tower

The weather at the start of half term has been fantastic although very cold in the early morning with a hard frost the last few days. We took the dogs and Maria out on Saturday afternoon for a pub walk starting at Drusilla's at Horton. The walk took us close to the Horton Tower which is now used to house telephone equipment providing mobile coverage.

There were plenty of lambs about already and doubtless destined for market soon!

The walk was full of lovely scenery but the way was blocked frequently by electric fences, barbed wire and poor signposting which meant getting the dogs and Maria in a pushchair was not easy. I eventually ended up with the dogs and Maria and managed to overcome the obstacles on my own as the others, Robin, Joy, Sandra and Alison searched for the right route. Cue smug sensation.

Rossgarth win

On a beautifully sunny afternoon but still cold conditions, Glen's team did well to win 7 - 3 in a mixed performance. They really should have won even more convincingly but were happy to record a fourth win of the campaign.

They started well with a penalty early on but then conceded two quick goals. This after we'd rushed to get to the game. It was an early kick off but Glen had said 2.00 as usual. As Rossgarth were without their top scorer, it looked like quite a challenge ahead but a first half hat trick from Jacob meant they went in 5 - 3 up and destined for even better things in the second half.

It was massive let down though in the following period with neither side looking particularly good. Glen had little to do but played well when involved as their attacks dwindled completely. It took a disputed goal to liven things up as a cross floated over the keeper and in. However, the net was full of holes (larger than usual before anyone points out this is always the case) and the ball ran out of the side netting making it look like it had gone over. The ref gave the goal and that was the cue for lots of argument on the sidelines.

The return game should be interesting - comes about next week away at Shaftsbury.

Before that Glen has his first game for the development team at Eastleigh on Thursday. That should be interesting.

Oh no - 3 - 0 up and we still lost!!!

It was a particularly frustrating game last week with things going so well at one point only for stamina to tell and leave us bereft of reward once again.

It was a bare bones 7 again with Matt I possibly retiring married and Spanish Dave living La Vida Loca somewhere on Bedfordshire. Adam played again making his second appearance and bringing that indefinable quality of experience and calm to the team. He looked to be strolling around the pitch with the air of nonchalance more commonly associated with a World Cup winner which was soon revealed to be a pull on his hamstring which immobilised him somewhat. It soon changed though as he tweaked the other one too and went from immobile to statuesque in one feel swoop.

That he looked like Dougie by then can only be said because the big fella had himself got a bit of ankle knack and Iscape collapsed like a pack of cards neatly stacked on high in the face of an oncoming hurricane, the likes of which even Michael Fish could sense coming.

It had all looked so good when our one and only move came off. It used to be long throws but now it's corners and Kevin smacked the ball in low and hard for Matty Coombes to sprint to the near post and turn in with ease. Better was to follow with a replay of the first goal falling to me at the near post just without the sprinting part. Incredibly we were soon three up against opposition who had experienced defeat in just one game. A through ball fell to my left foot and astonishingly, despite aiming for the bottom corner, it went there. I'd expected a goal kick at best, a throw at worst but there is nestled in the old onion bag.

Then we lost.

I'm not sure any of the goals we conceded were that bad. I'm not sure there was a lot we could with no subs and plenty of injuries. Sad to say that is the way things are going at present. The manager did not add to the squad during January and is paying the price now. Questions are being openly asked now about how long he can keep his place in the hot seat. Sadly it is Kevin asking because no one else wants to do it! We need an American investor or even someone from Northern Rock. Look what they've done for Newcastle. Oh! I see that doesn't quite work does it.

Mind you the week couldn't get worse from a footballing perspective - unless you support Saints. Oh! I forgot. Sorry Kev, sorry Dom. Still Bristol are above you in the league - oh! That would be City not Rovers.

Lets see who's crying after Tuesday though.

Good luck to City on TV tomorrow.

Defeated but resilient

Iscape enjoyed a relatively dry game of football last night in the sad knowledge that our sponsor, Spanish Dave, has headed back to sunnier climes for a large part of each week and will not therefore be available for Monday nights forthwith. That just shows what a lure Bedford is. It is something of a hotbed of riotous fun and excitement and Dave could not resist. In contrast Dougie just has to grin and bear it as he flies off to New Jersey, Texas and California but someone has to do it.

The struggle for a side each week continued and we were delighted to be joined by the irrepressible Adam who had previously indicated a desire not to play competitive football even against 12 year olds. However, he made it unscathed through the entire match which saw some fine performances all round as we played probably the best team in the division.

Nick played excellently in goal as usual with some terrific diving stops at the feet of the oncoming strikers, Dom was his usual steady self with foraging runs almost leading to a couple of goals, Dougie returning after a six week break and showing few signs of a Christmas hangover as he marshalled the defence. There was Kev marauding along the front and delivering quality set pieces from throw ins and corners and Matt the glue binding the various elements of the team together.

It was a nice surprise when we took the lead with a low, fiercely struck corner being turned in by Matt at the near post. Another of Kevin's corners almost led to a second goal but the keeper clawed Matt's flick away. We didn't even get the corner! And Gary was reffing!!

The equalizer came from a good strike which was well saved but the rebound feel to an attacker who had the simple task of tapping in from a yard. That was the score until well into the second half and we were doing well. There were chances too with Adam getting forward and Dom being caught in two minds when well placed. There was comedy too when Dougie took a quick free kick to launch to me in the opposition area but struck one of their players and a chance ensued. The goal was not long in coming and it was down to me to be honest. I lost the ball trying to nutmeg the defender and in my defence it was down at the opposition's area. Sadly we'd over committed and a stretched defence was breached in a sharp counter attack.

From then on their confidence grew and we tired. My favourite moment was making them laugh when I accused them of growing tired as they were having to walk the ball in. We lost a couple of goals like that but there was no disgrace in losing 4 - 1.

The evening was rounded off well with record numbers attending the post match press conferences in the pub after the game. I think everyone went down for a change with the exception of Nick who was playing again later. I'm willing to bet he made it down later.

Rossgarth draw

It was a bitterly cold afternoon for the game yesterday but the action made up for it with Rossgarth managing a 4 - 4 draw. This was against a team who they had lost 9 -0 to earlier in the season which signifies just how far they have come lately.

The strong wind meant turning round just 2 - 1 down was good and the equalizer soon came. Despite dominating there was a goal against the run of play which put us 3 - 2 down with 10 minutes to go. However, two quick goals from Eric gave a 4 - 3 lead which was cancelled out with a couple of minutes to go by a superb strike on the volley from outside the area. It was a fair result although Rossgarth shaded possession and chances. A point was more than welcome.

On a completely different note, I noticed the name of an ex student today in the local paper. First person I was ever responsible for permanently excluding was sentenced for assault on Friday. I can't say it came as a surprise to see his name or previous history.

More photos of Maria

The photos are from Alison's trip to Plymouth when she stayed with Bridie.

Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Saints from last month which ended in a 1 - 1 draw. Bridie and I went with Lewis and Paul. Good game in actual fact with Argyle deserving the 3 points. It's all been downhill since then though and we are losing touch with the play offs. There are a few kids from school in the photo of the Saints fans. One of them came down in a green and white jacket - forgot what colours Plymouth played in.