Carlton Town 2-1 Heaton Stannington

We've had a super afternoon out at Denaby Main FC, up near Doncaster. It really is one of the great grounds that's enriched by its warm community and investment in youth. We sail down the A1 and A614. There's no time for a real ale at the Old Volunteer. As Ms Moon switches on the TV for the latest gossip on 'Strictly' - let's face it there's been plenty - Sticky Palms leaps into action in the kitchen. I listen to a few indie tunes as I prepare Korean fried chicken, in a gooey sauce. It gets a thumbs up from Ms Moon. It's Paul Merson's footwork that fails to impress the judges on 'Strictly.' 

I fly out of the shop on Monday evening and jump on a 58 bus into town. I don't usually partake in any alcohol prior to a game - even less so on a Monday evening. I grab a little cheeseburger from Five Guys on Long Row and then make the half an hour walk to The City Ground through the Meadows inner city area of Nottingham, where many great footballers grew up.

By 6.30 pm I'm hanging around on the embankment, by the river, at the rear of the Trent End. It's another 30 minutes before the turnstiles open - God knows why they were faffing around so much. I'm a guest of Jonny's, who is with Sonya and their boys Aidan and Elliot.I've plenty of sweets from the shop to keep us fuelled.

I love watching the warm ups - you can learn a lot. There's a shooting drill at the 'keeper which involves the Brazilian shot stopper Carlos Miguel blazing a succession of efforts wide of the target. I'd be interested to see how good the gangly 6' 8" netminder is with his feet when he finally gets his chance.

The Tricky Trees aren't happy with the Premier League following some controversial decisions this season. The Big 'Un (Marinakis) is banished from the stadium for five games after an unsavoury incident in the tunnel where some phlegm ended up on the floor, close to the officials feet, following a 1-0 reverse to Fulham. Manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, has a three match touchline ban and fans' favourite, Morgan Gibbs White, is serving the second game of a two match ban.

A winless Crystal Palace arrive in Nottingham short on confidence and goals. They match NFFC in the first 45 minutes. They are particularly strong in the middle of the park where ex Ram, Will Hughes, (heckled all game) and Eze shine like a beacon. Jonny says at the break that one goal will win this. It comes from in form New Zealand striker Chris Wood, whose effort is helped into the net by Dean Henderson, who is slow to react. It strengthens the case that 'Hendo' is suspect to daisy cutters from distance. Forest are excellent from then on, although Palace do force a couple of great saves from the Belgian, Matz Sels.

I'm down at Carlton Town's Stoke Lane ground on Tuesday evening. It's been a wretched, emotional and sad week for all connected with the Millers. It was announced last Saturday afternoon, prior to the game at AFC Emley, that Club President, Roger Smith had passed away. Roger had held the role for over 20 years and was very popular with the staff, players and supporters at this great Club. Thank you for everything you have done Roger. We all come together, prior to the game, to remember Roger. It's a touching and moving moment.

I'm always pessimistic when a few big game players are missing. Lamin Manneh and Nat Watson are absent this evening. It's 1-1 at the break and has been an excellent advert for Step 4 football. The second half is scrappy and disjointed. A late goal breaks our hearts. Let's see if they have the character to bounce back on Saturday after a miserable week on and off the pitch.

Wednesday afternoon is spent with my backside firmly planted in Seat 9. on Row C. in Screen 4. at Broadway Cinema. The Count of Monte Cristo is a three hour epic. It's about the captain of a ship who is framed for treason. After escaping from prison, 14 years later, he seeks vengeance on the three people who fitted him up. It's a great film, if you get the chance, and yep, there's subtitles - French innit.

Ms Moon kicks off on Wednesday evening when news emerges that 'The Farm' and Corrie have been taken off air and replaced with a women's international football fixture between England and Germany. I inform her that the Germans are 2-0 up after 10 minutes - "I don't give a flying f**k" she replies. Ooh ... touchy.

It's early on Thursday morning and I'm enjoying a full English breakfast at the Hungry Pumpkin with my sparring partner, Tony Mac. Two hours later we are alighting an Avanti West Coast train at Coventry station. Back in 2021 Cov was U.K City of Culture. You can tell the landscape has had a spruce up as we leave the station and head up to the city centre.

Coventry lies on the River Sherbourne and is the tenth largest city in England. Notable people born there include: Lady Godiva, author Lee Child, golfer Laura Davies, sprinter Marlon Devonish, ex Sky Blues manager Bobby Gould, Terry Hall, singer Hazel O'Connor (got to love 'Will You') and finally Carlton Town legend Alan Murphy, who I can categorically state has never mentioned that Coventry City won the FA Cup in 1987 - they nicked Lincoln City's finest ever defender, Trevor Peake. 

I've a couple of CAMRA heritage pubs to tick off. The Old Windmill is on historical Spon Street. As well as the medieval buildings, which somehow survived the bombardment of the German Luftwaffe in the Second World War, there is some impressive street art too.

We stand in awe looking at the spire of the cathedral and the ruins. The area is mobbed with tourists. We chance upon the plaque where Coventry City FC's Highfield Road ground once stood, in Signet Square. I remember one encounter, when on an away day with NFFC back in 1986. Forest lost 1-0. Despite this, the natives were restless. The area around the ground wasn't particularly inviting. We got ambushed by 50 or so of their finest. I broke Roger Bannister's sub four minute mile in a sprint back to the station. Even Marlon Devonish wouldn't have caught me up.

When I think of Cov, The Specials and The Selector immediately spring to mind. We wander up to the 2 Tone Museum and take a trip down memory lane. We finish off in a few more of the fantastic pubs listed in the Good Beer Guide.

I arrive home to find Ms Moon in floods of tears. I look at the TV screen to see a distressed Chesney off Corrie being told by a health inspector, from Weatherfield Council, that there had been several breaches of hygiene whilst that buffoon Kirk was left in charge, for a short while, at Prima Doner kebab shop, and that they were going to issue a closure notice. The Herbert was chopping tomatoes up without wearing protective gloves. There's going to be no 'bab meat and chilli sauce for Schmeichel the Great Dane for a while.

I'm back down Carlton Town on Saturday afternoon. The clouds part and the sun peeps through as I show my season ticket at the gate. I get gassing to 'Dorking Paul' before joining 'Casually Dan' and Nige for a beer and music catch up. We're joined by Max Bailey from Emma's Ground Guide blog.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is at today's game as his brother plays for the Newcastle-based team. The visitors knock the ball about and look organised, but find themselves 1-0 down at the break. Casually Dan plays a Northern Soul set at half time as the crowd catches up on the latest scores.

Cream always rises to the top. Ollie Clark breaks through on goal, he steadies himself before firing the ball home. The visitors deservedly pull one back, but despite intense pressure they can't force home an equaliser.

Man of the Match: Ollie Clark

Attendance: 215

Rest in Peace, Roger Smith x