Stapleford Town 2-1 Retford United

It's Saturday 8th Feb and I'm sitting on the Matlock to Nottingham train with Carlton fan Pete Shearstone. We're travelling back from one of the great away days. The Mighty Millers have played Belper Town off the park. After endless high fives and fist pumps in the Nailers clubhouse the party continues at Lincoln Green's The Railway, which is up on King Street.

Pete and I chatter away on the short journey home. He's such a lovely bloke, who has a passion for Scottish football too. We while away the journey reminiscing about trips to our favourite grounds north of the border. I'm back up there at the fag end of April, on tour with Tony Mac, when we will be taking in a Partick Thistle game.

The party breaks up at Nottingham station. A few supporters drift into town or down to Castle Rock's Barley Twist on Carrington Street. Six pints, on the day, is more than enough for me. I book an UBER back up to Chez Palms. Ms Moon is settled in for the evening. Through gritted teeth I watch shouty Michael McIntyre. I hit the wooden hill halfway through Lee Mack's 1% Club - I was being a bit mardy as Ms Moon's IQ is higher than mine - then again so was Murphy's, my old budgie.

I'm on Media duties over the next few days. Ms Moon suggests that I relax on my return home on Tuesday evening when ITN News is switched on. Readers last week may remember my fit of pique when fake weathercaster - yep that's what they are called nowadays - Alex Beresford appeared on our screens from a botanical garden in Sussex, instead of toughing it out on top of Beachy Head.

Beresford is on annual leave this week, probably in sunnier climes. It doesn't stop my blood pressure from rising when that pillock Robert Peston suddenly pops up. This guy proper grinds my gears. He emphasises syllables in every sentence. I pop a BP pill and venture out to the Old Volunteer, Carlton's finest watering hole for a couple of jars, where they have gorgeous ales on from Liquid Light (Sneinton) and Bang the Elephant (Langley Mill).

It's 5pm on Wednesday evening and I've just knocked off from an afternoon shift at the shop. I'm feeling quite proud of myself as I actually walked to work this morning. It's only just over 4 miles but it's equivalent to climbing the north face of Everest when negotiating Carlton to Mapperley via Cavendish Road or Westdale Lane.

I'm shoehorned into an upstairs seat into what many consider to be the finest pizzeria in Nottingham. Slice n Brew is on the corner of Kings Walk. I plump for a thin crust Soppressata Salami, accompanied by hot honey and a truffle and parmesan dip. I quite easily could have had a half an hour nap after wolfing it down, but I've a ticket for the cinema.

I clocked a trailer for a movie called September 5, the last time I was at Broadway cinema. It's set in the Olympic village during the Munich Games in 1972. The ABC American sports broadcasting team find themselves filming a hostage siege live on air. A number of Israeli athletes were taken hostage by a Palestine terrorist organisation. The viewing figures, at one point, were higher than when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. It has a 95 minute running time and is definitely one for the notebook. Madonna's old flame, Sean Penn, is one of the producers.

I'm down at Sneinton Market on Friday morning. To be more precise I'm in the barber's chair at Mr Eko's, 'Nottingham Covent Gardens' number one Bosnian Barber. He'd had a couple of vodka shots the last time I had a trim. I mention that I didn't think he was at his best on that occasion - he says he will forgive me for my comment, but won't forget it ..lol.

I wander down Stoney Street and turn off onto the steps that lead you to Fletchers Restaurant and Nottingham College. I've booked a £4 return ticket to Long Eaton. I alight at Attenborough and make the 45 minute walk out of the village and onto the A6005 towards the town centre.

Lincoln Green refurbished the old Harrington Arms in 2019, and reopened it as the Mill and Brook, to reflect the town's contribution to the lace industry back in the day. I enjoy a pint of Porter whilst having a warm, as it's bitterly cold today.

I sit and read Martin Kelner's hilarious book called 'Wrestling in Honey.' It's a nostalgic look at some of the columns he wrote for The Guardian. He mentions a documentary he watched which involved the athletes Zola Budd and Mary Decker. Arnold's favourite paper, the Daily Mail, sponsored the bare-footed South African Budd, during apartheid, to the tune of £100,000 (her Dad pocketed £80,000 of it). The paper campaigned for her to be granted British citizenship. It all ended in tears when Budd 'accidentally' tripped up the USA track darling, Decker, at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. 

I wander down the canal, passing the Barge Inn, as I head towards the village of Sawley. I stand and admire the stunning War Memorial before popping into the White Lion, which not only serves Bass, but is also another Good Beer Guide tick off.

I fight my way through the rush hour traffic back in Nottingham. It's date night, and not only that, it's Valentine's Day. And boy do I have a treat for Ms Moon. You can't beat a £4.39 round for two at Carlton 'Spoons. The Loch Lomond 'Lost in Mosaic' is a beauty. We both can't be bothered to cook, so the good lady has bought a 'Valentine's Meal Deal' from Marks and Sparks. We have a chuckle at Gogglebox over a glass of wine.

It's Saturday morning and Ms Moon is about to jump into a cab to the train station, with her daughter, Becky. They're off to Manchester for the weekend to see James Blunt - I've already sent my condolences. I'm excited as the Mighty Millers are taking on Emley. Well I was until I scrolled down my twitter timeline to see the words 'GAME OFF.'

I pin it on Faggsy to pick a game to go to. He fancies Stapleford Town v Retford United. I enjoy a bacon sandwich as I watch an hour of Leicester v Arsenal. The Gunners over do it; passing the ball to death. I switch off and head to town where I catch a tram to Radford from outside the Royal Centre.

I walk through Asda car park and cross the tram tracks on Radford Road before turning left at Chappati Junction. I've enjoyed watching Stapleford this season. They have a resilience about them and a team spirit. They seem like a good bunch of lads, who have taken to Step 6 like a duck to water. Today Michael Robb makes his 150th appearance for the club.

I had a ten minute abusive phone call from Radford Director of Football Big Glenn Russell this morning. I was hoping he'd be gracing us with his presence, but he's gone all soppy since announcing his engagement and has gone out on a couples cocktail day with his fiance, 

DJ Murph has joined us. Retford have brought a large following, like they did at Gedling earlier in the season. They enjoy the lion's share of possession, but go behind when Upo's lad blasts a spot kick home after 15 minutes. The visitors are on level terms before half-time. Earlier in the game blog legend Ian Upton had appealed to the referee for a handball when it was actually the keeper that had caught it .. lol.

The players begin to tire in the second half as running on the heavy surface takes its toll. Stapleford are always in the game. They score the winner in stoppage time to break the hearts of the travelling support. Jared Russell and Alans Voskresenskis have worked their socks off. The latter has ploughed a lone furrow. He's neat, tidy and busy. 

Attendance: 103

Man of the Match: Alans Voskresenskis

Beer of the Week: Tell Me How The Sausage Is Made, Bang the Elephant

Song of the Week: Bambara - Letters to Sing Sing