Splendid effort last week, can we keep it going? No, not my comment on the Consett game, but roughly translated, Mr Woy's view of the England effort against Chile. Should have gone to Specsavers. We hear constant nonsense about the quality of the Premier League, then reality bites when a few twinkle toes from down south come to visit. They did look good though didn't they? Reinforces my suggestion of a major investment on Brazil for next year's World Cup, don't think they would be worrying too much about Chile, just getting themselves organised for next year.
Enough of the world game, let's get back to the real thing. As exclusively revealed by your correspondent last week, all is sunshine and light down at Meadow Park, and even more so after the cracking win against Consett, tails up and no mistake. Will the legendary Ryhope self-destruct gene manage to mess things up? Some disputes over training I hear, so the signs are there, but they usually are. No, let's stay on message and all pulling together will be the hope...
Elsewhere the league is building up nicely, with what looks like a genuine contest developing at the top, with a few clubs fancying their chances, while down in the lower reaches nobody can be taken for granted as everybody beats each other in the battle for mid-table security. All makes for good unpredictable fun, maybe the daft lads weekly predictor scam, sorry, contest of skill and judgement, should be based on the Northern rather than Premier League. Not many bankers there each week, and you don't miss out because of "International Weeks". Don't know how much the denizens of South Hylton club know about Benfield v Shildon mind, or how much they care either way, so maybe not, those lads are making a good contribution each week I hear. All part of the ongoing money raising battle that faces clubs, particularly skint ones in Ryhope who sell everything cheap... And the league seem very happy with their various agendas, secret gadgies and all, while our clubs, minus us of course, march on in the Vase yet again. Glory, glory, did someone say...