So, after being taken to penalties by Woking, up next were the mighty FC United of Manchester of the Evo stick Northern League (Division 8).

You’d expect that to be a comfortable victory then?

Well, no actually. Like the Woking game, lots of pressure meant few efforts on goal. Although Ashley Barnes was guilty of a couple of his now trademark squandering of a couple of good chances in the first half, and sub Fran Sandaza missed a few before finally turning in a header from Assistant manager Mauricio ‘Tano’ Tarrico. However, another fluffed penalty by Elliott Bennett means another match in front of the camera’s at Gigg Lane next Wednesday. And now February’s game against Plymouth has been scheduled on Sky, we’ll have been on television a whopping 4 times in one season. A record for us surely?

Anyway, an obvious highlight of the fairly dire and certainly bloody freezing FCUM match were the fans. We’re not quite sure if they are fans of THE Manchester United or not (singing about Eric Cantona seemed a little strange?), but they were certainly the best supporters ever seen at Withdean, singing non stop for 90 minutes at a volume that surely quashes the myth that atmosphere at Withdean isn’t possible. Actually, in the unlikely event that any of their fans read this, we should probably mention that their team, and in particular defence and keeper played brilliantly and fully deserved their point. The goal was well taken too, scored by Nicky Platt – cue a hundred witty Albion supporters suggesting he might be related to Gail and Martin…

The main talking point though was Gus Poyet, as often seems to be the case lately. He’s publically flamed the fans who booed at half time, and threatened that “he can get fed up” as well. Well, that’s fine Gus, we’re DELIGHTED at being top of the league, and we love your brand of football. But don’t forget their are people paying to watch the team in cup games, wasting time in the freezing cold that could be spent elsewhere, and money that could be spent on Christmas presents. So while booing probably isn’t the way forward, you’ve got to be able to accept criticism when you struggle to beat a bunch of semi pro’s for the third match running.

Oh well, let’s hope things pick up in the league, after the second half at Saints showed so much promise…