It’s been well over a week into the football season, and by my standards, I haven’t really blogged much about it. You’ll have read about my trip to Concord Rangers a couple of Saturdays ago. What a disaster that was. While Bath City were losing their opening game in Essex, things weren’t going much better for Leeds in London, who lost 2-0 at Millwall. Hardly a surprise, given the fact they have the less than inspiring manager/coach/dogsbody, David Hockaday – a manager who failed in non-league! Things could only get better, surely?

Well for Leeds, yes they did. The following Tuesday, they hosted Accrington Stanley (yes, yes, I know, “who are they?”) in the cup. Leeds won. Bloody good job too. Had they lost to Accrington, I would probably kill myself, by drowning in a vat of milk. Bath City failed to improve on Saturday. In fact, they got worse! 29 minutes into the game, they found themselves 4-0 down to Basingstoke Town. Like with Accrington Stanley, you could also refer to Basingstoke with the expression “Who are they?” Not because they have been in a milk advert from the 1970’s, but because nobody knows who the fuck they are! We’re not playing Real Madrid. It’s Basingstoke bloody Town! As well as beating the titans of Accrington, Leeds also managed to get a player sent off, for one of the dirtiest challenges I have seen in years. It was practically GBH. I say “practically”, it was. Picture the scene – Accrington player tries to get football. Leeds player sees Accrington player. Jumps about five feet into the air and Kung-Fu kicks Accrington player. Cue a red card. No objections. David Hockaday gave his opinion on the incident post match. He was so appalled, I thought he was going to cry blood. You need to read up on Leeds’ history, Dave. Google “Dirty Leeds”.

The weekend came, with renewed optimism for Bath City and me praying Leeds could win in the league as well as in the cup. The Leeds game was on TV. Hardly a surprise. Anyone with Sky Sports will tell you Leeds had their games televised about 500 times last season. Given my lack of confidence in Mr. Hockaday, I could see nothing but a defeat for a relegation-doomed Leeds. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when new signing Billy Sharp (who I now refer to as “Billy Sharp Sharp Sharp”) scored in the dying minutes of the game. I shouted. Loud. The neighbours probably heard and were startled and disturbed. Their dog, who barks at any person or vehicle passing through the street, probably soiled itself – or died. I hope it didn’t die. The surprising Leeds victory did please me. Being a bitter Leeds fan, however, I will be given zero credit to David Hockaday.

After savouring the Leeds win, it was all down to Twerton Park to watch Bath City (hopefully) do the same and get their first 3 points of the season. The performance was a lot better than the other two games. City got to 29 minutes, without finding themselves 4-0 down. In fact they hadn’t conceded at all. It was just a pity they hadn’t scored either. Half time came and there were still no goals. An ice cream van was parked in the ground. Naturally, ice cream was bought and consumed. Things were looking up. We weren’t losing AND we were eating ice cream! The remainder of the game wasn’t as good. There was no defeat for Bath, nor was there a victory, or any goals for that matter. The entire match was overshadowed by a very nasty looking injury to new signing, Phil Walsh, who, after landing badly, appeared to break his leg or ankle. After a long delay, he was stretchered off. Looking at the sickened reaction of the players who checked on Phil’s wellbeing, it must have been a disgusting fracture. Get well soon, Walshy.

It’s now Tuesday. Bath City have a week or so off, and are not playing again until Bank Holiday Monday. Leeds are not so lucky. The unfortunate, overworked, millionaire footballers have to play this evening. Poor souls. Pray for Leeds.