Oatcakes, Lobby & Vale: The Holy Trinity

Oatcakes with cheese, Lobby with crusty bread and a 2-0 win over a devious and dismal Accrington Stanley to take us to our rightful place at the top of the league. Does life actually get better than this?

How utterly astounding was Marc Richards' goal? I was sat in The Bycars and was convinced it was going to blaze wildly above my head! Astonishing goal! And the second was quality as well, Jemal Johnson showing us some skill and pace before playing the perfect ball into the path of Louis Dodds for a calm and composed finish.

Justin Richards should have helped himself to a couple before half-time, but went a bit 'Akpo' with his finishing. No matter, two goals against a side that had conceded just one in their previous seven games is proof of our new found cutting edge.

Just a word about Accrington Stanley. The first half hour they were horrible to watch, and it's little wonder that hardly any fans bothered to travel down from Lancashire if this is what they're having to put up with. Up until the point we took the lead Stanley were incredibly negative, time wasting at every given opportunity, conning free-kicks from a desperately poor referee, little ambition in going forward.

And yet, in the second half when they did come out to try and give us a game they were actually a half decent side, kept possession well and played the ball around nicely. They might actually win a few games if they adopt the attitude they had in the second half straight from the first whistle.

Anyway, the Oatcakes came courtsey of 'Hamil Road Oatcakes' - £1.56 for two with cheese, the Lobby courtesy of 'The Lunchbox' on Hamil Road - previously the Strawberry Cafe - £2.20 for a bowl with crusty bread.

Tuesday night and Shrewsbury Town could be a little bit special...

Giving Up The Ciggies

A packet of Lambert & Butler, yesterday.

You do these things with all the best intentions in mind. Not only am I giving up smoking but I am also giving up caffeine, all this because I'll turn 40 in six days time and felt the need to make some kind of gesture towards preserving my health. I'm 22 hours into this self-abusive punishment.

It's amazing. What would I give right now for a cigarette and a cup of coffee. Sitting here with a mug of 'green tea' trying to keep busy, to keep my mind away from thoughts of cigarettes and lovely coffee. Is it all worth it? Is it worth putting myself through this right now when I know very well that I am going to ultimately 'give up' with my efforts. I mean, Jesus, I'm going to be 40 on Friday, am I really going to deny myself a ciggie on me birthday? Or a cup of coffee even? No, of course I'm not.

Great win for Vale yesterday at Macclesfield. Second in the table now, joint leaders really - same points as Shrewsbury, it's just 'goals scored' that divides us. Accrington Stanley are coming next Saturday, and although they seem to be doing alright we have to beat them. Accy Stan are precisely the kind of team we need to be hammering at Vale Park.

Then next up it's Shrewsbury Town at Vale Park - Tuesday 28th September - should be an amazing game! And I won't be there... Can't really make midweek games 'cos of work and travel.

Sterilised Milk & Three Points At Home

Sterilised milk. Don't often see it outside of the Stoke-On-Trent area these days do you? Actually I'm struggling to think of anywhere I've seen Sterilised milk outside of S-O-T, and I've seen pretty much all of our green and pleasant land. It's very much a nostalgia thing for me, reminds me of been at me Nan's house when I was a kid, and the countless holidays at me Nan's Caravan near Rhyl. A big fan of sterilised milk was me Nan.

Anyway, yesterdays game. Vale 1 Aldershot 0. Four wins from the first six games, and we have a home win to celebrate. Big shout out has to go out to Gary Roberts for his awesome display in midfield, and his fantastic winner - although The Football League Show tried to spoil it somewhat by pointing out that it took a deflection on it's way past the keeper, something that wasn't apparent to me sat in The Bycar's. Great news that Roberts has had an extension to his contract, he is a real joy to watch - when did we last have a midfielder at Vale Park who could do what Roberts can, namely; control the ball, look up, pick a pass. Doesn't sound like to much does it? The basic tools of the central midfielder, but in this league players of this calibre are few and far between.

And consider this: Robin Hulbert, Paul Harsley, Craig Rocastle, David Howland, Scott Brown, Neil Mackenzie. This is what we've had to suffer over recent years. I might mention Tommy Fraser, but perhaps that would be a little unkind - I could even annoy people and mention Anthony Griffith, yes - I love his 'action man' style and love to see a bit of old skool 'getting stuck in', but he struggles with the ball at his feet, when have we seen a defence splitting pass during Griff's time at Vale Park? Roberts is a gem.

It's creamier than pasturised milk, and still comes in a bottle with a proper bottle top. I really like it in coffee.

Pot Noodle Doner Kebab

Pot Noodle Doner Kebab! What the fuck is going on? Of course I had to try it, had to satisfy my curiosity, and believe me it truly is rock fucking bottom! Not surprisingly it bears absolutley no resemblance (in appearance or taste) to the Mighty Doner Kebab.

Ashonishingly bad.