“Five games in and we’re second! The UU Accies are actually second…in Division 5! Bloody hell, what went wrong, or right, depending on your perspective. I looked over all the other teams as the season started and thought there were no out-and-out favourites for this Division so I knew we were in with a shout of surviving for a full season but some results have really surprised me. For me all the teams in this Division are capable of taking points off any other so I am surprised, not only by some results, but by current league standings.

"We got off to a good start winning our first game, at home, against Bare FC but were stung 5 – 3 against VDT in our second league outing. What a match that was and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. We gave our all in that one but Golf had his squad at their best and they were just too strong for us on the day. We’ll get them in the return.

"We got back on track with a nice 3 – 1 win over OAP before the two surprise results that really give us some belief this season. The Rangers travelled to the Sink for round 4 and we turned them over 4 – 0! Talk about a shock. I thought if we kept it tight we could sneak it 1 – 0. Have you seen Pink’s squad? And he has Stuart MacConich playing for him, one of the two standout players in this Division. So, I have to say the result was great for us and the goals a real bonus.

"Then we managed to match that score line at Striker Stadium last weekend! That one got me the Manager of the Round and five of my boys in the XP team for that week. Astonishing! With the intelligence of his team Alan has a squad that should be hard to beat but one win in five tells a different story. Our result came on the back of 6 - 2 drubbing by VDT in round 4. That’s hard to take but Alan will get his squad facing the right direction before long.

"VDT, who have been going great guns so far this season, surprisingly (?) were cuffed 3 – 0 by Launderette Loiterers last time out. That defeat allowed Spectra and ourselves the opportunity to move up to 1st and 2nd respectively. We have Launderette Loiterers next in the league for us before the double header with Spectra. So, that is 4 seriously tough league matches in succession for us over the next 4 weeks. That will make or break our season.

"In between times we’ve played 5 Cup games so far, banging in 14 goals without reply. The last game against 2.FC MadCologne was a goalless draw at their manor. So that’s 14 goals in 4 games. Not bad going at any level. The return is nicely balanced as they are a real tough team so I am unsure how to play the return. We’re at home but an away goal would clinch it for them. Oh well, just need to play our normal game and hope for the best.

"The pain in the arse this season has been the number of injuries we’ve had! I don’t care if I sound like a broken record it’s bloody ridiculous: over the first 7 matches played UU Accies suffered 3 red cross serious and 5 light injuries. That’s 8 in total from 7 matches! In the 8th game we had another light injury! What the hell is going on? And I am not the only manager suffering a ridiculously high number of crocks on the treatment table and it’s costing a bomb to get them fit – money we don’t really have. I will acknowledge that the last two game (Cup and League) we have been injury free and I am very grateful for that. But, still, WTF!

"Anyway, we’re sitting in second spot but the real shock for me is that OAP are propping the table. I did say that his squad was limited given the number players he has so it was always going to be tough for Matt but he still has quality players and can still turn things around.

"The Rangers are a very strong team yet lie third from bottom, thanks largely to their 3 – 0 away win over OAP at the weekend. These two, for me, are real surprises. Yet, with only 5 games gone I don’t doubt both managers are more than capable of changing their fortunes as the rest of the season unfolds.

"Right, that’s me done, I can hear the CEO (wife) hollering in the background. I’m away to plot a course through the Cup tie before I even think about Saturday's league fixture."