Here we go, tonight we welcome the Jockeys for their first of two visits to the Riverside Stadium in 5 days, this one for a League Challenge Cup fixture. To be honest, this is quite probably the competition decider already, as in my opinion, these are the best two teams competing. I was seriously impressed by Newmarket the other week and the are the best we have faced this season (excluding Sudbury in the FA Cup), and without appearing presumptuous, I can see both teams facing each other in the Isthmian League next season. Is it tempting fate to say this?

We made our first ever trip to Heacham last Saturday, running out comfortable winners by five goals to nil. Heacham have won promotion for the last nine seasons, and have a great set up over there now. There is a nice man pitch, a training area, tennis courts, bowls green, a half size 3G caged area. We used to go to Heacham on holiday back in the 60s', and it was nice to return there last week. I think the machines in the arcade have been changed though, as I couldn't find the old horse racing carousel machine with Harry Wragg, Doug Smith, Charlie Smirke, Scobie Breasley, Sandy Barclay and Lester Piggott. Smith and Wragg paid evens, and the others paid 3/1, 5/1 and 11/1..not a bad over round for the books. You see the connection there, I started with the Jockeys, and finished with the Jockeys.

We also ran into former Mildenhall manager, and player, Dave Pinky Pinkowski at Heacham. He was in good form and is going to sponsor a match for us. I don't know if our presence got him on it again, but he was fuelling up at half time for sure. As it happens, he also managed Newmarket back in the day, and I do remember going to Barnet for an FA Cup tie with the Jockeys, probably in the 90s?
That's what the non league game is all about. Most of the time, it is the league action, but the cups do offer something different, with the opportunity of glory for all of us, supporters, players and management. Newmarket lost at Barnet, but what an achievement to go to Underhill for an FA Cup tie.

We have an opportunity to add to our glorious cup history next week when we travel to Potters Bar to play St PantmeIIon FC. They currently sit top of the Spartan South Midlands League, and coincidetally beat Heacham 1-0 last week. We are running the bus to this fixture and really do need your support to make the bus viable. Please put your name on the list for 11th November.

I'm not going to deviate from football tonight. Lets enjoy the moment, enjoy the company, enjoy the match, enjoy the burgers which really have reached a new level, and whatever the outcome, this is our football, our game, MAKE THE MOST OF IT