“I’m a day dream believer” sang the Monkees as I sat in the press box at The One Call Stadium, Mansfield on Saturday.

League football was no longer a dream. The reality was here to be enjoyed.

Mark Stevenson (Head of Media) had arranged the seat and a car parking space if I needed one and his colleagues had matched his efficiency and warmth. In my hand was one of the best programmes I had ever seen.

Below was a perfect playing surface. All was set fair for a fine game. Tim Barnard was a welcome addition to a crowded press box with Bob Hunt as lugubrious as ever, until commentary starts.

Tuesday’s cup tie against Milton Keynes had been a Rolls Royce of a game. Both teams had their footballing engines purring perfectly and quality play abounded throughout the day.

Mansfield would be different. No Rolls/Bentley here, more Land rover Defender or Discovery. Steve Evan’s teams are like that. Strong, sturdy, rugged and reliable, but with perhaps a few rough edges are what you get when you play against an Evans side.

The performance matches that of Steve in the dugout, where he has a determined presence. No greater is asked or given. You know you are in for a tough game.

For most of the game Rovers competed, not allowing themselves to be bullied and standing toe to toe.

One or two established Div. Two defenders left vigorous calling cards with Captain Liam Noble.

He more than anyone knows the second division will not be gentle. Rovers however stood up well and a half time pause with honours even would have pleased Manager Mark.

The music at half time got it right again. “I’m onto something good” sang Peter Noon otherwise known as Herman of the excellent Hermits, but it was not to be.

The Land Rover qualities all showed through. Mansfield never faltered, pressed forward and crucially capitalised on some shaky Rovers defending. They deserved their two goals and controlled most of the second half.

What of Rovers? Yes, they had plenty of possession but not in the danger areas. In the final third Christian Doidge was left violated and alone on too many occasions. A booking for time wasting after only 35 minutes was perhaps indicative of a negative mind-set. Did we offer Mansfield too much respect?

Woolery scored for Swindon said a plaintive voice on the coach home. Indeed he did but the real significance of yesterday’s games was a hat trick scored by Kieffer Moore for Rotherham.

He would have been just the physical and footballing force to play alongside our brave Welshman.

We never saw the best of Kieffer at the New Lawn. Perhaps he was one of the “famous far too many” who it is claimed “did not want to play for the club”. It is something for us all to wonder about.

Apart from the result it was a delight to be at Mansfield. If anyone there reads this could they ask the pre-kick off and half time DJ to send us his playlist. It was superb.

Gloucestershire were from that in their last two T20 games. Poor batting has cost them dear. Some players have had wretched seasons, notably the Taylor brothers, who were so good in the last campaign.

I have written before the club need to invest in the squad NOW and recruit positively.

To say there is a lack of ambition would be harsh, but evidence to the contrary is needed. Benny Howell is exempt from all criticism. His bowling is outstanding. So is the team spirit at Lechlade CC. There first season in WEPLs top division was bound to be difficult and at times they have found it so.

However, they never know when they are beaten and have had some outstanding results. The league is very close and anything can happen but our best local club deserve to stay up.

Graham Wiltshire who gave a life time of service to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club will have his Funeral Service at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol at 1.30pm Monday.

Graham was a great soccer fan and when he took a hat trick against Yorkshire at Headingly his biggest thrill was not the three wickets, but the name of the Press Association Reporter who interviewed him at close of play.

It was his favourite player of all time, Len Shackleton.

I asked Andy Brassington at Bristol today about the man who always had a twinkle in his eye. Brassy has the last word. He was a top man John, a top man.