SOME good cricket news is imminent from Gloucestershire CCC with the club expected to announce the signing of exciting attacking batsman Ryan Higgins from Middlesex.

Anyone who saw his thrilling play for Middlesex against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham this summer will recognise what a capture he is.

Middlesex have been relegated from division one – although they are appealing over the slow over rate points deduction relating to the crossbow bolt being fired at The Oval in the Surrey game recently which essentially sent them down.

Higgins is believed to want more county championship cricket than he saw at the London side and although four other counties were interested, he has chosen Gloucestershire for the chance to play in all forms of the game.

Well done also to Brian Woodcock of the Cirencester Cricket Club.

Brian has justly and deservedly been awarded an ECB 'OSCA' These are awarded to individuals at cricket clubs who do so much behind the scenes – the game's unsung heroes. A day out at Lord's awaits.

In my working days there I was released to the ECB for a day to help host this worthwhile occasion, meeting the ageing warrior we all know as Phil Carter. Mike Gatting also played a hosting role from time to time.

My experience on those days enables me to give Brian some first class advice.

At lunch place yourself near a food station; there is usually a chance for seconds, especially at pudding time.

Gatting was an expert, on one occasion snaffling four different puds.

I could not match him but did manage to smuggle out two delicious sweets for Mrs Light. I am pleased to say that she consumed them with more elegance than Gatting, but with equal enthusiasm.

The result was the one thing that spoilt my latest Saturday afternoon at The New Lawn.

My sweetcorn chowder was a delight, company in and around the press box was gracious and well informed and the media room afterwards was the scene of much opinion and analysis. By listening, I learned much.

Forest Green Rovers captain Liam Noble was not named in the match squad.

It now emerges he will not be selected for the foreseeable future. A club statement on Monday read he was 'not available for selection due to a medical matter'.

Manager Mark was rightly proud of his team’s performance against Accrington Stanley but sad about the 0-1 result.

It was an afternoon when we saw the best and worst of Forest Green. The team were sensibly set up, playing a 4-4-2 formation with Sam Russell in goal, and were back to what they do best, playing a game based on passing and possession and doing it very well.

The midfield of Brown, Cooper, Traoré and Osbourne dominated for most of the game. Isaiah Osbourne looks a very useful addition, scarcely giving the ball away. He brought a maturity to the team.

Centre backs Lee Collins and Mark Roberts had effective games and the performance overall was the best of the season.

There is one big problem, however. Goals are not being scored.

That is overcome by a courageous and confident approach. In the final third of the field we need to be brave.

At times on Saturday we overplayed when near the Accrington area. No-one had the confidence to pull the trigger, yet sometimes the wrong decision was made and there were wild shots from a distance.

Accrington manager John Coleman, as elegant and eloquent as you would expect from a former head teacher, was full of praise for Forest Green calling them 'the best side we have played this season'.

The Rovers fans were excellent and post-match were described as 'great' by manager Mark, unfortunately off microphone.

This Saturday my League Two adventures continue when bottom (us) play top (Notts County) at Meadow Lane.

Is it too much to hope for a win?

Additionally, congratulations to Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince who has been invited to address the United Nations on climate change.