HOMESICKNESS struck on Saturday. Problems on the M5 meant a mighty detour in order to arrive at Altrincham FC in time for the kick-off. Forest Green Rovers are heading for a play-off place and no match must be missed.

The four-hour journey through the moist, muddy Midlands was not a life-enhancing experience. Neither was the view from the Altrincham press box. Wood, iron, brick and concrete all combined to obstruct the view. I yearned for the open spaces of the Corinium Stadium, just as I had pined for just a metre of Cotswold stone on the trip.

We had passed nice houses but we had seen nothing to match the charm of the Cotswolds. I felt a long way from home and even more from Mrs Light, especially as it was Valentine's Day!

Suddenly everything changed. A friendly electronics expert, sitting next to me with a flat screen on his desk tapped it and suggested I took a look. There it was. Headed Danny Hall, the Sports Editor of this newspaper, was a short succinct sentence telling the sporting world that the score at the Corinium Stadium was Cirencester Town 1 Cambridge City 0. Each of the four Cirencester goals was brought to my attention, each lightening my mood.

I was therefore able to enjoy the entertaining game being played just beyond the girders and stanchions in front of me. The 2-2 draw was a fair result. FGR are in a play-off place and have two seemingly straightforward home matches to come. Unbeaten this year, and with a strong squad, nothing is impossible at The New Lawn. I look forward to every kick.

Looking forward with such confidence is something Cheltenham Town fans cannot do. Last week the destruction caused by the appointment of Paul Buckle as manager was pointed out in this column. It must be read in Cheltenham because chairman Paul Baker and his board took appropriate action. There is more advice for them this week.

Caretaker manager Russell Milton may have been given the post until the end of the season but I believe appointing Gary Johnson (ex-Yeovil) would have been the better option. He's the man to stop them being relegated back to the Conference.

Unfortunately, Buckle had become a serial loser long before his Cheltenham appointment.

Hamish Marshall is one of the nicest guys in cricket, loyal to Gloucestershire on the field and cheerful, gracious and supportive of it off the field.

Friday marks the start of his benefit season and there is a launch event at the new Bristol Pavilion in the County Ground, to which I am taking Mrs Light.

Both of us value Hamish as a cricketer and a friend. To a certain extent benefits for cricketers are an anachronism, given the money in areas of the game but I know that Hamish is a genuine recipient and hope he does well.

Many local cricket clubs have already started indoor nets and there are open invitations for prospective members to go along. In recent years too many local clubs have struggled for members and fresh faces are welcome everywhere.

If you are new to the area and thinking of joining a club, write to me at this newspaper and I will point you in the right direction. You will not regret it.

A local cricket character Jon Gardiner of the Keepers Arms at Quenington is featuring this week in Four In A Bed, a Channel 4 TV programme unknown to me.

Thursday's episode apparently comes from this admirable pub which gives so much to life in that charming village. I am told that Jon, together with Michelle Bond are good value. I would expect nothing less.

If you are watching TV on Friday afternoon you will see Father Brown’s traditional enemy defying the laws of heredity. My actor-son is possessed of dashing good looks and dives into Gloucester Docks fully clad.

England surprised no one by losing their opening game in the Cricket World Cup. Australia play the limited overs game much better.

For too long we headed down a cul de sac with Alastair Cook as captain. I am afraid all we can hope for is damage limitation. The Sky TV coverage is splendid and how reassuring it is to see TV cash being used by the ECB to help the game at all levels.

What an example cricket offers to the grasping clubs of soccer’s Premier League. The recent £5.1bn TV deal will be followed by more obscene salaries and transfer fees.