FOREST GREEN ROVERS have achieved a record unbeaten run, their 1,000th Conference goal, the fish and chips at the ground are better than ever, free transport is operated for away matches and there is the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ to the inevitable merger of the supporters club and the trust.

All this should make for a joyous column, but I write with some disappointment. Two points have been dropped.

Worthy though Braintree are they should have been beaten. Yes, they pressed hard and gave us no room to play but we are better than Saturday’s display showed. We started too slowly, enabling the opposition to gain a foothold they never relinquished and resorted to far too many long balls from defence. It was not a pretty game.

It seems churlish to criticise a team that has done so magnificently and will thrill us again before the season is out, but despite the wonderful recent record some questions must be asked.

The biggest one concerns the choice of goalkeeper. My position is quite clear. Sam Russell should not have been omitted and should be restored to the side. Steve Arnold is a very good keeper and did many good things on Saturday but he was badly positioned and left flat-footed when the goal went in. It is time for a change.

Manager Ady Pennock has made some magnificent decisions this season and I deem him a huge success but Ady, it is time for another big call. You know what you must do. Show the courage that you did when you brought in the vigorous Charlie Clough to replace the limp Luke Oliver.

Charlie showed again on Saturday what a magnificent signing he is.

With eight wins and four draws in the league since Christmas the players have done us proud. They have taken us to a position (fifth) where anything is possible and until the final game with Dover none of us should miss a kick.

Woking will be a stiff challenge on Saturday. It is a ground where we have endured some poor performances. Do not let Woking settle – make a bright start, preferably with a quick goal – and take it from there. Now is the time for a final push.

Players – you are good enough and fit enough to beat anyone in the league. Go on the field believing and anything can happen. You had new supporters there on Saturday from beyond the Five Valleys, a true tribute to past efforts. Give us a thrilling season’s end!

Off the field the Conference does not thrill me. Where is the much-needed campaign for three up, three down? Anyone who has seen Cheltenham Town play is in a position to judge the strength of the respective leagues. Turkeys are not going to vote for Christmas and for the Football League to agree to three up etc will take a powerful push.

Believe it or not, and I find it hard to, cricketers take the field this week, with our county side playing a friendly at Cardiff against Glamorgan. Gone are the days when our players turned up on April 1, played six-a-side football, used the nets when the weather was warm enough and then started the season. Now they are prepared like thoroughbred racehorses.

One of our more go-ahead local clubs is Fairford CC. There is something at the Park Street ground for everyone irrespective of age or sex.

There is an open day on Saturday, April 4, between 2pm and 5pm. New players of all ages will be welcome and in addition there’s the annual U12 tournament involving teams from Lechlade, Poulton, Cirencester and the home club. A bar and barbecue will keep all fed and watered.

Congratulations to Brian Woodcock of Cirencester CC. He definitely deserves his nickname ‘Brains’. He was able to name the ex-Cirencester Town footballer who played for Crawley at Swindon Town recently. It was the much travelled Lee Fowler.

The challenges of life have often proved too much for Lee and he has moved from club to club. Manager Dean Saunders values him so Lee may be able to achieve something there. He is certainly gifted enough.

Mrs Light and I enjoyed our regular Cheltenham Festival evening which was as boisterous as ever.

Walking round Montpellier on a Festival race night is to experience true enthusiasm and joy. We got mixed up with an Irish drumming band and loved every minute. That is exactly how I wish to feel watching FGR’s promotion run-in.