THERE were ghosts all over the pitch and memories in so many hearts when Forest Green Rovers and Swindon Town took the field on Friday evening.

Pre-match planning had worked. Fans had turned up early and the Carol Embrey Suite was as busy as ever. Anticipation and optimism were in the air. Jilly Cooper was a witty and winsome presence.

The only traffic problem I encountered was caused by the cattle on Minchinhampton Common. The club had coped and off the field it has truly come of age.

New press officer Matt Edwards has helped that process as team sheets were on time and in sufficient numbers.

The press box was full. Gone are the days when SN&J Ash, Bob and Billy Hunt plus myself huddled together for warmth. Now we acknowledge each other from a crowded distance.

Of course it is the on-field happenings that really matter and here the picture is far from rosy. League tables, even at the end of September, do not lie and Forest Green Rovers are bottom. As a result the prophets of doom are in full voice.

I am not yet among them. There were some positive signs on Friday. For 85 minutes a draw seemed the most likely result. The Swindon front line had been well shackled by a determined Rovers defence and manager Mark has finally found a settled back four.

Unless Dale Bennett’s injury is serious this should be the basis for the season. Rovers lost a lot when Bennett, a true warrior, had to be substituted.

With Drissa Traore managing to last only for his statutory hour, Rovers became even more depleted.

The current problem for Rovers is midfield. The engine room is not functioning. Captain Liam Noble is off form while wide men Toni Gomes and Will Randall may look good but where is the end product?

The admirable Christian Doidge needs support. Cooper has six months to save the season and I am sure he will. The transfer window in January will be crucial. At the moment he has boys doing men’s jobs.

The game was even until the 85th minute. Neither side could produce any incisive attacking play and a draw seemed likely. Bradley Collins had played well while the agile Vigouroux in the Swindon goal had not really been tested.

Inevitably it took a set piece to break the deadlock. A corner was poorly dealt with allowing Swindon to take the lead, which on reflection they just about deserved and then a crass goalkeeping error allowed them to double it.

Despair and frustration abounded among the home fans while Swindon, well behaved on and off the pitch went home jubilant.

Town boss Dave Flitcroft, always ready to use three words when one will do, spoke warmly about the effort of all his players. He was right. They looked a determined, united group. Manager Mark sounded sad and frustrated. He was not alone.

This week I'm taking in cricket at Bristol rather than football at Cambridge. Never before have I watched cricket after the autumn equinox.

My opinion on those who organise our fixture list is that while they may be nice people they are devoid of cricketing common sense. Gloucestershire have had to play four championship games in September, and were not given a game at Bristol for three midsummer months.

Congratulations to Benny Howell and James Bracey for their batting at Cardiff against Glamorgan, innings that showed up a too rigid selection policy.

And there are no bouquets for the two captains who allowed a game to drift.

Is county cricket played in a bubble with no thought to those of us outside it? The Cardiff game could have been saved. What has happened to brave and inventive captaincy?

Congratulations to Bibury and Fairford for the marvellous Lighthouse Final. How better the 20-over game is played now. In my day 80 was a good score. Now well over 100 is needed.

It was splendid to see good sportsmanship commented on in the match report to the final. The greatest of games still has the highest standards.

The wonders of technology meant we read about the game in the centre of Moscow and toasted both teams in the national spirit, which of course begins with V.

Is victory too much to hope for from Gloucestershire CCC and Forest Green Rovers this week?