A tough one to swallow.

We got off to a flyer despite the disjointed prematch preparations.

For the first time this season we had a player pullout, late on Saturday, along with 3 players turning up late and one after kick off.

I don't think I could be more clear on the importance of coming together as a group in time to warm up and prepare properly to get in the mood to play to your best.

We arrange to meet 45 minutes before kick off and this week for many reasons we failed to do so. For me it underlines why we should.

Even with a two goal lead and a helpful wind in the first half we never really looked our usual selves and so it proved to be. RPV got one back before half time and that gave them the lift they needed to fly away with the second half and deservedly take all 3 points.

I won't ever take to these pages to criticise the boys as we talk about things on a Wednesdays, good or bad, all I will do Is say that RPV were playing thier last game of the season and didn't want to go down without a fight. So well done to them.

The game was played in front of an appreciative crowd from both sides and my only disappointment was with the officials who were lazy with rules, too keen to wave flags in contradiction of the current rules of football, and I'm still not convinced the lino should be giving the ref pointers on his performance after coaching the home team throughout the game and the ref happy to accept those pointers. It didn't feel very impartial to be honest. In fact, it was clear that both "home "officials were clearly linked to the team in some way. Nobody benefits in the long term by misplaced loyalties.

Let that take nothing away from the really good team performance by RPV and their two excellent coaches who made us very welcome.

We try to do our very best for the boys and keeping them motivated, and Sundays Man of the match was Asa who was taken to Wembley as a reward with a ticket to the cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself and was a pleasure to take.

I announced the prize for MOTM at half time to the boys as I got a phone call during the first half offering me the ticket.

I'd hoped that there would be more contenders. Maybe if we get another fantastic donation like that, more will stake a claim to go.

I trust these boys and we have a really tough game ahead this weekend with champions Sutton United and their 100% record coming to Hatton Road, I know they will do us all proud, win lose or draw.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaglessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

A final point is one of the dads is boxing on Friday night at York Hall, we all wish him the very best of luck and comes home safely.

Good luck Joe, were all behind you.