Cup Of Joy

I focused on the FA Cup – and tried to pick out some value in the first round. My first pick, Boston, was denied a victory thanks to a Swindon equaliser just three minutes from time. They’ll have to do it all again in a replay.

	Something inside told me the Gills would commit footballing suicide – and I’m disappointed to say that I was right

My second pick was a hard one for me personally as I opposed my own team. I knew Gillingham were on a hiding to nothing against Burscough – and I knew we wouldn’t win the match. Even when we were 2-1 up going into the final stages, something inside told me the Gills would commit footballing suicide – and I’m disappointed to say that I was right. An own goal and a deflected winner later and the Gills were out and we had a 1pt win.

Pick number three was the best value bet I could find on the coupon. Odds-against on Stevenage to beat Kettering was a must-have bet – and despite Gazza’s new charges making a real fight of it, Stevenage eventually ran out 1-3 winners, netting us a tasty 4.80pts profit into the bargain.

In my final pick, I sided with Carling Cup giantkillers Grimsby against Bristol Rovers. I said Rovers were overpriced, but plumped for the Mariners, but as it turned out, I should have gone with the value, as the visitors took the spoils and cost us a point.

That said, we had a good first week overall, with a positive balance at the end of the week. Let’s hope it’s the first of many!