TUST

TUST FAN ZONE

BLOOD SWEAT TEARS (OF JOY) RIBS AND DEON MOORE THE MERRIER AS FINAL LOOMS

UNITED WOMEN DEVON COUNTY CHAMPIONS AND (ALMOST) TITLE WINNERS

LOOKING FOR A SUMMER READ? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE GULLS NEST

Looking back last weekend (men winning at Tonbridge, women beating Gloucester at Plainmoor) was meant to be a kind of dress rehearsal for this weekend just gone and it was another blockbuster.

On Sunday the women were moments away from clinching the three points for the title and promotion but in the end had to settle for one.

But really with their superior goal difference, +29, the title is theirs no matter what happens in their final match against Sherborne when they would like to end their season unbeaten.

On the previous day the men ran their socks off, giving their all in sweat and blood – well blood from Nashe Sundire, who man marked Dorking’s Charlie Carter out of the game before having to come off with bruised ribs (reminds me I must get my BBQ ready) and who posted on Sunday night following a trip to hospital “I’m fine”.

A packed Plainmoor, officially 4,800, witnessed a match that will live long in the memory as Jimmy Ball’s game plan worked a treat. He had done his homework having been to watch Dorking’s Wednesday clash with Maidenhead.

His players carried out his instructions to the letter and what a performance from every member of the squad but the one player who everyone was talking about was striker Deon Moore who, despite his marker trying to remove his shirt all game, demonstrated a master class in holding the ball up and allowing time for his team mates to get into attacking positions.

His reward was two priceless goals and Man of the Match. In his interview in The Cove afterwards he was very humble, down to earth and quick to acknowledge the role the fans played as the team’s 12th man.

Marc White, a ‘marmite’ figure to many – love him or loathe him – in his post- match interview praised Jimmy for the team he picked and acknowledged the best team won.

Although he didn’t use this as an excuse, I would say that if the positions had been reversed, us playing a quarter-final on the Wednesday, then travel for a 12.30 kick off on the Saturday I would guess we would say that was unfair.

If those are the rules then let’s hope we can say goodbye to National South.

Anyway, back to the events. To be 4-0 ahead was like being in dreamland but credit Dorking for making the final scoreline look, for them, a little more respectable.

Straight after the final whistle the talk was let’s hope it’s Weston at home next Saturday but as we know events turned out differently.

So, it’s Hornchurch away and only 900 tickets to satisfy at least three times that number. However, for those who will inevitably be disappointed there is to be a big occasion at Plainmoor with screen(s) on the pitch, music, food vendors and bars.

Full details are to be released soon.

It’s for moments like these, whether you’re at Hornchurch or watching at Plainmoor, that we all dream and why we follow football.

In Saturday’s From The Boardroom in the matchday programme, “Promotions do not come around often here. In 126 years, this club has only celebrated seven of them.”

Without tempting fate, the arrival of Jimmy Ball has not only coincided with him having a full squad to pick from but he’s instilled a new belief in the players which has transmitted itself to the Yellow Army.

Nothing in football is a given but let’s enjoy this moment and hope that we join Worthing in the National League.

A returning Women’s Player of the Season Beth Everson’s lone goal on Sunday in Bristol against AEK Boco looked to have clinched not only the title but promotion only for an 88th minute equaliser to spoil the party.

However, it will take a set of really freak results to stop United with them only needing a point to be certain.

On the Friday night they were truly celebrating following a 10-0 Devon County Cup Final win over SB Oak Villa at Coach Road with seven different scorers plus an own goal.

Congratulations girls!

Non-League Play-Off Crowd Watch: Carlisle 13,813, Rochdale 7,552, Scunthorpe 6,248, Torquay 4,800, Kidderminster 4,426, Macclesfield 3,548.

After this football malarky is all over, going on a summer holiday? If you are, surely you’ll need a book to read. How about a murder mystery set in the 1950s? Look out for a new book by Jess Kidd called ‘Murder at Gulls Nest’ – ooh, er!

Or maybe you’re off to watch the World Cup in America/Canada. Be warned that in some States buying alcohol for under-21s could result in a prison sentence!