Praise for Colby Bishop

Accrington manager John Coleman praises Colby Bishop in today's Football League Paper.  'Losing powerful striker Colby Bishop, 26 - snapped up from non-league Leamington in 2019 - to divisional rivals Portsmouth for a fee of around £500,000 this summer was a major blow.'

Coleman said: 'You can see how well he's doing at Portsmouth and you can understand why Danny Cowley was so desperate to get him.  Colby was always going to be difficult to replace - there aren't many players like him around.'

'He can lead the line, hold the ball up and chip in with his fair share of goals.  Trying to replace someone of his ilk is a forlorn hope - you have to reshape the team.'

Elsehere, Josh March scored for Forest Green Rovers yesterday, his third goal in three games.

March's fantastic goal

Josh March scored his first goal for Forest Green Rovers yesterday in their 2-0 win over Stevenage.  Taking advantage of the absence of Covid-hit top scorer Matty Stevens he scored with a header on 57 minutes.

Boss Rob Edwards said: 'I'm pleased for Josh. He had Covid early on and he's found it difficult with the front two in such good form.  it was stop-start for him through no fault of his own and he's always the hardest working player.'

'It was a fantastic goal as he came short for the ball.   Kane Wilson's first-time cross was brilliant and March span and got in the box and it was a brilliant header'

Courtney Baker-Richardson was denied a goal at Walsall by a superb save by the keeper.

Not marching on

Testing times for Brakes supremo

Josh March won a penalty for Forest Green yesterday. He then took it and saw it saved by the Macclesfield keeper. The Silkmen went on to win 2-1. Shell shocked Forest Green supremo Mark Cooper said his side have to take their chances if they are to have a chance of promotion: 'We should have won four of five nil in my opinion. They have to score, not me.'

Commiserations to those who made the long trek to Spennymoor to see Brakes lose 2-0 in what by all accounts was a poor match. Quite a few of the teams around us have games in hand. Refund City are five points behind in the relegation places, but have two games in hand.

'I loved my time at Leamington'

Both The Football League Paper and The Non-League Paper carried stories on Josh March yesterday. As they are sister papers, the reports were similar, although not identical. He started in Forest Green's 4-3 victory at Mansfield, but did not score and was substituted on 69 minutes.

Unfortunately, neither story specifically mentions the Brakes in any great depth but here are a few key points:

• He can't stop smiling after only joining Paul Holleran's side in the summer
• Playing non-league 'gives you the drive to look after yourself, eat the right things before games. You have a job and get up early in the morning when you want to play football.'
• He had to give up his day job as a pipe fitter for Armstrong. 'I was meant to go back last Thursday after New Year, but I was meeting clubs. I went in and explained what was going on and they've been as good as gold.'/LI>
• 'I've filled out now, but when I was 17, 18, 19, I was stick thin almost. You learn about how to get the ball between your body and the man. They might try and kick you but that never really fazed me - I like that!'
• 'I felt I could play in the League, but would never get the opportunity.'
• 'I loved my time at Leamington. Paul Holleran has really helped me out getting this through. He's been great.'/p>

Vegan diet for Josh March

Josh March will be on a vegan diet after he joined Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee. Players only have to eat vegan food when training and at matches: the rest of the time they are allowed to eat meat if they wish. In the meantime, we say to Josh: so long, and thanks for all the fish.

It had been thought that March might join Colby Bishop at Accrington, but Forest Green were badly in need of an attacking player. March will get the chance to play in the famous 'El Glosico' between Forest Green and Cheltenham Town.

The fee is undisclosed which is increasingly common in football at a time when other aspects of life are becoming more transparent about financial matters.

The deal will include a pre-season friendly between the two teams at the Phillips 66. We also should have such a game with Accrington.

It's a shame that the BBC don't realise that Leamington Town have not existed for some eighty years: March signing

Josh March has done an interesting joining interview with FGR: Pressures of a rapid ascent

March is going

'Leamington FC can confirm that they have accepted an offer for the transfer of Josh March from an English Football League club. Subject to the necessary paperwork being completed it is envisaged the transfer should be completed on Monday January 6th.'

Presumably he has made a full recovery from his injury. The likely destination is either Forest Green Rovers or Accrington. My guess would be a fee of £25k plus a sell on clause.

Paul Holleran will need to use his contacts book to find a replacement, not an easy task.

Brakes lose A46 derby

Gloucester's temporary home at Evesham United

Leamington lost 2-1 away to Gloucester City this afternoon. It was really a game of two halves. City pressed hard for an early goal and were 2-0 ahead half time, having taken advantage of a lethargic Leamington with a porous defence. The second half performance was better and Jack Edwards got one back for Leamington. Two Brakes goals were chalked off for offside, the one in the first half was doubtful according to someone in line, certainly the ball in was very good, but VAR was not used.

There was a lot of speculation about the future of Josh March. He wasn't in the team or on the bench. It seems likely that he may join his former Leamington colleagues at Accrington Stanley. He is under contract so there will be a fee. However, it also been suggested that he had an ongoing muscle strain.

It is now being suggested that Forest Green Rovers are also interested in recruiting March.

Gloucester won three corners in succession early in the game and looked dangerous. They particularly threatened down the left. Their No.10 put in a dangerous cross across the front of goal, but fortunately no one was in a position to deliver a tap in. A Gloucester free kick was just over the bar. Brakes scored the goal that was judged to be offside. Weaver had to make a good save from a City free kick. Junior English was told off by the rather officious referee, presumably for giving his all.

City went ahead on 22 minutes, the ball being headed in at the far post by their No.2 from a free kick. Their No.9, Marlyn Jackson received a yellow card for simulation. Both sides went through a period where the ball was headed aimlessly or hoofed backwards and forwards. It wasn't a classic and the pitch was cutting up a bit.

City looked very dangerous on the counter attack and went ahead 2-0 on 37 minutes through Marlyn Jackson, later named man of the match. Leamington showed their frustration when one of our players kicked the ball away and got a yellow card. City threatened again in the two minutes added on.

Brakes played with more purpose in the second half, but to keep them in the game Weaver had to make two good saves. Jack Edwards then got Brakes back into the game. This started off the local moaners behind me who complained they didn't have a decent left back and their second ball was poor. Hollers made a double substitution with Maycock and Anderson going off and Kieran Dunbar and Connor Taylor coming on. Dexter Williams was giving the home side increasing trouble as the game went on, deploying his skill.

The home side used up their substitutes including bringing on their French player Fabien Robert. Brakes piled on the pressure, but another ball in the net was declared offside and it almost certainly was, even without VAR. Even with six minutes added on, the elusive equaliser could not be found.

Attendance was 370, no non-league dogs.

Presumably the Leamington board will now issue an apology and refund the £5 I spent on the minibus, the £8 to get in, and the £1.40 on a Bovril, the first time I have had that for years.

Good win for Brakes

Leamington had an excellent 3-0 win over Gloucester City on a cold and raw December day at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium. Leamington are 14th in the table behind Kidderminster and AFC Telford on goal difference.

It was a slow start in terms of chances with neither side creating much, although Brakes did more of the attacking. They gradually got on top. It was a case of one shot, one goal with Jack Edwards set up perfectly by March to slam a first time shot into the net. This was followed up by Josh March put the ball into the net to make it 2-0 at half time.

Just before the break there was great play from Maycock as he set off on a driving run from the right and exchanged passes with Edwards before bludgeoning his way into the box. However, with Maher to beat he blazed well over, pummelling the pitch in frustration. The Sky Blues youngster had a good game, nevertheless.

Substitute Kieran Dunbar came on at 87 minutes and scored with practically his first touch, a great back heel from George Carline played him in and he stabbed the ball past Maher into the far corner.

Attendance was 535, too cold for dogs.

I'll settle for a point

Leamington drew 2-2 with Spennymoor Town at the Phillips 66 this afternoon leaving them 15th in the table on the same number of points as next week's cup opponents AFC Telford.

I'll settle for a point. For much of the game we were outpaced by the visitors who were very fast, particularly on the counter attack. Our second ball was often poor.

The double headed coin did its work when Brakes lost the toss and had to change ends. There were shouts of 'We're doomed'. However, a fast attack down the left enabled Kaiman Anderson to score in the first minute.

Spennymoor soon replied with a scorcher to make it 1-1 within the quarter hour. Before the half hour mark they had scored another excellent goal.

In the second half poor defending gave Spennymoor the chance to put the game beyond doubt with a penalty but it was blasted over. Brakes then had their own penalty, confidently dispatched by Josh March. He then put in a great strike from distance which hit the crossbar. What a goal that would have been.

Dexter Walters did not match his performance on Tuesday and was replaced in a double substitution which also featured the disappointing Callum Maycock. New signing Josh Martin did not get off the bench.

Once again the attendance was not announced.