It's a trip to the Thames Estuary

After last night's match in which Concord Rangers defeated Bath City, Leamington will be travelling to Canvey Island for their FA Trophy second round match. Known as the 'Beach Boys' because of their location, Concord Rangers are currently mid-table in the National League South so are broadly comparable to the Brakes. Read more about them here (Danny Cowley was once the manager): Concord Rangers

Canvey Island has two football clubs, the other the formerly more senior Canvey Island who are currently 9th in the Isthmian League North. The island is separated from the mainland by a network of creeks and is linked by two bridges.

It is very flat and was devastated in the 1953 floods with great loss of life. It is known for its links to the petrochemical industry.

The island is mainly populated by expatriate Londoners but has a small and growing orthodox Jewish community: BBC report

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.

United swoop for son of Brakes ace

A story today not about a Brakes player moving on, but the son of our former ace striker Mark Bellingham. You can read about his contribution to the Brakes here: Mark Bellingham.

His oldest son Jude Bellingham is scoring goals for Birmingham City at the age of 16. He has been targeted by Manchester United for a £25m move, but according to some press reports thinks he is not ready for the step up.

Josh March scored his first goal for Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

Bring on the Heed (weather permitting).

'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

That was poor

We were lucky to get away with being beaten by just 1-0 by Altrincham at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon in front of 615 people and two non-league dogs. The visitors controlled the game from the beginning and were much more fluent in their passing. Their goalkeeper was rarely tested.

When I got on the Brakes Trust minibus I was asked if there was a money back guarantee, but there wasn't. When I got to the ground I asked Kevin Watson about the board apology for Wednesday's defeat, but he didn't know what I was talking about at first.

Altrincham were playing in a grey kit which looked as if it was the one discarded by Manchester United at half time in one game. Their approach play was excellent, it was only their finishing that let them down, although they did hit the post in the first half.

The inevitable came on 57 minutes when the visitors went ahead. Brakes did manage to get a shot on goal, but had their best phase of the game after Jordan Murphy and Connor Taylor came on. The substitutions were too long delayed. Joe Clarke mouthed off at the stand after receiving criticism, and to be fair he had a better game than most, as did Junior English. The lightweight Kaiman Anderson was only withdrawn in the dying minutes.

Although Brakes made more of an effort, they wouldn't have scored if they had had 30 minutes added on instead of three.

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.