Watford 12 men draw with Argyle's 10

Al and I went out to the Argyle game yesterday. Even Al (9 years old) had trouble staying in her seat after an interesting (?) referee display. I have copied this from a match report for your entertainment. Must say, we were not amused!!

"Plymouth Argyle gained a deserved point against Watford in a bad-tempered affair at Home Park. Jermaine Easter put the Pilgrims one up in the first half but Watford equalised just three minutes later when Lee Williamson scored from a free-kick.
Argyle were down to ten-men in the second half when Peter Halmosi was sent-off for a second bookable offence.The game was overshadowed by some poor decisions from referee Phil Joslin and the atrocious 'football' played by Watford. Argyle not only had to contend with Joslin playing as a spare man in the Hornets' midfield but also the bullying tactics from the Watford players.
A gusty wind didn't help both sets of players.As a special treat we have Big Ron as co-commentator for the game and he'll be giving us his views during this match report.
Watford had the early pressure with some long throw-in's from Leigh Bromby, a January transfer target for Argyle boss Paul Sturrock, creating panic in the Argyle defence. Some of Bromby's throws were from the halfway line, it's football but not as we know it.
Any early thoughts Ron? 'Tell you what, it's very windy out there, it looks like the Hungarians have been on the beans and goulash. The Watford lad throws it further than I go on holiday!'
Thanks Ron.
After an endless succession of Bromby long throws Argyle finally got hold of the ball and started to play football. You know football don't you Mr Boothroyd? Players pass along the ground to each other!
Over to Ron. 'I'll tell you what, I know it's early doors but the big fella at the back for Plymouth is heading the ball away for fun.'
The Pilgrims scored from their first real attempt on goal when Rory Fallon played in striker partner Jermaine Easter who shot past the bemused Richard Lee in the Watford goal to give Argyle a 1-0 advantage.
What did you think of the goal Ron? 'Spotter's badge for Big Rory, he's picked out his mate Easter and he's slotted in on the back stick.'
Ok Ron.
Within three minutes the thugs from Vicarage Road drew level and surprisingly it wasn't from a long throw but from their 12th man. Joslin gave his mates a dubious free-kick just outside the Argyle penalty area and after making sure that the Argyle wall was back the required 11 yards, Lee Williamson stepped up to chip the ball over the wall and past Argyle keeper Luke McCormick to make it 1-1.
The goal signalled the first time that the ball had entered the Argyle penalty area from a foot rather than from a throw-in.
Any thoughts on the Watford goal Ron? 'Yes, a great lollipop from the Watford player, he pulled the trigger over the wall and it's in, just a shame McCormick is not in the wide-awake club.'
The second half continued in the same vein, with the Boothroyd Bruisers hitting the ball as far as possible, if that failed they threw it as far as possible. The Argyle defence, with Russell Anderson and Marcel Seip prominent, stood strong in the face of such intimidation.
A goal-mouth scramble in the Watford penalty area saw Peter Halmosi surprisingly pick up a yellow card from Joslin. 'Look at me, look at me, I'm a referee!'
Over to Ron on that booking. 'Halmosi has loaded that in the mixer again but it's a crowd scene in there with the Hungarian giving it little eyebrows, he done wonders there to ghost in, not sure about the yellow, that's harsh.'
Sturrock changed things around by taking off Chris Clark and Gary Teale and brought on Lilian Nalis and Jim Paterson but with Argyle in the ascendancy they were reduced to ten men when Joslin wanted to take centre-stage once again.
Halmosi picked up his second yellow card for a tackle on Matthew Sadler, the Watford bench were up in arms, quite remarkable when you think that Boothroyd's Bruisers have been fouling all match.
Unfortunately Halmosi was injured in the tackle and left the pitch on a stretcher. Despite being a player short (or is that two players?) Argyle finished the game the stronger team but couldn't find a way past the muscle boys and the game ended all square at 1-1.
A quick summary Ron? 'I never comment on referees and I'm not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat. Watford threw the ball for fun but Plymouth rallied to the sound of the trumpets and a draw is a fair result.'
Thanks Ron.
Argyle stay in 6th place in the Championship while Watford drop one place to fourth, such a shame.

Star Player

Phil Joslin brought his side back into the game with the award of a dubious free-kick. He allowed his team mates to foul and bully but sent off Halmosi."

Just about sums it all up really. Halmosi was stretchered off to a waiting ambulance. Didn't look like a break but you can never tell.

And that's it from the Plymouth jury!!!!

Operation hall successfully completed

Operation Hall has now been completed. As you can see from the photo's above Val is very happy about the situation! I think Ches is relieved as she was going to give a hand with the painting until I got fed up with living in a building site and got Rob and his brother Co. Ltd.

A very impressive job was done. Before anyone asks the whole job cost us £2165, so as we thought that just the plastering and replacement of ceilings etc was going to set us back between £1500 and £1800 we are very pleased. Just got to sort out the shower and that's it for now (I hope)

It has been a long hard slog, anyone thinking about removing wallpaper in a house over 100 years old be warned - when you put the steamer on that is the start of your troubles!!!! The house is, at last, clear of sticky bits of paper everywhere. We now have a few layers of dust to deal with after the plastering and wood sanding, but that is to be dealt with over the next couple of days. As luck would have it I am on strike Monday and Tuesday so not only do I have the moral high ground but also an opportunity to clean the house with my darling wife!!! Wonderful!!

Now those of you who were privileged enough to watch "The Championship" on ITV this morning had a feast. The mighty Green Army moved to Bristol City and humbled the Championship league leaders. After the last two bizarre results, and one one case an unbelievable refereeing decision, normality has been resumed. Al and I will be out to the Watford game next week so fingers crossed please. I noticed that the Tractor sluts managed to scrape a win.

Time for Ashes to ashes. We have it on V+ so are trying to catch up. Saw the first two and looks like a good series. Well, must go as Eastenders is coming to an end and I can return to my front room.

Think of me cleaning tomorrow - please!!

Operation Hall - almost there

As you can see, Operation Hall is continuing apace. Val has asked me to inform all that she was not wearing any makeup when these photo's were taken. I did point out that the object was to allow all to see the progress so far hall wise - but there you go. Should all be finished by Tuesday, so book a note in your diary. That's if I get time to go a blogging on Tuesday of course.

For the musical amongst you, Ches went to Exeter last night to see the Mothers of Invention. Well, more grandmothers now! She said they were excellent, so thanks for the show lads.

Al stayed overnight here and shifted beds from our sofa bed to the futon with mum at 02.00 hrs this morning!! She should be tired but as I type at 20.45 she is at youth club. Better not be tired tomorrow as we are off to see the Mighty Greens take on Sheffield Utd. We have our fingers crossed. Looks like rain and wind so this will test her mettle for the prospect of a season ticket next season!!!

Had updates from the eastern end of the country, so without further ado over to HR.

"Hiay , its just a quick note and an attachments to show you that I have not lost the knack; in fact I seem to have gained it ! Went shooting today at CGC and decided to try five shots with the Mauser in the standing-unsupported position. That is hard work and I used to hate it. It still made my arms ache after three shots so I rested it a bit ! Yup....'whimp' I can here Podga muttering!

But the picture attached shows that if you ignore the one at the bottom I threw away then there is a nice tight (wait for it) group of 2.5' at 50mtrs range ! So I am relly chuffed. I have found another club at Tidworth and am also joining the NRA so that Nick Coffin and I can go down to Bisley during the week and shoot. It was always something I thought beyond me (like Wimbledon to a tennis player) but it is far more accessable than I realised.

So , happy days and the smell of smokeless powder in my nostrils ! I have attached a picture of the target I took (for posterity) because I doubt I will ever shoot like that again. That Mauser is a beautiful thing to fire though."

So now you know why there is a picture of a bit of paper with some holes punched in. Did you think that was the latest masterpiece to go up in the hall?

Well now it's over to Blue Skies. Val has just shouted up that I have to go now so I will leave you with Podga. I will not mention that Argyle are actually two points above the tractor boys.

"Suffolk Sojourn 39/137. I'm getting this in early, before tonite's results are posted. Tractor Boys sit above Pilgrims purely on alphabetical order methinks at this moment (041855ZMar). Same games played, points and goal difference also the same. So - just in case there is any sulking ie Leon Syndrome (Writers Block)and to evade any sarcastic comments across the ether, I'm getting this to you now - allowing a few days to compose myself before 40/137 appears.

I don't sound too confident do I?Pilgrims host our Essex neighbours Colchester, whilst Tractor Boys welcome Sheff Utd. Man U. have 2nd leg against Lyon (Leon?) BIG NIGHT TONIGHT.(That's enough Footie - HR)

So - Op Hall heads for completion -excellent. Party?

And HR and his Reds are invading the South Coast - blimey! There was me thinking they'd come across from the East to Whitby - their aircraft did. Dad's Army (and I) are packing bergens to yomp down and meet the threat of HR's newly formed Yefrehtor.

Your gig at Hawkwind in Germany with HR - He called it 'Ace'. May I suggest it was because the Wild Child/Dancing Dervish called Stacia took her top off? As she always did - a hint of fullness of breast or what!!

PS - For intelligence purposes, how many in HR's Yefrehtor? I've got 13 to yomp down to meet them head on. We leave after Alberts' had his ECG at Ipswich General on Thursday. Blue Skies (in anticipation/trepidation). Love to Val and you all.Podga "

Actually "Thunder" had a rather nice young lady when I saw them!! I am off to get the milk for Val's hot chocolate!!

Operation Hall - Update

For those of you who have been following "Operation Hall". The photos above tell a story, we have reached the end of the plastering faze. Dean and Roger did a cracking job, and all in less than a week.

Next stage is the painting and decorating. Given what has happened at home over the last month we have decided to get it right and done properly. Enter Rob and his brother. Painters and decorators that come highly recommended. Certainly, Rob appeared to know his stuff when he came to give the quote. We were very happy with Dean and Roger and they are the ones that put us in touch with Rob. Hopefully, this time next week I will be publishing pictures of the completed job. They are starting on Tuesday and reckon on four days, possibly an extra half day depending on how things go.

As you can see from the photos the plaster has to dry out before we go into painting mode.

An update on Val. Things are coming along fine. She actually said on Thursday that she feels normal for the first time in a long time. The wobbles were not entering her head and she was getting on with the day.

She has actually discovered the kitchen and uses for it other than smoking room. Her sister Silv has been popping over with recipes and showing Val how to cook!!!! It's great for me, I come home and have a meal ready when I get back from taking Holly out! Not used to this but long may it continue.

Bit of a hiccup on the footie front. WBA trounced the Greens and the traitor boy scored for the tractor boys.

Time for our riving reporters. As usual in date of receipt order. HR first.

"Hiya ; I remembered Berusia Mönchengladbach too ; but like you I didn`t quite know how to spell it !

I also remembered Hawkwind later in the weekend. Ace !!

Just wanted to call you to task on the editing : it jumped from saying Val looks ace to my thoughts on how wonderful Joke is. Except there was no mention of Joke so it seems embarrassingly close to my comments on Val !

Am just gearing up for the end of March when we have our first Living History event at Fort Nelson Portsmouth. The boss posted promotions on the forum (which will be awarded then) and yours truly will go up a notch to the first rung on the ladder (like SAC) except they call it Yefrehtor (like the German-Gefreiter). I am more chuffed at this than any other I have ever had. It means when we do soldiering bits at public shows I will get a section called Suvorov, Nevski, Red Banner or similar; and like any section it will take teamwork and dedication to do things properly. Except all are volunteers of various ages and backgrounds , so a real "learning opportunity" for me too !!

This year one of the guys (Nick Coffin ! who sounds just like the late John Peel) has arranged a training programme and personal record book, so the whole unit will become more streamlined and professional (Nick actually works for what was Flight Refuelling at Bournemouth airport). We will be learning more about Soviet weapons & tactics and refining our drill ,which if done properly looks very smart (no raising the knee or "driving the foot 6" into the ground". The arms are swung across the body and looks ace.I am trying to read a training manual for the rifle which is written in Cyrillic. It is slow but interesting. A foresight is called a "Moozhka" and a rifle a "Veentovka". I love it ! Must dash . need sleep . Be good and love to all ."

Having a go at the Editor huh!! For those of you that didn't get to see HR's email - I suppose that's everyone really except me of course. He was writing about the love of his life. I thought it was not really meant for the whole world to read so I cut it out. Just didn't do a very good job of it!!! I keep telling him to put "start here" and "end here" to make my life easier. To make it really easy do a Podga and put it in the comments!! And talking about Podga -

"Suffolk Sojourn 38/137.Onwards and Upwards - Val is confounding the Medics and all who surround her - brilliant and comforting news - that's my gal - I knew it would be a minor glitch. We were all with you - and now all is back to normal'ish, roll on the spring sunshine.

The footie looks interesting, with Pilgrims 1 point above Tractor Boys, and excellent that you took Alice from the Palace to the Burnley game. You 2 obviously made the difference - and a resounding result. Ipswich were unlucky at Stoke, but I'll say no more.

The plot thickens as the Play-Offs beckon closer and closer. Utd, of course charge on. Leon's Gooners slipped up, but understandable after Edourdo's frightful injury.

Are you still out there Leon?

The last two weeks here at Chez Podga have been a nightmare - with the electrics tripping off intermittently - only whilst the heating was on. Initial investigations eventually found a 3inch screw thru' part of the kitchen boiler wiring - but insulated by the rawplug. (The house is only 4 years old). The builders rep eventually arrived to inspect and with a shamed face admit liability (and pay gas/electric engineer charges).

Finally sorted as the Rugby was on (Sat aft) - or so we thought.

That evening it went again - No Power. Electrician back at 2000 - now sourced to airing cupboard - water valve leakage onto electrics. Plumber in at 0900 Sunday to fit new valve, and electrician at 1900 to wire up. Finally sorted last nite. Phew!

Luckily it got milder over here as we were well out of our comfort zone and had to cancel the weekend guest from London.(That's enough hardship for now - Ed - Oi that's my job - the real Ed). Blue Skies! Podga"

And we thought living in a house 108 years old gave problems! Glad to see it is all sorted. Houses - they don't make 'em like they used to!!!

A little giggle this afternoon. With all the work in the hall we decided to go wireless with the front door bell. Up to bulk to get one today. Home to fix. Got it all set up and "ding dong" it went. About five minutes after testing it all over the house (the mobile bit) I was happy and wondered to the kitchen.

"Ding dong", our first visitor with the new bell, wondered up and it went "Ding dong" as I passed the fixed donger. At this point I could see through the door and noticed there was no-one there. Into Val to have a moan about the bloody bell going off on it's own. Out to the front door and pressed it a couple of times - all seemed well, just a temporary hiccup. Walking back to the kitchen "Ding dong" went the bell. Turned around and no one there. Out the door again to have another look only to hear talking from next door. Two guys wondering why their doorbell had suddenly started to ring all by itself. I poked my head around the door to see them in deep conversation trying to work out why, after a few years, their doorbell suddenly developed a mind of it's own.

You are ahead of me know so I will keep it short. Needless to say they had the same wireless doorbell as the one we had just installed!!! Operating on the same frequency!! A quick twist of frequency control (I say quick but I had to dismantle first!). All is now well.

It is also getting a little late. Oh by the way, got another e-mail from HR in which he said that he felt he had to criticise the wonderful editor of this blog as people might have thought he was slimy the way he came across last time. Do we think he was slimy???? Watch out for the Swan water!!

Bought a table "fussball" yesterday, so guess what Al and I will be doing tomorrow. I beat her 9 - 4 in our first quick game last night!!