STEPHANIE TURNS RONALDO'S HEAD AND MESSES WITH MESSI'S TOO

Ronaldo and Messi fought it out for the Ballon d'Or Ballot yesterday although in the end CR7 won at a canter, winning over 37% of the vote. Troubled Messi, got second place with 15.76%. At the FIFA awards, Christiano said, "Yes, it's justified. It was deserved", a modest beginning to his interview. Messi, who is having a tough time deciding what to do after Barcelona, had to put up with the runners-up spot although judging by the photo below, he benefited from a front seat when it came to the best goal award. Both Lionel and C7 had their heads turned by Irish sportswoman, Stephanie Roche, who wore a lacy number, which obviously drew approval from the two best footballers in the World.
Stephanie was walking the boards as runner-up in best goal which was won by James Rodriguez whose World Cup goal for Chile apparently was better than Stephanie's, SEE http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30786318 and judge for yourself.

Ronaldo is now one Ballon win behind Messi and he follows in the great footsteps of Real Madrid players such as Di Stefano (twice), Raymond Copa, Luis Figo, Ronaldo (the Brazilian) and Cannavaro.
In the best team line up, David Luis is included, somebody who appeared in the Brazilian back four when his team lost 1-7 to Germany in the last World Cup and who has "gone missing" several times in the Premier League. The FIFA-FIFPro-Team of the Year award also provoked ridicule when Thiago Silva, suspended for this crucial match, was selected alongside Luis. FIFA's crazy isn't it? BY THE WAY FANS THIS MODEST BLOG HAS TOPPED 3000 HITS NOW-THANKS.

OVER THE BORDER AND BRIDGE TO HAVERFORD

There is always a chance of a quiet few hours away from our loved other halves, and yesterday a trio found themselves in the Greyhound pub in Haverfordwest. Yes, Pembrokeshire and the Welsh National League Division One. The opposition was Briton Ferry Llansawel, an amalgamated club put together in 2009 and one that is playing for the fun of it with modest ambitions, presently 9th in the division whilst the home team, the Bluebirds, are 4th.

Haverfordwest County FC, apart from a number of domestic wins in Cups and Leagues, have the unusual honour of having played in the UEFA Cup qualifiers in 2003-4 by way of their previous league position. Having been elected to the Welsh League in 1936, the club plays at a very tidy ground, the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium, and clearly has much going in its favour. In their club house  team pictures and individual shits of those local who have played internationally, such as Ivor Alchurch, one of Wales' greatest "sons". They won their game against Briton Ferry 2-0, the first goal being a gymnastic overhead kick in the first few minutes and were refereed by a UEFA qualified ref, Mr Kris Hames.

YOUNG SHAVER TO OLD STAGERS

16 years old on December 17^th, Martin Odegaard is regarded as the most promising young footballer to have EVER played in the Norwegian League and for the country. He presently plays for Stromsgodset, appearing 23 times in the Tippeligaen, having made his debut in April last year. His international debut was against the UAE at 15 years and 253 days, the youngest ever for his country. He has trained with his father's local club twice a week but has been encouraged to play for the Stromsgodset first team this season, including playing in the Champions League. A midfield player, Martin finished his formal education this year, but is too young to be included in Football Manager 2015 and he regards the Christian faith as very important in his life. Real Madrid are courting him and hope to get his name on a contract soon. So lucky boy, if he does join up, he will be playing with the Zidane boys! Martin will be at the Madrid derby this evening.

Where at the other end of the age spectrum, Fernando Torres will be performing for Athletico Madrid. Martin will be in the crowd as a guest of Real Madrid, watching to see if Torres regains his form in , the Spanish Cup tie against Real Madrid. After a period of disappointment at a selection of clubs, it would be good to see him bounce back.

And old stagers Phil Neville and Paul Scholes formally took charge at Moor Lane where Salford City play in the Evo-Stik NPL (North). They are part owners of the club and led the team in a win over Kendal Town 2-1 after the departure of manager Phil Power.

THE SAINTS WAY

Thanks to James Kibbey, who has sent this link on to me and I suspect to a number of Old Carthusians. Richard Lewis (anyone remember Lew?) who knew Charlie Mortimer (anyone know who he is) who was part of the Southampton FC back room staff when the club played at the Dell arranged for us to visit the club and their training ground in the 1980s and the Charterhouse XI  had a fixture or two against a Saints Youth side, when the young hopefuls visited the school to play on our main pitch. The school, in 2014-15, is lucky to have ex-Saint, David Howells as Director of Football, who will encourage the school to play the Saints Way. So enjoy the film which is about 40 minutes long.
http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/pl-download-the-southampton-way
You can watch this rather than any FA Cup football which seems to be illusive unless you have BT Sport.

AKIN TO MUSCLE OUT POOL

Islington born, Adebayo Akinfenwa is playing for his 11^th club this season, having started his career at 18 in Lithuania for FK Atlantas, where he was subjected to extraordinary racial abuse, but where he cut his teeth on the professional game. Standing 5' 11'' and weighing 225 lbs, the 32 year old jumped for joy when his team, AFC Wimbledon, the 14th worst team in the Football league, was drawn against his favourite team, Liverpool, in tonight's 3^rd Round FA Cup tie. Having scored over 150 goals in his 12 year long career, Akinfenwa is described in FIFA 15 (EA Sports game) as the Football World's strongest man. He can bench press 180kgs and will provide the stuttering Liverpool back four with an immense physical challenge.

AFC Wimbledon is not bringing the “Crazy Gang” tactics to their playing part of the match tonight, though previous member of the gang and now manager, Neil Ardley, wants his squad to give Liverpool a rough old time down at Kingsmeadow, which with a capacity of only 4800, will generate an intense energy to fortify the League Two underdogs. Akinfenwa, who has learned his trade at clubs such as Barry Town, Boston United, Doncaster and Torquay, wants to be in the cauldron.

AFC Wimbledon, which re-formed in 2002,after the demise of Wimbledon FC and the attempted link with MK Dons, first played in the Combined Counties League with the like of Godalming Town as opponents. The rise of the club through the Isthmian League Premier in 2005, the Conference Premier in 2009 brought the club to the Football League in 2011.

It's a long way from the old Wembley with Vinnie Jones' first minute tackle on Steven McMahon, Lawrie Sanchez's goal and Dave Beasant's penalty save, but it is an intriguing fixture with history to be made.

Only two clubs have won the FA Amateur Cup and the FA Cup, the Old Carthusians (who else! In 1894 and 1881)) and Wimbledon Football Club (1963 and 1988). PS NEARLY 3000 HITS! exciting

THE LONG WEEKEND

TODAY should be FA Cup 3^rd Round day with all the minnows that have survived umpteen rounds of cup qualification since August, joining a full mix of Premier and League teams. Unfortunately the FA has strung out all the games from Friday (yesterday), through to Tuesday, no doubt allowing the TV sponsors the opportunity of screening as many matches as possible. This is not apparent on the TV listings.

The first tie has already been played, with Cardiff, at home, beating Colchester comfortably in front of just over 4000 crowd. On Tuesday, as well as Everton v West Ham, Scunthorpe are at home to Chesterfield, who have had to replay their Second Round tie against MK Dons yesterday because the Twisted Spire men played an ineligible player in the first bout. Why weren't they thown out?

Most games are being played today and tomorrow, but there are not a lot of televised matches, although there are a number of exciting ties to whet our appetites, including Gateshead away at West Brom with 85 places between them in the league; the Baggies with a fresh man at the helm may be vulnerable.

Blyth Spartans host Birmingham City (141 places apart), however, perhaps the non league club wishes that the game had been played a few weeks ago before the Brummie revival under their new manager. Derby are at home to Southport (89 gap) and Tranmere have Swansea visiting (81 gap). Leicester v Newcastle may raise a a tingle but the rest of Saturday's ties are unlikely to make the heart race.

On Sunday most of the premier clubs turn out, with Dover and AFC Wimbledon holding the home diamond ties against Crystal Palace (87 gap) and Liverpool (71 gap). Yeovil at home to Manchester United (65 gap) and Wrexham away at Stoke (95 gap) provide an odd chance of a set back.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Best wishes to Steven Gerrard, an exemplary leader of Liverpool Football Club and for England, who has announced his "retirement" from the end of this season. In his career, there has been the odd indiscretion, but nobody will have served his sport better than he. Making his debut at the end of November 1998, Gerrard has scored 180 goals and won two FA Cups, three League Cups, a Champions League and UEFA Cup, mainly in an halcyon period between 2001 and 2006. He has stuck loyally to his home club, Liverpool, despite attractions from other clubs both English and on the continent. So, now that he has planned his Premier League departure with dignity, he may consider a future in America. 
International colleague, Frank Lampard, clearly has no plans to retire and has set his stall out by signing a deal with Manchester City that will keep him at the Etihad until the end of this season at least. He was to join the North American MLS and New York City in March but he has no plans to join the Blues "sister" club until he runs his contract out with City. This has left 11,000 American fans frustrated as they were already season ticketed up to see their new star play. And the result is that Lampard team shirts have halved in price since this was announced. Guy Poyet will be fed up too since it was the returning Lampard who characteristically planted a header into the Sunderland goal yesterday, to seal a victory for City.
Whilst these two oldies are enjoying their eventide, some youngsters are making their mark such as Harry Kane, the Hurricane, who destroyed Chelsea yesterday, fellow Londoner, Jordan Ibe on loan from Liverpool to Derby and in Spain, four Zidane sons who are all on Real Madrid's books.