United’s reserves lost 4-0 at Gillingham this afternoon, despite featuring a number of first-team squad players. Mark Rawle played his first game of the season as he recovers from a groin strain, and Barry Quinn made his first appearance after being injured at Orient in August. Mark E’Beyer, Lee Molyneaux and Terry Parker also featured, with Simon Cox in goal and Michael Alexis and Jamie Brooks in midfield.

Julian Alsop has had a transfer request turned down by Graham Rix. Alsop was upset that the club had fined him for missing a compulsory training session on the Sunday after United lost 6-1 at Yeovil, claiming he had a prior engagement. Rix’s refusal to accept the request sends a strong signal that Alsop still features in his plans, although most likely only as cover for his top strikers.

Bristol Rovers are in trouble following some stupidity by their supporters during their game against Oxford on Saturday. Apparently four cigarette lighters were thrown at Chris Tardif from the home end during the second half and the referee has reported Rovers to the football league. It is not known what, if any, action the league might take against Rovers, but a heavy fine is the least they can expect following UEFA’s tough stance against Roma following a similar incident in their Champions League match against Dinamo Kiyev, when referee Anders Frisk was hit by a lighter thrown by a Roma fan.

In last night’s games, former Rage On sponsee Jamie Cook gave Maidenhead United the lead against Whitstable Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round. However Whitstable equalised five minutes from time and the game went to penalties, which Maidenhead won. Another former Rage On sponsored player, Rob Folland, has left Aberystwyth Town due to a kidney condition which has forced him to quit the game for the time being.