My guest at Wembley was Daria Kulesh, a Russian lady who interviewed me a few months ago for a magazine called "British Style". I now employ my own personal stylist, whose sole job is to keep my anorak suitably crumpled and covered in bird droppings.

Daria was a charming companion, as I knew she would be. She has made the life-changing journey from Moscow to Rickmansworth and gave me an insight into what it’s like to watch football when it’s 30 degrees below zero.

Saturday’s Vase tie at Merstham had more drama than you’d normally see in a whole season. Northern League Consett were 2-1 up with the three minutes’ stoppage time more or less played. Then their No.5 fouled a home player a yard or so inside the box with the ball miles away and an alert assistant referee swiftly raised his flag.

After a few minutes of pandemonium the No.5 was red-carded and a penalty was awarded. The Merstham centre-half and skipper hobbled forward to slam a nerveless kick high into the net and the ref blew for time about ten seconds later.

But it got even more exciting. Consett scored in the first minute of extra time and then went 4-2 up. "Surely we can’t throw it away again", said a Geordie standing next to me behind the goal. Well, the Surrey side scrambled in three goals in a surreal 13-minute period to win it 5-4 and book a place in the quarter finals for the first time. It was Vase-tastic!

Sunday morning’s Hayes Sunday League fixture between Perivale Residents Association and Islip Manor was entertaining too, though it only had one goal. A modest crowd (of six) at Ealing saw a 25-yarder into the top right corner settle the game in Manor’s favour.

Last night’s game at Market Road finished Duke of Edinburgh 1 Mercurial 1. Attendance 4.