EL GLOSICO was a thriller. Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town produced a pulsating contest on Saturday.

The stirring, stunning game showed how good both teams are. They should both be in the Football League next season. It is shameful one will have to endure the lottery of the play-offs to get there. At least two automatic places should be available. The National League is more than good enough for this to happen.

Both teams wanted to win, but perhaps the desire not to lose was stronger and defences dominated.

Cheltenham’s defensive star was left back George McLennan. The Robins had realised how dangerous Kurtis Guthrie can be and to nullify this George was ordered to mark him closely. This he did, and to great effect. Kurtis scarcely featured.

Cheltenham’s goal will haunt manager Ady Pennock and his team. For the second time in a week it came from a free kick. The defensive wall proved porous giving goalkeeper Arnold little chance of saving a firmly struck direct shot. There is work to be done on the training ground to rectify this obvious fault.

Rovers' goal came from a determined run from right full back Dale Bennett. He found Jon Parkin whose skewed, mishit volley found Darren Carter. He made no mistake.

The introduction of Carter to the Rovers ranks has caused a tweak in formation. This is now 4-2-3-1 and gives every player a chance to play to their strengths.

Well done also to both managers for their post-match statements. Gary Johnson and Ady Pennock are genuine football men and have produced teams that are a credit to the game. It is our good fortune that both are a mere 30-minute drive from Cirencester's Market Place.

Cheltenham featured in much of my thinking this week. It was the autumn supper organised by the local branch of the Gloucestershire CCC. Much good news emerged.

Firstly the Cheltenham Festival next year will have 12 days of cricket. There will be two Championship games, two one-day fixtures and two days involving England Lions and two touring teams.

The battle to maintain a meaningful festival has been won but the war continues. So far GCCC is on the winning side. More details will emerge when the fixtures are published on December 4.

Work on floodlights at Bristol's County Ground commences on January 4 with the ECB bearing most of the cost. T20 games can now be played on a Friday evening which will result in increased gates. Equally welcome is the news that the club will make a small profit.

The Royal London Cup run sent an extra £90,000 into club coffers and there has been a rate rebate of £50,000. This will allow the squad to be strengthened and as well as the recent signing of Chris Liddle, a new batsman and “death bowler” are in the pipeline.

Members have done their duty and the question about renaming the team for T20s in Bristol has been heavily defeated. Common sense has prevailed.

All present at the supper heard this good news from chairman Roger Cooke who was supported by his deputy Tim Brain and board members Bill Griffin and Roger Gibbons.

Everyone went home joyous that the board realises the importance of the Cheltenham Festival and are doing their best to maintain it. Chris Dent gave the players' perspective and a good time was had by all.

It is to be hoped that Danny Kent is having a good time celebrating his motorcycling World Championship win. A letter from Ray Brassington published in the paper last week was exactly right.

Ray proposed Danny’s achievements are appropriately recognised. Many of us get a thrill when we see the gold letter boxes, painted in honour of our Olympic champions. Is there one in Tetbury that can be painted red, white and blue? Surely that is the least we can do.

Stow-on-the-Wold may soon have David Beckham but could Cirencester be welcoming Jonny Wilkinson? A leading member of the Red Lion mafia tells me he has been shown around properties to the east of the town, so watch this space.

Those of us who value the memory of licensee John Barnard still keep in touch and among them I am sure there is the expertise to answer this question.

It concerns Test umpire and Gloucestershire cricketer Barry Meyer whose obituary was in last week’s Daily Telegraph. What part did Barry play in the third round of the FA Cup in 1956? I know because I was there. A bottle of Barry’s favourite Rioja awaits the winner. The competition is open to all.