Hello again, I hope you are well. All games played today and considering the rain we had midweek that is a real bonus.

I have had numerous complaints about the council pitches, and have passed these on to the relevant departments. I know that the recent wet weather has not helped but we deserve better for the money we are paying and I will not let these issues drop.

Its early days but the big three in the Strathmore Glazing Premier Division are setting the pace. Reigning Champions Douglas Athletic made it two wins from two with an odd goal win against Michelin while old rivals Dundee Social had to come from behind to eventually see off a hard working Sandys side. Hat-tricks here from Sandy’s Monday Ogbobe all in the first half with Neil Bone bagging a treble for the Social as the dark blues won 7-5. Cutty Sark left it late before they picked up full points against Bonargrove. Lee Hunt hit a treble for Cutty as they won 6-4.

McAlpine edged out Dundee Vics by the odd goal in five. This was a cracking game between these two, while Tayport got their season underway by winning 4-2 against Douglas LFP.

The premier division with 11 teams means that until the respective cup competitions get underway along with the Scottish and Tayside there will be an odd team. This week will see Dundee Vics without a game. Not Ideal, but at the moment we just have to get on with it.

The Pilot Garage First Division saw another late show from Angus Thistle. Two goals in the last few minutes salvaged a point from Bayview who had led 3-1.

FC Planet could be the dark horses this season. They should have had something from last weeks game but lost out to the Jags, no mistake this week as Ferry Innter were hit for six.

Blackness and Gauldry shared 11 goals with the Fifers hitting six and taking the points over the water. Man of the Match was Blackness Paul "Ando" Anderson who turned in a magnificent performance… well that’s what it says in the match report compiled by… er… Paul "Ando" Anderson.

At the end of last season, Harlequins Alan "Midweek Games" Ramsay told me he was to take a back seat with the team and allow a new management team to run things. Well so far so good Harlequins - played two won two. The latest a 5-2 win over Doc Ferrys. Is it just a coincidence Alan?

Well I will finish now lads and lasses and lets hope the rain eases off, the pitches need some TLC from the "Cooncil".

First day of a new season and deep joy: the same old problems of many previous seasons. Referee call offs, free weeks already being requested, results not being phoned in and a no show!!! Yep some things just never change. On the subject of free weeks, if you are asking for a free date, count that as a midweek game next April or May. I have asked before for teams to only ask for a free date as an absolute worst case. Some teams bless them do, others do not. Well so be it the mid week fixture lists will just get longer and longer.

So let’s concentrate on the positives from the big kick off. The Champions hit five against Crescent Star, but Jocky was honest enough to say that the score probably flattered his side. Never mind a great start to the defence of their crown with new signing Terry Gray hitting a double, Davie “Ticker” Simpson, Russell ‘ the hedge ‘ Headridge and Paul “bend it like” Dolan all on target.

Premier new boys Sandys took an early lead against Cutty Sark through Monday Ogbobe but Cutty came back to take the points with new signing Grant McIntyre on the mark as were Bobby Cummings and Lee Hunt. A promising start for both sides. Angus Thistle who just missed out on promotion last term started with a win but it took a last minute goal from Mark “Hirdy” Hird to see off FC Planet. “Mr Jags” Stewart Hutt said that a draw would have been a fair result but a win is a win especially as this was a game the Jags would have lost a few months ago. Logie Club turned in a fine win over Blackness. New signing Chris Reid notched a hat trick with Colin Cussick also on target.

As ever there will be a full report on scorers etc in Friday nights Tele. If you have anything for the column then please leave it on the answer machine.

The first monthly meeting of the season is Monday 18th August and it is vital that your club is represented at this and at all the future monthly meetings. These meetings are our only chance to communicate face to face and for you to find out cup draws / Tayside meetings etc as well as picking up forms / receipts etc etc etc. You MUST also keep up to date with your fees / insurance payments and any fines which hopefully will not come your way.

Refs list and signing forms are available to download from this web site please make use of this facility.

In the coming weeks I will be posting a page on what I will call “The A to Z of Morning football”. A look at the crazy, zany, wonderful world of Sunday Morning Amateur Football as seen through the eyes of someone who has witnessed over the years the hairy, the scary, the magical, the sad, the happy and the downright ridiculous.

Got an email from my old mate Ronnie Dittrich asking how I enjoyed my holidays in Lochee Benidorm. I had a great time and if you go in the winter months then Ronnie and his mates will give you a wave as they go by on their battery scooters!!!!

Anyway I will finish for now lads and lasses,take care and see you at the meeting.
Cheers, Alex