AS THE early season glut of fixtures finally subsides, the Combination is gradually taking shape and the challengers and strugglers are slowly being established.

With practically every team in the league already having dropped points, the season promises to produce competitive battles at both ends of each division.

We have started with nine points from a possible 12 while Marley's Wine Bar, Punch Hotel, Alex Hotel Reserves, Brinscall and Pleasington have also begun brightly.

With September almost completed, we will be able to welcome back our top scorer from last season who has had to miss our first seven fixtures due to suspension.

Last week's contributor, Ian Fraser, briefly touched on this issue and I wonder how many other local teams feel aggrieved at the severity of suspensions dished out to lads who play purely for pleasure.

The professional game has been laden with dismissals this season yet violent conduct, eg Roy Keane or Frank Lampard, only warrants a three-match ban.

If the Football Association thinks that offences of this nature warrant a five week ban then why don't they start implementing this system at all levels.

You'll soon see the pampered babies clean up their act.

Although I don't usually do requests I have been asked to mention Woodlands FC Sunday League team who, after a turbulent time last season have started this term with three wins out of four. Unfortunately, last Sunday's victory contained two goals from occasional Witton Albion starlet Martin Gupta (aged 42). To those of you who didn't' turn up last week, hurry back -- he won't stop telling anyone who'll listen all about it.