We all discovered something about Richard Orlu during our trip to Southport on Saturday.

My fellow defender admitted he couldn’t swim and he couldn’t have picked a more appropriate place to tell us all either – we were overlooking Southport beach.

Not that he would be in any real danger of falling in the water while we walked along the promenade.

The sea was nowhere to be seen, I mean nowhere – although the tide must come in sometime as there was a lifeguard hut by where the coach stopped.

I think the lifeguard would have to be a marathon runner to reach the sea before saving anyone judging by how far it was out!

The gaffer arranged for us to stop and stretch our legs with a walk along the promenade to break up the journey after the trip north started on a train from London to Wigan.

And I must admit that travelling by train to away games as far away as this one is certainly the way to go as it means we can get up, walk around and stretch out, something we all appreciate.

It ensured we arrived in good shape in Wigan before we boarded a coach for Southport.

The break at the beach went down well, not that Mitch (Walker) realised we’d stopped – he stayed asleep on the coach!

It was also good to get in some fresh air although some lads were disappointed there wasn’t enough time to arrange the inaugural donkey ride derby!

The game itself showed the strength of our squad, when you see the likes of Aswad and Nabi coming on and changing the game in the latter stages.

We finished strongly and feel we were unlucky not to get more than a point.

Now we are all looking forward to Saturday’s trip to Cheltenham and what will be a good test for us, one I feel we will come through strongly.

I also have a few former team-mates who play for them and it always gives the game an extra edge when you play against people you know.

Until next week. COYW!