Off the Ball by Steve Dunthorne -- THAT blasted fixture computer is at it again!

Not content with sending Morecambe all the way to Scarborough on a Tuesday night, the clever machine has managed to schedule the Shrimps' two longest away trips within a fortnight of each other, at a time when the south is also conveniently under 10 feet of water.

But all of this begs a question I've wanted to ask for years. Is there a good time to go to Dover, Yeovil, Woking et al?

In my opinion there is, but not every season in the league. Long away trips dissuade the loyal fans or force them to part with a small fortune, while the clubs are faced with a choice of a very early start or a night at a hotel, either the unpalatable or the ridiculously expensive.

And when were Lancaster and Morecambe last paired in the league? They haven 't met since that memorable FA Cup tie a couple of years ago, but the fans would relish the chance to face off on a more regular basis without having to wait for the vagaries of the draw.

It may seem like a step backwards, but for me increased regionalisation is the answer.

Few other countries of England's size have five national leagues. The economics of it just don't make sense and never will do. Yes, its nice to take on teams from far away lands of which we know nothing, but it gets a bit boring when we do it every week.

It would be much better to scrap regionalisation in knockout competitions and make those FA Trophy trips to Hereford an even bigger occasion.

What's more, the leading teams from the current Northern Premier League would be involved, meaning derby days would return to Giant Axe and Christie Park.

So, it would cost less, bring in more through the gates and make cup competitions an even more exciting experience. So what are we waiting for?

Speaking of cups, Morecambe face a dogged battle as they begin the road to wherever-the-final's-being-played-now-the-twin towers-have-been-knocked-down (sob).

Their opponents will be snapping at their heels, but I hear their bark is worse than their bite.

On a serious not, spies tell me that Bedlington are not to be underestimated, a big spending team from a hotbed of football at all levels. Lancaster City's have already been caught out in a trip into the unknown, let's hope Morecambe make it through and pull a cracker in the first round proper.

Oxford again anybody?