Knobs 2 St Helens 3

They beat us. THEY beat US! I still cannot take it in. The hoofing and booting side, all energy and mouth beat us. Despite loosing the valuable assets of Martin and Richard overnight, we still should be capable of outwitting such a side as theirs! But we didn't. So we go on to the next game v Sandy at home in the league next week, c'est la vie- going on and hopefully upwards toward a threshold of enjoyment that will hold you in good stead for the initial days of the next working week or if retired, like some of us, toward a feeling of relevant contact with a world that has passed us by.
We were 2-0 up thanks to a headed goal from geriatric boy and a knock in from the ubiquitous Matt, following, dare one say it, a footballing move. Nice!
They tried, it was only a matter of time that they would get some joy from their singular tactic of hoying it in the box and let the devil take the hindmost. A soft first goal, a swervy second and then a deserved pressurising third gave them the spoils. We played some reasonable football going forward and were unlucky in chances carved out but it was not to be.
Some pleasant banter and scything fouls spiced the hour mark. Their wee midfielder takes on my mantle with the accolade of "cunt of the week"- so much more sweeter if we'd have won.

Seriously now. Qu'est ce que c'est? From now on, until I'm de-clawed by the committee, this is how we're going to play it. All games allow us to roll on and roll off substitutes, friendlies or league. In the league I will, as usual, try to assemble a squad for the following Sunday which I will make public by Saturday at the latest. On the Sunday I will pick the first 11 to start with others as subs. Unlike friendlies (yes I know they're all supposed to be friendlies) I will only use the subs when considered relevant in proper match conditions. This could mean that some players face the possibility of standing on the line for 90 minutes, like in the old days when yi wer young at heart, fancy free, oozing testosterone and ultimately generally pissed off with a sedentary role. Knaa the feeling. Course yi dae! Subs, though still able to roll on and off, will be used tactically and in the event of injury. We don't just roll up on a Sunday with a divine right to get on at some stage. Is that fair or is it not? If a player, considering this policy, doesn't want to be involved they can drop out for the week. The option is theirs. Every one signed on will get their fair share of games over a season of 34 games anyway. This is my considered view of a fair way to marry fun and serious intent over the next 6 months. Please comment before the committee do!

Thank you Mike for refereeing us yesterday- not always a thankful task. I, myself, will sacrafice myself to this role once again next Sunday, unless diarrhoea, babysitting roles, hangovers or injuries intervene and require me to attempt to participate on the beloved pitch. (Nae better feeling as yer approaching the grave by the way).

Football is fun but there always serious issues to address to ensure fun, and victories, ensue. And, not all of us agree, therein lies the rub!

Black eye giver