Knobs 1 Kempston 2

As forecast on a blog comment, 1-2! This against a side who could play football at a snail's pace but perhaps that was what was needed on an unpredictable, bouncy pitch.
We were poor despite having several good chances to forge ahead and win after being 0-2 down.
Matt scored with a rasping shot so welcome back to the goals' trail.
I apologise for giving them their second goal. I guess I wasn't on the planet when Gavin was barged in the back in middair! Split second, I guess I thought he dropped it under pressure and then once given I couldn't give a free kick or their argumentative tossers would have gone bananas or even papayas and I didn't want that. Perhaps again I am harking back to my youth when the likes of Lofthouse and McParland's challenges on the goalie were acceptable in the original spirit of the game! Lord Kinnaird's challenge "shall we have hacking" has always been my mantra. Anyway I thought it was only a matter of time before we got our act together and scored six or seven. Twas not to be so, I influenced the game. As for that new stopwatch it's a fascinating little object I've been playing with it ever since- think I've got the hang of it. Certainly took my mind off the match- is it still going? what happens if it stops, and what's that compass doing on it? Oh it's facing north, I'm off yem, a wonder wot me da's hevvin fer dinner. Great Yorkshire puddins, shag end of lamb an tatties. Wonder what Gazza's doin?
Oh back to the game. We didn't play at our own tempo, which would have been far too much for them, until late in the first half and for pockets of the second. We tended to get very frustrated at the vagaries of the pitches bounce, frustrated with each other and frustrated with some of the mad mouthings of some of the snails.
Bill played well when he came on for them showing that their way of playing suited him more than ours. We must play to our strengths and on this pitch quick passing to the first call for the ball isn't necessarily one of them. Just take our time a little!
Which brings me to one notable absence in our performance yesterday- "talking to each other".
It was awfully quiet out there. A few meaningful calls will always be of assistance, a name to alert the receiver when you're about to pass to him, "time", "man on" even "man overboard" might be better than nowt. And remember the person calling for a pass is theoretically an option not a divine command. If you want to control the ball properly before you attempt to pass, it's probably a better option, certainly on a bouncy pitch.
Next week it's Sandy away in the league. The pitch will be worse in bounce than yesterdays and it's small, narrow and bog filled down one half. You still fancy going up there? Of course you do.
Let's get together and give them a game. A few key absences in personnel, a few challenges there- ideas welcome as always.
Training at Odyssey and gym on Tuesday and Thursday might be a good idea in light of next weeek's game. There's a lot of matches left yet. And remember, every hole's a goal and when yer gettin on every game's a treasure to savour there may not be many left for you before you take up zimmer racing, and that is a sad thought.

Ron