Kempston 7 Knobs 10

This was a hard fought victory against a very good side where defences were always on top. The game was played on an artificial pitch which was only about two thirds the size of a normal grass pitch. The keys to success were again possession and work rate.

Ronald could not make the journey as he had to shoot off and as far as I know was in discussions about the vacant Portsmouth job, a dream job for him as he has always held them close to his heart according to a bloke down the pub. Anyway Ronald met us at Knebworth Station before we departed and left detailed instructions with captain Martin for us to play a 4-4-2 formation with 3 up front, Alastair playing right back and right midfield and MM on the bench.

The game got off to a strange start with players not convinced about playing the game on a very small artificial pitch and before Trevor could finish his latte and double chocolate muffin we were 2 down. We got back into the game with 2 goals from the 3rd forward in the 4-4-2 formation, a formation that later reverted to a standard 4-4-2 shape after I was put in my place by big bad Bully.

We went in at half time 5-4 up but before we could finish off our half time coffee and homemade scones we were behind again by 6 goals to 5. The team soon found its rhythm though and started scoring for fun before easing off at the end of a pulsating affair.

Goal of the game was from a superb Paul pass across the area which completely dissected the defence for the forward to score leaving Trevor completely flat footed and helpless in goal. Another fine goal was scored by Matt when he superbly headed home a cross from the now properly placed right midfielder. This goal was copied later in the day at White Hart lane when Bentley crossed for Pavlyuchenko to score.

Other excellent goals were scored by inspirational captain Martin, Matt, Mike, Chris W, Alastair, big bad Bully and Mark. Special mention must also be given to Chris G, Brendan, Paul & Trevor who all performed heroically.

All in all a good win and no more farcical than the victory against Garston so it is being officially recorded and everyone can be proud of playing in another knobs win.

My man of the match was Roy who worked the line tirelessly.

Saints 0 Knobs 4- league game

Not as easy as it looks. In fact not easy at all! They were good. So what does that make us? Pretty bloody good and hard working and by far the more creative and clinical finishers that's what.
They started the better, stroking the ball around on a nigh on perfect pitch and our early possession didn't look quite so polished. However we were kept in the game early on by some sterling individual efforts. At least we were knuckling down. Great!
We went ahead with a rather pleasant goal. Matt served Steve and the old one-two worked again as old Ben Gunn anticipating a superbly flighted 40 yard diagonal cross peeled off the back and dived to head in once again. How boring it's becoming. Nah it isn't, it's bliddy great!
The score held at 1-0 till half time.
Gavin, in Ron's rotting boots, suddenly came alive in the second half and notched himself two fine goals and together with a fine one from Matt we found ourselves a comfortable 4-0 up.
They pressed well but I thought as a team we defended very resolutely together with some excellent individual performances. Trevor instils confidence with his calling and handling of crosses, there was also one blinding save. Richard outran and outmuscled the roadrunner who eventually retired fatigued and beaten on points. Chris G was again excellent and Chris W played his best game of the season with a hangover. Good defending and goalkicks from Monsieur B and well done all the rest. Tony came on as sub and out of position contributed solidly, including a nice cross cum pass for Matt's goal.
Facilities palatial, nice showers and enormous dressing room. Unfortunately clubhouse was also enormous and packed and where it was spacious, outside, it proved a little too fackin cauld for the southern branch of the Knobs tree. Oh aye and plastic glasses! Giz the Station any day. I'll try again giz the Wicked Lady any day, some of us tried it, no great, full of scoffers eating Credit Crunch specials.
Home just in time to see Spurs lose to Stoke. They're too good to go down.
Next week we are away again, I'm afraid I somewhat cocked up this side of the fixture arrangements. This time we travel away to Kempston, good pitches. 9.20 at the Station. See you all then. We are now top of the league, I believe.

Ron ,

Therfield 1 Knobs 3

Good win with a little hiccup or two- presumably aftermath of Friday night.
Usually a weaker side fronted against this lot, usually with a similar result so my expectations of a 10-0 victory yesterday was a little out! Probably we were too purist, trying to walk the ball into the net, but perhaps that will hold us in good stead against better sides.
Gorgeous hot morning, awaiting kick off and a referee who had gone yem to find a whistle. Monsieur Bull, impatiently pawing the earth for a kick off that took an age to materialise got a few of them riled- fuck me this is Therfield. It didn't matter, a match fought well in good spirit- I hate those games. We played well for half an hour and their only sniff was a back pass from me that followed Ashley Cole some 24 hours earlier, apparently. Trevor courageously saved.
First goal excellent move, John Boyle made it (mine's a pint of Guinness) finished aplombishly by Steve Bull. Second a neat finish by Matt. Where are the floodgates?
Stuck that way till half time.
Big centre forward was a lumpy awkward thing, Chris Griffths excellent, take off your non-existent hat,
Over prettification meant the score remained static for most of the second half until they scored in a scrimmage on the goal line after a blatant push on Chris, I think. We put the result beyond doubt with a crap third, a header from John Boyle as he awaited a clattering that never came. He had to be there to do it! (Another Guinness please).
The pub in Therfield having gone to the wall meant we trekked into Royston and spent an hour in glorious Indian summer sun. John Twigg only one in his new Knobs sweatshirt- £15 from Steve Bull- or you don't get picked.
John Boyle revelled in his Ribenas with straws and Trevor enjoyed a Latte. Fuck me with a dead rabbit! Bill floated the idea of a trip to Chataillon sur Plage. it was the sun and the Latte wot done it.
Thanks for the lift back Brendan, despite being blocked in by Royston's version of Wild Bill Hickock, we got yem safe by 2.30.

Injured list:
Dave - cartilege out till December
Roy - everything in the leg region not covered by bandages and elastoplasts out till Oct 19th
Bill- hamstring out for two months.
Phil- hamstring and ankle out till New Year.
M...- out with syphillis, waiting till bollocks drop off naturally.
Mike- out with laser eye problem till Oct 19th?
Big Bob- out permanently due to fractured wllaet and blackballing.
Sunday league away to St Albans.

Moses

Old Owens 2 Knobs 2

I knew I'd forgotten something! It's when us very very, verrrrry old players play, on form and merit, I may boastfully add, that we tend to forget the other little things in life, like match reports and what's my willie for again.A good result against a good side.Only controversy when manager entered fray, fifteen minutes left to replace a cartilage damaged Dave (hello you cartilage damaged Dave- well played, see you in March). The referee awaiting his big moment approached me and said "watch your elbows this year", yer couldn't mek it up! Only thing I did was try to rip shirt off that young left back's back, other than that all was quite pleasant.We started slowly, but Trevor soon found his mouth. They were knocking the ball round well. They scored from a nicely flighted chip but we soon equalised with a snorter. John Twigg, at centre forward, manager's successful ploy, he tried and played very well, played the rampaging Alistair away down the right. A superb cross from the byline reached the far post where John, following in, rose like a gannet, hung in the air and let his nut butt home the equaliser.They scored again. The rain pissed down by the way but Ali's McLaren proved useful to me on the side.We gained a free kick some 31 and a half yards out. Steve advanced to rifle home a scorcher skimming from beneath the cross bar. 2-2 half time.Second half was a stalemate with them having the best chances with Matt and John left to forage well up front on mere scraps. Mind with minutes to go John was through before being hauled down for a slam dunk fuckin penalty, not given. I did remonstrate politely with the ref "yer friggin cheat" but he was having nowt of it. Well there you go. Honest that was so blatant I'd be be so embarrassed beyond measure if I hadn't given it against us, bliddy honest!Roy went off injured after a sterling game alongside Chris against two very skilful strong forwards (both vets I may add).One pathetic note. Paul came on at half time for Brendan, no that's not pathetic, I stayed off, things were going Ok. I took Mark off and Brendan back on after 65 minutes. I stayed on the line. With 15 minutes left Dave was injured and there was no sign of Mark so I was forced to take the track suit off and join in. It was still raining!With 8 minutes left Roy went off injured and they were pressing hard. Where was Mark, we were down to 10!!! Where were you Mark you didn't mention you were diappaering into the fuckin ether?We held out for a draw. Just as well. Some people put their bodies on the line in games. You can get hurt and sometimes some do. Personally if we'd lost a goal in those last minutes it would have been a real pisser in light of what had gone before. Howay the brave 10 men. I still don't know where Mark is by the way, whether he flushed himself down the bog or just went yem? Does he even know the result, does he care?Trevor was excellent in goal, he handles greasy balls with aplomb. The dirty devil!