Thanks to Mark Mills helping out to arrange a fixture last week, an event he must be glowing over. Just got it in before the cancellation season starts. A good game during which we were under par in terms of energy, interest (it seemed) and desire to mix any effort with a bit of football.
Still that's the story of life and Christmas is so close.
They played with Mark M in midfield and gave a debut to a raucous young filly called Debby Grunt Grunt who on this occasion was strong from the stalls and stayed the distance well. Not one for the National however, she has a split fetlock which may take time to heal if she wants to compete with the big boys and girls once again.
We took the lead within a minute with a superb FOOTBALLING move which I tried to commit to memory but have failed. Sufficient to say it went from midfield to fullback to midfield (Phil?) to wing into middle where Matt assisted the ball to the far post where Chris Wilson met it with a sweeping half volley to register our first of many, I thought.
Things got a bit bogged down till Alistair, making one of several of his mornings forays down the right, hoofed to the far post where an arriving Twigg just failed in his running effort to score, butting just wide and fortunately missing contact with that rusty iron goal post.
They equalised with a comical own goal, where our keeper Mark, disdaining his unintelligible "away away" cry (unintelligible to Brendan that is ) chose the cry " keeper" and was obliged by Steve H, chesting it past him into the goal, noone else closer than planet X!
Closecalls followed until Matt hurtled through robustly, slipped past their dying defender and netted firmly. They equalised from a scrambled goalmouth scrimmage until one of Alstiar's better crosses found the top far corner, 3-2 to us at half time. Matt went to watch Arsenal thus missing the second half during which his anonymity was noted. Did I upset Steve at half time? Didn't intend to. Two points of little consequence I suppose. I expect Steve always to be calling for the ball, he is invariably an excellent out as we seek to build play from defence to attack. Even if marked he is unafraid to receive the ball, control it and find measured passes, long or short. This asset is recognised by many of his teammates who thus seek him out. Great so far!
However there are many occasions, during the course of the game, where Steve is just one option of two or more and it is down to the player on the ball which option he chooses. Often another option is worthy, many times not, particularly some hopeless lump anywhere. And sometimes the player in possession feels the best option is to get rid, fearing their own competence in playing football through the midfield. In whatever event we stick together and regroup that is all I was trying to say. But the emotion of the occasion, cold freezing your voicebox or the translation from Geordie to some form of English perhaps intervenes!
Second half, kicking downhill, we lost 2-1 thus drew 4-4.
They equalised through a pretty, yet unchallenged move up the middle, at the end of which Mark Mills blasted an unstoppable twenty odd yarder high into our net. They continued well. Debby was comfortable, quickly recalling the names of all his teammates, an inbred incestuous family called "Ashwell" it would appear.
Mike returned from USA and from the start demonstrated a fine line in jet lag before finally running clear and putting us 4-3 in front. We hung onto that till late in the game when their lively forward miscentred from wide right and it drifted into the net for an unlikely equaliser.
The return will be on December 20th at either Ashwell (good pubs and Betjeman's favourite village) or Knebworth , noone's favourite village, or perhaps John Boyle's when the Station re-opens. Adjourned to Fox for potatoes, the Irish famine is officially over it seems. I left after two (pints that is) and hope noone had to breathe into the dreaded bag among those that remained.
Newcastle top of league 1 in case you have not noticed and Middlesborough have failed to win under over-hyped under sized Gordon Strachan.
Good luck to Roy with his operation hope he gets a surgeon this time not Mr Trussell.
Ron
Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Monday 30 November 2009
Sunday 22 November 2009
Blunham ex-Sandy 5 Knobs 3
Would you Adam and Eve it? Yes! Ok you are right, shit happens.
To the credit of both sides of mainly 'vets', to play so well and enthusiastically on a huge claggy pitch in such testing elements- wind, some sun, torrential rain but nae snow was a testament to a life after death mentality. Well done all. Nae games on the computers or Christmas shopping for these ould stalwarts.
Started with Chris Griffiths up front, perhaps a mistake kicking against the wind and sweeping rain in the first half, uphill to boot. Yet by the time I switched it midway through the half we had only conceded one goal from a corner kick scrimmage. They had a couple of distant and close shots and a corner headed off the line by the redoubtable Alistair and that was that.
I warned it wasn't going to be easy against this lot, second half, kicking down but with effort and the wind and rain at our backs we should prevail. The wind dropped, the rain stopped, the sun came out and they battled. They hit a post, semi- Trevor save (Trevor had pulled off two excellent saves from long rangers in the first half) and we fought on.
A long looping centre from the right found Darren beyond the far post and he equalised from an excellent firm header. They went ahead virtually from the kick off. 2-1, not altogether convincing defending eventually torn to bits by a neat finish. Ron on for John T, fucking linesman is a cauld position. Running clear in the box, the erstwhile linesman was found by a good cross from Kelwyn, why he didn't head? I don't know and instead his sidefoot crept wide with the target at his mercy. A compressed effort, shutting down their defence saw a ball wellied skywards out of their defence and it was met distance out by Alistair whose header looped long and teasingly beyond the keeper's reach. 2-2. Come on, now we press. But we didn't press enough, I felt we conceded too much ground backpedalling and allowing them to remain an attacking force.
They scored a third, I don't remember much about it, except pissedoffedness. Who was to blame?
Their fourth was crap. With no real challenge Trevor and Alistair tangled in front of a ball that was ours to clear, the ball trickled to a disinterested forward who tapped it into an open goal.
A pleasurable move saw us bring it back to 4-3. Ali to Ron, Ron to Steve on the right, then an exquisite cross to Matt at the far side of the penalty area, who headed home with some competence. Their 5th with minutes to go was a choker. A cross from the left which wouldn't have happened if we were merely defending and not attacking for an equaliser, arrived in the box where their bloke headed a smasher, albeit unchallenged. 5-3 final score. Well done the ref by the way.
Showers were hot and we adjourned to the usual Blunham pub for an excellent and deserved spread. We outnumbered them there. But luck was out and we even lost the dominoe card.
Home to savour the Stoke- Portsmouth game. Yi must be fookin jokin.
The lads did their best - remember people are always non available throughout the year at this level of football. SO- no excuses please.
R
To the credit of both sides of mainly 'vets', to play so well and enthusiastically on a huge claggy pitch in such testing elements- wind, some sun, torrential rain but nae snow was a testament to a life after death mentality. Well done all. Nae games on the computers or Christmas shopping for these ould stalwarts.
Started with Chris Griffiths up front, perhaps a mistake kicking against the wind and sweeping rain in the first half, uphill to boot. Yet by the time I switched it midway through the half we had only conceded one goal from a corner kick scrimmage. They had a couple of distant and close shots and a corner headed off the line by the redoubtable Alistair and that was that.
I warned it wasn't going to be easy against this lot, second half, kicking down but with effort and the wind and rain at our backs we should prevail. The wind dropped, the rain stopped, the sun came out and they battled. They hit a post, semi- Trevor save (Trevor had pulled off two excellent saves from long rangers in the first half) and we fought on.
A long looping centre from the right found Darren beyond the far post and he equalised from an excellent firm header. They went ahead virtually from the kick off. 2-1, not altogether convincing defending eventually torn to bits by a neat finish. Ron on for John T, fucking linesman is a cauld position. Running clear in the box, the erstwhile linesman was found by a good cross from Kelwyn, why he didn't head? I don't know and instead his sidefoot crept wide with the target at his mercy. A compressed effort, shutting down their defence saw a ball wellied skywards out of their defence and it was met distance out by Alistair whose header looped long and teasingly beyond the keeper's reach. 2-2. Come on, now we press. But we didn't press enough, I felt we conceded too much ground backpedalling and allowing them to remain an attacking force.
They scored a third, I don't remember much about it, except pissedoffedness. Who was to blame?
Their fourth was crap. With no real challenge Trevor and Alistair tangled in front of a ball that was ours to clear, the ball trickled to a disinterested forward who tapped it into an open goal.
A pleasurable move saw us bring it back to 4-3. Ali to Ron, Ron to Steve on the right, then an exquisite cross to Matt at the far side of the penalty area, who headed home with some competence. Their 5th with minutes to go was a choker. A cross from the left which wouldn't have happened if we were merely defending and not attacking for an equaliser, arrived in the box where their bloke headed a smasher, albeit unchallenged. 5-3 final score. Well done the ref by the way.
Showers were hot and we adjourned to the usual Blunham pub for an excellent and deserved spread. We outnumbered them there. But luck was out and we even lost the dominoe card.
Home to savour the Stoke- Portsmouth game. Yi must be fookin jokin.
The lads did their best - remember people are always non available throughout the year at this level of football. SO- no excuses please.
R
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Knobs 6 MBDA 2
Good game- it was the ref that won it!!!! All the usual emotional twaddle, I thought the ref had a good game, up with the play and gave what he saw with his usual blend of honesty and myopia. Howay lads give respect a chance or nae fucka will want to blaa thi whistle. "Mistakes av ad a few", but players want to see the mistakes they make and hear thi shite they talk- the wankers!
Anyway a still think it was an entertaining, enjoyable vets' football match on a good pitch on a lovely day. What more could you want in your dotage.
MBDA proved a much different side from last season, younger than us I would have thought and in the first half seemingly fitter, more energetic and better motivated. Thought they played some really good stuff and were unlucky to be only 1-0 up at the break. They were kicking uphill mind when controlled approach play seems somewhat easier on our pitch. They also had an essential benefit of playing well ie. they were keen to play and were ENJOYING themselves.
Mark pulled off one world class save first half, but could do nothing to prevent their well worked opener. Individually, elsewhere in the first half, execution of passes was not very good and workrate diminished in the general depression. Our back 4 (average age 52- a worked it oot) was under severe pressure.
Second half was ultimately a different story, though still well fought.
Playing better uphill, playing to strengths, with some luck and with great improvement individually, enjoyment returned and 'mares' were banished. Eventually we equalised with the front runners eager to exploit space behind the back 4 and Steve finding his passing range, Gavin raced away and smashed in an unstoppable shot from the right. Enjoyment was shortlived as they scored again direct from a free kick that's only virtue was that it was on target. Was it a free kick or did the boy dive. Well it was Roy who lunged but was the ref fooled? 2-1.
Shortly after came what they might regard the turning point a handball by their centre half leading to a penalty that Steve bobbled into his favourite place. Sorry Peter but my vision said you played the ball in surprise, with a deliberate thrust of your arm as it bounced on you. 2-2.
Still loads of time left for either side to win the game.
Brendan had exited for a golf tournament at half time to be replaced by John Boyle and now after another world class save Mark went off with a 'pinged' calf. John Twigg deputised. Were we up against it? Ye of little faith- John stopped a couple dead with different anatomical parts before producing a genuine save tipping a fierce shot round the post.
More goals came for us, two from 'assister' Matt, the header from a break and instant high cross from Gavin was particularly pleasing. Our best and probably only accurate cross of the season.
Steve banged in a free kick, from some distance, high into the top corner after Gavin , sprinting through was hauled back and Phil scored possibly our best constructed goal from 10 yards after sweet, unselfish play from Mark Mills and Matt. Mark M, on as a sub, played well and foraged hard. Phil hit the post from distance and the game finished. Hacker commits too many unnecessary fouls but he has a reputation to safeguard.
A disappointing turnout at the pub, when none of the opposition showed and we were punished with an extra tray of suasge and potatoes. Is salt free or something by the way?
Next week Blunham aka Sandy away at Moggerhanger - sounds enticing.
Ron- nearly 65
Anyway a still think it was an entertaining, enjoyable vets' football match on a good pitch on a lovely day. What more could you want in your dotage.
MBDA proved a much different side from last season, younger than us I would have thought and in the first half seemingly fitter, more energetic and better motivated. Thought they played some really good stuff and were unlucky to be only 1-0 up at the break. They were kicking uphill mind when controlled approach play seems somewhat easier on our pitch. They also had an essential benefit of playing well ie. they were keen to play and were ENJOYING themselves.
Mark pulled off one world class save first half, but could do nothing to prevent their well worked opener. Individually, elsewhere in the first half, execution of passes was not very good and workrate diminished in the general depression. Our back 4 (average age 52- a worked it oot) was under severe pressure.
Second half was ultimately a different story, though still well fought.
Playing better uphill, playing to strengths, with some luck and with great improvement individually, enjoyment returned and 'mares' were banished. Eventually we equalised with the front runners eager to exploit space behind the back 4 and Steve finding his passing range, Gavin raced away and smashed in an unstoppable shot from the right. Enjoyment was shortlived as they scored again direct from a free kick that's only virtue was that it was on target. Was it a free kick or did the boy dive. Well it was Roy who lunged but was the ref fooled? 2-1.
Shortly after came what they might regard the turning point a handball by their centre half leading to a penalty that Steve bobbled into his favourite place. Sorry Peter but my vision said you played the ball in surprise, with a deliberate thrust of your arm as it bounced on you. 2-2.
Still loads of time left for either side to win the game.
Brendan had exited for a golf tournament at half time to be replaced by John Boyle and now after another world class save Mark went off with a 'pinged' calf. John Twigg deputised. Were we up against it? Ye of little faith- John stopped a couple dead with different anatomical parts before producing a genuine save tipping a fierce shot round the post.
More goals came for us, two from 'assister' Matt, the header from a break and instant high cross from Gavin was particularly pleasing. Our best and probably only accurate cross of the season.
Steve banged in a free kick, from some distance, high into the top corner after Gavin , sprinting through was hauled back and Phil scored possibly our best constructed goal from 10 yards after sweet, unselfish play from Mark Mills and Matt. Mark M, on as a sub, played well and foraged hard. Phil hit the post from distance and the game finished. Hacker commits too many unnecessary fouls but he has a reputation to safeguard.
A disappointing turnout at the pub, when none of the opposition showed and we were punished with an extra tray of suasge and potatoes. Is salt free or something by the way?
Next week Blunham aka Sandy away at Moggerhanger - sounds enticing.
Ron- nearly 65
Monday 9 November 2009
Old Minchendenians 1 Knobs 4 - Report by Dave Jordan
Met late at 9.35 on a cold damp morning. Chris G nursing a hangover, Phil looking his evervescent self after his bout of Swine flu and Royston bringing both of his knees! Plenty of time to think about what lay ahead as we travelled over the border in to Londinium. We were met by what looked like some of the characters out of Lock Stock and 2 smoking barrels. The only thing missing were the "SHOOTERS" Bully was in a good mood surprisingly as he was sat next to Chairman Al in the changing room. We were told that we were playing 442 and that chairman Al would be making the changes. The pitch was a bit boggy, but flat which helped our supreme passing game. First 20 minutes we had all the game mentally and physically and our passing was sublime and they were chasing shadows and getting frustrated. Although their midfield was their strenght.They got their first on 30 minutes which was against the run of play. It was a long ranger which "swerved and dipped all over the place" so said Mark. Richard was playing like 2 men attacking at every opportunity and also having time to hold the ball up to make some good lay offs. Definitely my man of the match. He had a little skirmish with one of their defenders which ended up with a swollen eye the size of a golf ball.So they ended up with 10 men for the majority of the game which was their downfall having no subs to call upon. 10 minutes before half time Chris W finds himself in the box with the ball at his feet and calmly picks his spot to slot home the equaliser between two defenders and the goalie. Which was the least we deserved. A good constructive half time talk should have kick started the 2nd half, but they were playing some good football which made Mark work hard on the line. A great 2 legged save saw the ball go over the bar and some brave defending from Royston and Chris G saw off the oppositions attacks. Good contributions from Darren working well with Phil and John B combining well with Alistair saw some good attacking play down the flanks. No goals yet, but it was coming.The stand in manager made a double substitution with Dave and Brendan coming on for Richard and Darren. They found an 11th man from some where to fill in the back 4. We made a great run down the right with Alistair crossing the ball which ended up on the far side for Phil to chip it back for Matt to shoot, their goalie to save and John B to rifle the ball home at short range which gave us the upper hand. Ten minutes later Matty found the strength to nod on a lovely pass which found Dave motoring pass their back line to cooly slot the ball pass the keepers finger tips and off the post. They hadn't given up and were still playing some good football. We were standing as one resolute, concentrated and hungry to finish them off. Again we broke down one of their passing moves for Matty to play a through ball to Dave who bamboozled their defence to find himself on side in front of the keeper with 20 yards between him and the goal only to lob a perfect ball in to the back of the net. HE'S NOT A CENTRE FORWARD YOU KNOW. It was good night Vienna and no way back for the opposition. A long awaited win which puts us back on track for the league title. Everyone enjoyed the banter in the changing rooms as Alistair was threatening to "pull everyone off" not least of all their eleventh man who was towelling his scrotum only inches away!! A beer and some well presented sandwiches were consumed and we all drove back over the border to carry on the day. Dave went home for a wank (well deserved in my book) Then ended up on a drinking session with John B talking about their goals constantly. Next week MBNAZWYQTS. Enjoy your week ahead bonny lads.
Hugs and Kisses
Hugs and Kisses
Monday 2 November 2009
Knobs 0 Ware 2
First league defeat, three more games on the trot to define our league season- either we win them and go on to geriatric glory or we play for memories. Howay the lads. Which reminds me of the first goal conceded against Ware after 30 minutes yesterday. Does the cry from the keeper, "Away, away, away," suggest he is a sad Newcastle supporter who has lost his way yem or is it an entreaty to a defender to kick the fucking ball anywhere but somewhere? Answers on the end of your knobs please, the most fertile answer receiving grandstand ticketsto a rousing event of their choice- answers on a postcard please as to what entails a most pleasing arousing event. Dirty answers only- we are lads after all!
All agreed neither side deserved to lose. How satisfying.
It stood 1-0 until their second with 9 minutes to go-a clear shot from a corner that finished the contest. We never got such clear cut chances, despite our superior attacking play. Do we over egg the pudding in the final third. I've always tended to think so. Yet it has to be said that their defence was hard, together and committed so probably that cancels out our attacking flair. A couple of goalline skirmishes defied belief and probably summed up our lack of luck on the day. Perhaps Gavin should have had a penalty late on, I've thought about it a bit and perhaps I'm a little bit too unbiassed. Did he get the ball first before being assassinated by the goalie's attack? Probably. I think the modern law interpretation says penalty! All so quick, sorry Gavin, sorry lads, that would have been 2-1 with time to go but there you are, well played everyone. It was generally a very pacy game on a very slick surface with the rain falling incessantly from start to louse. I froze and am expecting the transplant by the end of the week from a baboon, now we're talking.
Roy was back as if he'd never been away. We played 4-3-3 somewhat successfully but lacked killer instinct in the box. A combination of no luck, poor poaching and often crap crosses after the hard work had been done. As I said their defence was very sound if unspectacular.
Darren had a tete a tete with the winger who is still lurking in Knebworth back streets looking for revenge. " He's been kicking me all game" he mutters to no noticeable effect. Just ignore him if you see him, I think he's harmless if a little deranged.
The margarine crust at The Fox really took the biscuit- pity it wasn't one - a dog biscuit that is, I might have ate it. But it looked better when decorated with litter and a crumpled fag packet.
Howay Fox, rationing's been over for 60 years!
John Boyle- don't be disheartened life is a learning curve. Ask Ledley.
All agreed neither side deserved to lose. How satisfying.
It stood 1-0 until their second with 9 minutes to go-a clear shot from a corner that finished the contest. We never got such clear cut chances, despite our superior attacking play. Do we over egg the pudding in the final third. I've always tended to think so. Yet it has to be said that their defence was hard, together and committed so probably that cancels out our attacking flair. A couple of goalline skirmishes defied belief and probably summed up our lack of luck on the day. Perhaps Gavin should have had a penalty late on, I've thought about it a bit and perhaps I'm a little bit too unbiassed. Did he get the ball first before being assassinated by the goalie's attack? Probably. I think the modern law interpretation says penalty! All so quick, sorry Gavin, sorry lads, that would have been 2-1 with time to go but there you are, well played everyone. It was generally a very pacy game on a very slick surface with the rain falling incessantly from start to louse. I froze and am expecting the transplant by the end of the week from a baboon, now we're talking.
Roy was back as if he'd never been away. We played 4-3-3 somewhat successfully but lacked killer instinct in the box. A combination of no luck, poor poaching and often crap crosses after the hard work had been done. As I said their defence was very sound if unspectacular.
Darren had a tete a tete with the winger who is still lurking in Knebworth back streets looking for revenge. " He's been kicking me all game" he mutters to no noticeable effect. Just ignore him if you see him, I think he's harmless if a little deranged.
The margarine crust at The Fox really took the biscuit- pity it wasn't one - a dog biscuit that is, I might have ate it. But it looked better when decorated with litter and a crumpled fag packet.
Howay Fox, rationing's been over for 60 years!
John Boyle- don't be disheartened life is a learning curve. Ask Ledley.
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