Old Owens 2 Knobs 3

A return to winning ways- just!
A strong side against a weakish team that only got weaker, as they succumbed to frailties and old age, proved an overall disappointment on the day. A thin line exists between self confidence and complacency. It is important to play the team game on the pitch not the fantasy game in the mind. A tight pitch- it doesn't change- and a gluey surface contributed to difficulties but really we should have been out of sight long before the end. The result was far too close. We made chances, loads, it's a pity Mike wasn't available he'd have revelled in this game.
Ron was asked to referee. "it'll be an honour" he cursed. End of his comeback.
Minutes in, Debby, after an initial piece of overguarding, decided to follow this up by a terrific leg removal job. penalty- comfortably converted. She was playing with energy and verve despite this lapse- pity. Strangely they were playing better for a while whereas we were debating whether or not to start. Some goalmouth scrimmages for us, the usual catalogue of two yard misses, some bad luck, a cute header by Matt, tipped over, then an equaliser. Matt executed a really mesmerising turn, flummoxing his marker before finding the corner easily. Their skilful forward, Del, succumbed to injury after half an hour and by half time rigor mortis had set in. I have to say I've never seen a corpse play better during the rest of the game. He nearly scored in the last minute. Imagine the headlines, "Knobs Stuffed by Stiff's Stump" or summat (Alternative choices on a postcard).
Second half, only one "team" in it. Yet still the floodgates failed to open. A penalty, awarded for a trip on Alistair, he said it was a push, shows you what I see! Disputed by them, "where's your glasses?" Moot point, they were in the dressing room, fat lot of use there. Steve converted, usual spot, normal pace.
A ball was then hoofed out high to beyond their penalty area for Matt to unerringly smash an unstoppable volley high into the net- 3-1. We attacked in hordes but could add no more. They could - with a scramble leading to a tap over the line. He was probably off side, receiving the ball with only one player between him and goal, Trevor being elsewhere upfield. Am I right? Too late I gave a goal- I had to.
Some good individual moments lost in a poor team effort. Humour was high though!
John Boyle, playing like Susan, showed he badly needed a game but bugger me he's away again next week! Gavin made some excellent runs and Richard fizzed around to some good effect.
A merry little scene in the clubhouse. Debby was notably absent no doubt hurtling Knebworthwards to check the off license prices of certain Italian wines. They are two bottles for a fiver! How much did I win D?
Next week away to Ashwell, probably on astroturf, play in rubbers. (Boots that is).
Pity the "B" team couldn't raise themselves for the Standon game, I called it off early to give them a chance to re-arrange something.

If you want the lowdown on sulphites- ask me.

Ron