Knobs 2 Old Pretenders 2

As it happens an evenly matched game, which shouldn't have been , but with us actually hanging on at the end! A draw which felt like a defeat, is that because we all think we're better than we are? Almost probably. almost certainly on the day.
They started and finished with ten and though there were murmurings about certain of their 'young' lads afterwards, John, their central midfielder is 61. looks almost as young as me. Cough, splutter!
In the first minute Matty was slickly put through only to be foiled by a good save by their erstwhile midfielder, now competent keeper. From an accurate ensuing corner Mike glanced a header wide. My 10-0 prediction was on course as I stood nearby fiddling with my flag. Some neat moves followed from us without them even threatening to cross the half way line never mind disturbing Phil's rest in goals. Another corner saw our first goal from the trusty Twigg head.
It must be said at this stage that whoever chose this particular beachball to play with wants their veterans' credentials thrust to the place where the sun never shines. Turned out it was Mary's ball! A far cry from sodden leather, laces and the cock sticking out threatening brain cells right, left and centre.
Second goal arrived, after a cross from the right was sent swirling into the far corner from the head of Mike- Mary's Dad- well practised with that ball!
An inebriated Dave was switched a minute before half time with Ron- the ensuing shite means I'll probably never play again. I don't care now I've done my stint, had my fill. (Untrue actually). What I need is a team like Old Pretenders who are never complete, always short and pleased to have the bare 11 on the field. That's probably not just my problem as time flows by.
An untroubled half hour into the second half, with not a few of our shots, well engineered, but flying perilously close to Bill's windows in Oakfield Avenue, saw the heroic Roy limp off to be replaced by Dave- 45 last week- but not before he had fairly hung, drawn and quartered their young centre forward. Thereafter we conceded two very poor goals - none more so than their first. Terrible, ageing reactions to covering that could easily have been achieved. Nowt to do with age actually, all to do with thinking and hoping someone else will cover this problem- the someone else usually being the hard working Chris Griffiths.
Their equaliser came from a break from our profligacy in attack. Too much casualness. Eventually in our area some kind of bobbly knock carried the ball over the line at 1mph. Goalkeeper could not be faulted however, so what happened there lads?
We thought we were good enough- we weren't. We thought we'd win easily, we should have but didn't. We think we're good but we're not if we don't play to our strengths and minimise our weaknesses. We should have got the ball on the deck far more and passed it. We are good at that, but first time passes and flicks are a risk at any level and we are not at any level. Even if we concede a bit of momentum or risk getting caught in possession we should endeavour to get the ball down first and then maximise our chances of playing it accurately and, vitally, keeping possession. After all the lot squabbling for possession are vets also and are no more the sprightliest!
Thanks to Alistair for reffing. No conteroversies but hey you don't expect any against Old P's.
A good turn out at the Station where they seemed to think we could operate quite nicely on platefuls of crisps better employed to make bio fuel.
Ron hardly made a mistake!

Knobs 1 Goldings 0

At last a win and a delightful spring morning in addition- the equinox. A match teeming with bonhomie. Phil reluctantly in goal, untroubled, Ron linesman, non troublesome and John Twigg reffing, saturated in compliments and bon mots throughout. "Thank you referee you are certainly no cheating cunt" and "oh swipe me down with a brolly referee I nearly demurred at your decision til I realised you were oh so right- I'll buy you a sherbet in Ye Jolly Olde Station afterwards."
We started well some nice incisive moves with no finish before becoming bogged down in the heat. I thought we were becoming complacent and feeling it to be a matter of time before we scored a few and won. Alistair assures me it was the heatwave. After all we bystanders have never experienced such stamina sapping condtions before so shurrup Ron. Gavin came on for a drained Darren and immediately slalomed through before setting up a glorious chance, which was missed by one of the M and M's. It was conceivably a poor cross of course! They, Goldings' youngest ever side, rarely threatened and Phil hardly had to make a save worthy of the name. Huffing and puffing continued into the second half until an incisive move started by a class Steve pass went from Gavin to Matt who then unselfishly squared to John B who netted, comfortably or was it other than that? Dave had a terrific game defensively and in attacking support, Roy's final contribution a death defying tackle showed us what we have missed and Chris G had another steady perceptive game. Hopefully all enjoyed the outing, but don't know why St John gave me my whistle back at the end, he'll be number one blower in the future.
A moderate pub turn out and sandwiches late in arrival were neverthelees devoured. Pity the opposition had all departed by then. Next week it's Old Pretenders at home and then a break for Easter Sunday unless anyone fancies the Dads and Coaches?

Knobs 1 Sandy 2

E- mail from Andy in the league- what went wrong, in that according to the Sandy sneak it was a game teeming with bonhomie, good nature and played in the right spirit!
Right spirit for who?
I apologise to Richard and John for their needing to hold onto me. Never again.
What happened? Well after constant verbals for 80 odd minutes and having left the field I suppose I took offence to their 'player'-manager calling me a cheat on behalf of my team, repeatedly. So I thought I'd push him and see if his balls were anywhere near his mealy mouthed gob. A duel in the sun to defend my integrity. Oh foolish boy! Don't think he was up for it, pity or perhaps not.
They scored 2 we scored 1, a penalty by Steve. We missed a few and their goalie was up for it also. I thought Knobs were better, though their boy Wayne, up front was a handful.
Was it a penalty? I thought so, soft but a definite penalty. Please comment re your own view of this incident. Didn't their linesmen have good games? Oh well, guess I won't be involved in the grubfest at Blunham for a while.
Anyone for referee from now on- a very rewarding pastime.