Game away to Guilding Morden 11 am kick off.
The new season starts here, or the old season ends?
Howay you young lads rally to the call and hev a bevvy post match.
Hey that Sepp Blatter what a politician! Money and greasy palms makes this world of ours go round- but in which direction.
The ego direction, you can't criticise that. It seems to be human nature.
Come along to the Leisure centre every Thursday and kick a sorta ball round the adjourn to the Lytton Arms for a post prandial pint or 7.
Love you all.
Hey that test match - what sort of game is that? Slow, slow, no quick, a bit more slow then wipeout in a flash of a spark.
Just like us at pre puberty.
Well done Swansea, ptide of Wales.
Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Monday 30 May 2011
Monday 23 May 2011
Knobs 2 Old Elizabethans 2
Final game of the season and final blog. Hail me hearties. The score draw specialists, yet we've only lost one in the last fourteen or so Kenny reliably tells me.
A fine, very windy day doesn't make it easy on May's bumpy pitches. So well done both teams turning out and playing in a sporting, good natured contest.
First half we played against the gale and were frustrated in our efforts to keep the ball on the deck and find men accurately. I had the sneaking feeling we weren't trying to find our men with any great desire preferring to seek out killer balls, not easy, or putting stuff into spaces where noone was willing or even able to venture. Yet we had chances Matt and Ron ballooning skywards and Phil nearly deceiving their competent keeper with a wickedly dipping free kick. Our competent keeper Monsieur Twigg (Jihn) was tested by low shots which he handled convincingly. They had five subs we had two- any advantage?
Half time 0-0.
Second half we had the gale behind us and threatened. Perhaps we ought to have pressed as a team far more as they continuously attempted to play the ball out from the back. Richard made a fine run down the middle but had his shot smothered by the keeper. John cut in and let fly a screamer which was tipped over and Ron never anticipated Dion Dublin fluffing an easy clearing header, farpost at a corner and was rooted to the spot watching the ball trickle away for a goal kick. Fucking nugget. Then soon we found ourselve two down with twenty minutes to play. A shot hit the bar fell to the goal line and was tapped in by the nearest proactive presence, one of their men. Their second was a sweetly struck snapshot out of nothing.
Our comeback took place when Ron took himself off- what meaning is this? Tony advanced and a lashed a long distance bullet which the keeper saved but spilled and Richard popped home to offer us respite. Phil played a ball round the full back to Richard who crossed hard only hitting their defender, presumably on the hand or arm , which is why Alistair awarded a penalty. Harsh? The palpably injured Steve Bull found his usual spot with great accuracy, just as well since the goalie nearly touched it. 2-2 and that is how it remained.
Thank you all for being such good sports except for leaving John to take the kit home to Nicky once again!
Into the legendary Legion where both sides attended. Only six!
The blog will continue into the summer with stories of training escapades, bike rides and new signings by Darren, development officer and minute taker.
See you on the 10th for presentations at some as yet unidentified Stevenage groghouse.
A fine, very windy day doesn't make it easy on May's bumpy pitches. So well done both teams turning out and playing in a sporting, good natured contest.
First half we played against the gale and were frustrated in our efforts to keep the ball on the deck and find men accurately. I had the sneaking feeling we weren't trying to find our men with any great desire preferring to seek out killer balls, not easy, or putting stuff into spaces where noone was willing or even able to venture. Yet we had chances Matt and Ron ballooning skywards and Phil nearly deceiving their competent keeper with a wickedly dipping free kick. Our competent keeper Monsieur Twigg (Jihn) was tested by low shots which he handled convincingly. They had five subs we had two- any advantage?
Half time 0-0.
Second half we had the gale behind us and threatened. Perhaps we ought to have pressed as a team far more as they continuously attempted to play the ball out from the back. Richard made a fine run down the middle but had his shot smothered by the keeper. John cut in and let fly a screamer which was tipped over and Ron never anticipated Dion Dublin fluffing an easy clearing header, farpost at a corner and was rooted to the spot watching the ball trickle away for a goal kick. Fucking nugget. Then soon we found ourselve two down with twenty minutes to play. A shot hit the bar fell to the goal line and was tapped in by the nearest proactive presence, one of their men. Their second was a sweetly struck snapshot out of nothing.
Our comeback took place when Ron took himself off- what meaning is this? Tony advanced and a lashed a long distance bullet which the keeper saved but spilled and Richard popped home to offer us respite. Phil played a ball round the full back to Richard who crossed hard only hitting their defender, presumably on the hand or arm , which is why Alistair awarded a penalty. Harsh? The palpably injured Steve Bull found his usual spot with great accuracy, just as well since the goalie nearly touched it. 2-2 and that is how it remained.
Thank you all for being such good sports except for leaving John to take the kit home to Nicky once again!
Into the legendary Legion where both sides attended. Only six!
The blog will continue into the summer with stories of training escapades, bike rides and new signings by Darren, development officer and minute taker.
See you on the 10th for presentations at some as yet unidentified Stevenage groghouse.
Monday 16 May 2011
The Real Thing - Litlington Vets 3 Knobs 3
Sunday morning and current manager Sir Ronald had gone missing, nowhere to be seen and no way to contact him. I was wondering what we would do without our spiritual leader until Dandy Dave arrived raring to go and with team sheet to hand. I picked up the bag of Orange shirts and off we went with 13 shirts for our 14 outfield players.
On arrival the team sheet had obviously been quickly pinned to the wall and I realised to my horror that I had talked myself out of the starting 11 and yet again I was warming the bench and even worse young Tommy had not even made the squad. And there was me thinking that I had cemented my place in the team with my enthusiasm and commitment to the Knobs cause on the journey with Dave. Brendan went off to fetch the kit bag and lucky enough there was a spare Orange shirt within. All appeared to be fine and dandy until Darren H was left standing there in his Y fronts with no shorts in sight. Luckily Litlington had a spare pair of extra large shorts and the game could commence.
We started brightly against a good side and Andy finished well for the first goal. Shots were then raining in on goal, most went wide, some went over and the rest were well saved by the keeper. It was non-stop, not end to end as there was only one goal but it was exciting stuff nonetheless. Then I looked away from my game with Tommy just in time to wake up the rest of the subs and see Litlington equalise.
Bully then took a fall on his knee and Dandy Dave had his first decisions regarding substitutions to make. I was on and as is becoming the norm I was soon involved in an exchange of words, rest assured to Scott of Litlington that I was talking about the rowdy crowd directly behind and not to him. We were soon 2-1 up with another goal from Andy, a cross, I mean shot that sailed high into the net. By the end of the half it was 2-2 when we conceded a sloppy goal.
More substitute decisions for Dandy Dave at half time but he coped well with all the opinions directed his way from our expertly knowledgeable squad. The second half was off and I was fully focussed and nothing was going to interrupt my concentration on the remainder of the game ahead. It was end to end stuff, very fast and furious but with much quality on display. I kept thinking how amazing it was to see such balance and agility from young footballers, this game was a feast for the eyes and what makes this game so loved by all. Tommy and his new mates were putting on an exhibition of football and I cannot overstate how enjoyable it was to behold.
I am reliably informed that the highlight of the second half was when Uncle Phil scored after expertly controlling the ball from well outside the area and hitting an unstoppable left foot volley over the keeper and into the top corner. Another sloppy goal and it was all level again. Huff and puff we did and huff and puff they did and I am again reliably informed that it was an entertaining game between 2 decent evenly matched sides. Starting 11 were Mark N, Darren A, Brendan, Tony, Jihn T, Dandy Dave, Bully, Chris W, Phil, Richard and Andy with subs John B, Paul, Darren H and Mark M. After the game the Crown pub was well attended by both sides and we were all treated to masses of sausages, chips, bread & butter and some other bits. What a pleasant day indeed!
We seek him here, we seek him there but where was and is Sir Ronald – in Pembrokeshire, in Somerset, hiding in his bedroom with his ear muffs on or at the end of the garden with liquor flowing?
On arrival the team sheet had obviously been quickly pinned to the wall and I realised to my horror that I had talked myself out of the starting 11 and yet again I was warming the bench and even worse young Tommy had not even made the squad. And there was me thinking that I had cemented my place in the team with my enthusiasm and commitment to the Knobs cause on the journey with Dave. Brendan went off to fetch the kit bag and lucky enough there was a spare Orange shirt within. All appeared to be fine and dandy until Darren H was left standing there in his Y fronts with no shorts in sight. Luckily Litlington had a spare pair of extra large shorts and the game could commence.
We started brightly against a good side and Andy finished well for the first goal. Shots were then raining in on goal, most went wide, some went over and the rest were well saved by the keeper. It was non-stop, not end to end as there was only one goal but it was exciting stuff nonetheless. Then I looked away from my game with Tommy just in time to wake up the rest of the subs and see Litlington equalise.
Bully then took a fall on his knee and Dandy Dave had his first decisions regarding substitutions to make. I was on and as is becoming the norm I was soon involved in an exchange of words, rest assured to Scott of Litlington that I was talking about the rowdy crowd directly behind and not to him. We were soon 2-1 up with another goal from Andy, a cross, I mean shot that sailed high into the net. By the end of the half it was 2-2 when we conceded a sloppy goal.
More substitute decisions for Dandy Dave at half time but he coped well with all the opinions directed his way from our expertly knowledgeable squad. The second half was off and I was fully focussed and nothing was going to interrupt my concentration on the remainder of the game ahead. It was end to end stuff, very fast and furious but with much quality on display. I kept thinking how amazing it was to see such balance and agility from young footballers, this game was a feast for the eyes and what makes this game so loved by all. Tommy and his new mates were putting on an exhibition of football and I cannot overstate how enjoyable it was to behold.
I am reliably informed that the highlight of the second half was when Uncle Phil scored after expertly controlling the ball from well outside the area and hitting an unstoppable left foot volley over the keeper and into the top corner. Another sloppy goal and it was all level again. Huff and puff we did and huff and puff they did and I am again reliably informed that it was an entertaining game between 2 decent evenly matched sides. Starting 11 were Mark N, Darren A, Brendan, Tony, Jihn T, Dandy Dave, Bully, Chris W, Phil, Richard and Andy with subs John B, Paul, Darren H and Mark M. After the game the Crown pub was well attended by both sides and we were all treated to masses of sausages, chips, bread & butter and some other bits. What a pleasant day indeed!
We seek him here, we seek him there but where was and is Sir Ronald – in Pembrokeshire, in Somerset, hiding in his bedroom with his ear muffs on or at the end of the garden with liquor flowing?
Sunday 8 May 2011
Knobs 2 Walkern 2
Team Paul; Darren A, Chris G, Tony, Brendan; Chris W, Martin, Steve, Phil; Jihn T, Richard.
Subs Gerry for Phil (45), Phil for Steve (60), Steve for John (65). Sub not used Mark (Carrow on the mind).
On the top pitch we kicked toward Stevenage first half with a wind at our backs. Some neat play ensued. Looking OK. A 45 yarder from Phil sped over. We looked accomplished at the back.
The pitch was firm but less bumpy than last week. Then a misdirected diagonal pass from Phil bounced in the penalty area, took off vertically and soared over the keeper. So it remained till half time, though they did have a rising rasper clear our bar and Phil and Chris had a couple of noteworthy long rangers..
We went two up when a pacy free kick from Steve was headed upwards by their centre half. They watched as it fell to Gerry who left the way clear for Richard to smash home from 6 yards.
All still comfortable. A run by their full back saw him pull the ball back into the 6 yard box where it unfortunately took a bounce off Tony and trickled home. Was it out before the cross ? Probably. Asked whether it was out their man declined to aver. Mark on the line could not see from the far side, too many daisies in the way- goal stood.
Their equaliser was as bizarre as it was indescribable, so I'll not try too hard. Suffice to say Tony was ushering the ball out for a goal kick whereupon Paul, desperate to keep the game alive dived to save us from our own goal kick. He kept the ball in play at the expense of giving their bloke a tap in from two. But hey, he played well.
Steve took a nasty fall. Bet his shoulder's popped out. But he came back on. Did anyone comment, I didn't hear.
An exciting meet in the Legion about 20 odd of us. Sandwiches and crisps provided by Maggie this week. Not enough. Everyone satisfied with the venue, except a curmudgeonly Phil.
Next week away to Litlington 10.30 ko where we may have a new centre forward deputising.
The week after, the season's final game and mine, probably forever, hope we can field a side what with christenings and Spurs final home game.
Toodle pip!
Subs Gerry for Phil (45), Phil for Steve (60), Steve for John (65). Sub not used Mark (Carrow on the mind).
On the top pitch we kicked toward Stevenage first half with a wind at our backs. Some neat play ensued. Looking OK. A 45 yarder from Phil sped over. We looked accomplished at the back.
The pitch was firm but less bumpy than last week. Then a misdirected diagonal pass from Phil bounced in the penalty area, took off vertically and soared over the keeper. So it remained till half time, though they did have a rising rasper clear our bar and Phil and Chris had a couple of noteworthy long rangers..
We went two up when a pacy free kick from Steve was headed upwards by their centre half. They watched as it fell to Gerry who left the way clear for Richard to smash home from 6 yards.
All still comfortable. A run by their full back saw him pull the ball back into the 6 yard box where it unfortunately took a bounce off Tony and trickled home. Was it out before the cross ? Probably. Asked whether it was out their man declined to aver. Mark on the line could not see from the far side, too many daisies in the way- goal stood.
Their equaliser was as bizarre as it was indescribable, so I'll not try too hard. Suffice to say Tony was ushering the ball out for a goal kick whereupon Paul, desperate to keep the game alive dived to save us from our own goal kick. He kept the ball in play at the expense of giving their bloke a tap in from two. But hey, he played well.
Steve took a nasty fall. Bet his shoulder's popped out. But he came back on. Did anyone comment, I didn't hear.
An exciting meet in the Legion about 20 odd of us. Sandwiches and crisps provided by Maggie this week. Not enough. Everyone satisfied with the venue, except a curmudgeonly Phil.
Next week away to Litlington 10.30 ko where we may have a new centre forward deputising.
The week after, the season's final game and mine, probably forever, hope we can field a side what with christenings and Spurs final home game.
Toodle pip!
Sunday 1 May 2011
Knobs 2 Ashwell 2
It was hot, it was hard, breezy and bumpy. The heat played havoc with brain and feet. Yet a game was played for all that.
Struggled to get a team out but with the help of father and son combo, the Martins, we managed 11.
An eternity seemed spent erecting posts and nets due to torpor and a dearth of those little white things. We eventually kicked off uphill around 11. We dominated the first half and when we could get the darned ball under control some actual football was in danger of being played.
Some lovely crosses were unconverted but a lead was established when Ron for once passed a long square ball to the left to Phil. He neatly turned inside the defender and smashed home in a blur.
Another pleasing move was converted from close range by Tom, 2-0. Gavin, in between goals was butchered to the floor as he hurtled in on goal. No penalty, well everyone else knew it was but the returning Martin in a valiant attempt at self beatitude persuaded referee Alistair it was outside the area. The free kick awarded, barely better than a corner, was poor reward. I suppose we thought it wouldn't matter in the long run. They rarely threatened in the first half apart from a piece of eccentricity from keeper Paul, receiving a goal kick from full back Bill out on the left touchline! Don't ask!
Half time 2-0.
We abandoned our footballing togetherness in the second half, concentrating on long killer balls and the pace of Gavin to little effect. Gavin did hit bar and post. Certainly tiredness played a huge part, with many players turning out today for a very rare game, Bill (first game of the season), Mark, Ron, Phil, Martin and even Tom not regularly used to donning the black. They were somewhat more energetic than us but hardly better. They pulled a goal back from a low poke toward goal where Paul, Gomez like, allowed the ball to trickle through his legs. This time the ball definitely crossed the line. They later equalised, did Brendan contribute? Canna remember. In the last 10 minutes they looked the only winners but time caught up with us all.
Bill had a fine game at left back, intercepting well, playing astute passes and, in the first half, proving highly effective with his throw-ins.
It was off to that fine theatre of drink the British Legion in which we were pleasantly surprised by the cordial welcome. There were people in there I thought had died! And Phil there wasn't an inbred in sight. All the opposition showed and a merry hour was spent watching Liverpool slaughter Newcastle. They have Sky. Who needs a Station? A fine assortment of sandwiches prepared and provided by Nicky Boyle went down well.
A word of thanks to Alistair for refereeing with his arm in plaster, courtesy of his fiddling in the mechanism of his car's automatic window. He really should try Jeff Jackson and save his savoir faire for the operating theatre. Hertfordshire is now an anaesthetist short in these austere times, but we have gained a ref.
I collapsed at home to nurse my broken rib and awakened to the glorious sight of our famed black kit drying in the breeze. All dried and ready for next week's home game v Walkern by 5pm. Thank you Maggie I didn't know you cared.
Struggled to get a team out but with the help of father and son combo, the Martins, we managed 11.
An eternity seemed spent erecting posts and nets due to torpor and a dearth of those little white things. We eventually kicked off uphill around 11. We dominated the first half and when we could get the darned ball under control some actual football was in danger of being played.
Some lovely crosses were unconverted but a lead was established when Ron for once passed a long square ball to the left to Phil. He neatly turned inside the defender and smashed home in a blur.
Another pleasing move was converted from close range by Tom, 2-0. Gavin, in between goals was butchered to the floor as he hurtled in on goal. No penalty, well everyone else knew it was but the returning Martin in a valiant attempt at self beatitude persuaded referee Alistair it was outside the area. The free kick awarded, barely better than a corner, was poor reward. I suppose we thought it wouldn't matter in the long run. They rarely threatened in the first half apart from a piece of eccentricity from keeper Paul, receiving a goal kick from full back Bill out on the left touchline! Don't ask!
Half time 2-0.
We abandoned our footballing togetherness in the second half, concentrating on long killer balls and the pace of Gavin to little effect. Gavin did hit bar and post. Certainly tiredness played a huge part, with many players turning out today for a very rare game, Bill (first game of the season), Mark, Ron, Phil, Martin and even Tom not regularly used to donning the black. They were somewhat more energetic than us but hardly better. They pulled a goal back from a low poke toward goal where Paul, Gomez like, allowed the ball to trickle through his legs. This time the ball definitely crossed the line. They later equalised, did Brendan contribute? Canna remember. In the last 10 minutes they looked the only winners but time caught up with us all.
Bill had a fine game at left back, intercepting well, playing astute passes and, in the first half, proving highly effective with his throw-ins.
It was off to that fine theatre of drink the British Legion in which we were pleasantly surprised by the cordial welcome. There were people in there I thought had died! And Phil there wasn't an inbred in sight. All the opposition showed and a merry hour was spent watching Liverpool slaughter Newcastle. They have Sky. Who needs a Station? A fine assortment of sandwiches prepared and provided by Nicky Boyle went down well.
A word of thanks to Alistair for refereeing with his arm in plaster, courtesy of his fiddling in the mechanism of his car's automatic window. He really should try Jeff Jackson and save his savoir faire for the operating theatre. Hertfordshire is now an anaesthetist short in these austere times, but we have gained a ref.
I collapsed at home to nurse my broken rib and awakened to the glorious sight of our famed black kit drying in the breeze. All dried and ready for next week's home game v Walkern by 5pm. Thank you Maggie I didn't know you cared.
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