Guilden Morden 3 Knobs 4

At the shag end of the season, in Death Valley temperatures, the Knobs returned to winning ways. A competitive game against a well organised side, we deserved the victory.
A struggle to get personnel ended with us turning up early with 13. They took an age to make the pitch and get the game underway though a good opportunity was afforded to take in the splendid nearby church of St Mary. I was struck by its pebbled and stone rubble embattled exterior (remember Knebworth- crennellated) being almost exclusively Perpendicular. Just across the lane stood the Edward V11 pub- but we have to await the slaking of thirst until the football matters were dealt with.
At last the referee arrived. He was quite competent and fair but he missed a certain penalty when he deemed Gavin to have "gone down too easily" as he hared towards a goal at his mercy. The ankle tapper behind Gav was some 5 yards from the ball and stopped a certain goal.
A strange old mix of a side did more than well. Vinnie came from the village to deputise and showed terrific promise before running out of steam. Kelwyn made a return for us, putting Dave through with a slide rule pass only for Dave to shoot early and over albeit with pace and ferocity. Side pass to Gavin, open goal?
Paul had a very competent game in goal catching everything cleanly and faultless for the goals.
Phil looks static- that's cos he is but he got so much of the ball- anticipation as to where to stand to intercept, tackle and receive. His terrific strike from distance brought up our first equaliser to a goal where we were caught on the break and perhaps didn't challenge vigorously for possession. Classy shots and passes throughout.
John Boyle , in his best position right back had an excellent game also managing to frequently join in the attack and provide telling crosses. His best contribution an injury defying tackle to prevent a certain goal from the foot of their forward some 5 yards from goal.
Chris Wilson, player of the year, had an energetic game at the back but proved incapable of preventing Brendan roaming the length and breadth of Cambridgeshire when it took his fancy. All the time virtually.
Mind you the diving header Brendan scored at the far post burst the net. A spectacular conversion from a Mark Mills shot/corner which put us ahead 3-2. They'd scored from a mistake after a punt down the middle which was not defended but our second came from an excellent John Boyle cross headed in emphatically by Tom. They equalised with 5 minutes left from a delicious chip from 25 yards but we had a final say. A nice move Kelwyn to Ron, Ron to Mark, Mark out to John Boyle who centred for Tom to volley goalwards, hits the bar falls to the line then crosses it with a little help from Gavin.
Bill played left back and was inspirational, good positioning sense making up for any lack of match practice and when in doubt he cleared his lines with distance.
Well that's all folks!
It's been great to know you .
Give Dave and John the same commitment and enjoyment will be guaranteed.
The pub was fine, the Guinness was cold and Phil drove oh so steadily home, I loved it!

Ex Manager