Knobs 3 Saints 5

First league game in the new extended league. Poor result but that only tells part of the story.
Some of our best players available but it might be said that not all were playing in their best positions. Dave will be looking for versatility from several players considering how well off we are at centre back and left back but that might prove problematical on this show.
First half we were behind 1-0 early on. Their pacy centre forward beat the offside trap to square across the goal where they attacked far better than we defended. First half two noticeable problems , we were very very narrow. The only person occupying any width was Andy in his peeling off runs at pace. Secondly when we were in possession we were in hot potato land. Few were comfortable on the ball, not helped by their more energetic closing down and harrying. Still 1-0 at half time and with a brisk wind behind us in the second half all was far from lost.
Second half saw them capitalise on their forward play better than we did. They had a centre forward who was hard to handle but we had Andy who was a bit tasty too at this level. Both scored hattricks. They went two up with a splendid individual goal from the number 9 who worked himself into a shooting position before finding the top corner from 20 odd yards. A lovely move between Darren H and Andy saw the latter reduce the deficit. I was linesman and their third was 3 yards off for which I flagged. The centre forward's shot being blocked and carrying forward to a man well offside but who finished easily. Explanation for the overrule? Several decisions were going against Saints. My view? This was because on several occasions they were offside but teams only remember the decisions that do not favour them. The difficulties of officiating! Anyway it was 3-1. An individual goal by Andy out muscling the keeper before lobbing home made it 3-2. Still in it. The number 9 added a couple to put matters beyond reach seemingly. Brendan was doing a Bambi on ice routine at full back culminating in a handball with hand swiftly placed behind back with probably 20 degrees of difficulty. The penalty was struck like an exocet but incredibly saved by Trevor. How did that stick? The last 20 minutes proved rousing for us but apart from another individual rocket for our third, by Andy, we just couldn't claw our way back.
Problem?
In a competitive game the irresolvable problem of giving everyone a fair share of the game rather than sticking with the likeliest personnel for the day. We had 11 players and 4 subs, including me. I'd love to play a whole game but know I am not as likely to contribute in a game such as this compared to a younger , fitter team mate. Mind on one's day you never know. To compete more equally in that game, a maximum of two subs would have been key in order to maintain vigour and continuity. Mind I'm available for all the games, I 'enjoyed' my 20 minute run out at the end.
It's Old Owens in the league next week so with a couple of games under our belts a more energetic performance will be expected. It was very obvious that we were not fit enough or desirous enough to support the speedy Andy when he want on the attack, we were very very stretched.
Nice in the pub, good turn out, Dave busy as a bee. Keep it up!
Toodle pip!
Ronald