A true vets football match, hard fought, end to end, if a bit slowly and played in good spirits. A draw was a very fair result. Well done both sides.
Would Bully last as he battled to take the field hamstrung but committed? No he wouldn't. Thirty seconds in, even his unquenchable spirit for the fray was extinguished has he hobbled off. His vision must now be firmly on December 18th and we all most hope he makes it or we'll probably be reduced to Christmas shopping that day.
Chris W moved into midfield, Brendan moved to centre half and Bill came on at fullback. A competitive game ensued with not many clearcut chances. Tackles, endeavour, chasing back and encouraging each other were the key elements of an enjoyable occasion rather than any eye catching purist football.
We seemed to be getting a bit of distance on our goal kicks and clearances and much of the contest was fought out in midfield with little in the way of goalmouth skirmishes.
Dave was very competent in goal and stayed there till he swapped with a hamstrung Bill late in the game. Phil added to the hamstrung leading some in the crowd to question our warm up regime. A valid point? Probably, but at least we don't hang round smoking before kick off so we're doing something right there.
Half time Gary went off with a dead leg to be replaced by an energetic and contributing Gerry.
One moment of controversy in second half saw their forward reaching the ball as Dave advanced, they clashed and a goal kick ensued. They were not well pleased to be denied a penalty but took the decision well. I thought it was a fair challenge and more relevantly so did referee Alistair.
Vinnie had a couple of snapshots just wide from cutbacks from Gary and Andy and Dave saved a raking missile, straight at him but in danger of going through him and that was that.
Mentions of Chris G, his best game of the season, ran himself into the ground. Brendan very good, some winning tackles and headers combined with a safety first, get rid mentality. Tony competitive and effective at right back but immense performances from Chrises W and C in centre midfield really took the eye.
Every one contributed.
A good turn out in the pub where both teams sat in close proximity to one another, says it all.
Sad news absorbed mind making each one of us think a bit.
Next week it's newly promoted Sandridge Rovers away.
Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Monday 28 November 2011
Sunday 27 November 2011
Knobs 0 Blunham (aka Sandy) 0
More tomorrow- today Gary Speed inexplicably decided to die- perspective eh?
Monday 21 November 2011
Knobs 3 MBDA 6 - report by Gavin Simpson
Well…to be honest, I didn’t see much of it. I’m only writing this because Ron’s got to go up North and John said I should. He was my eyes and ears though. The roving reporter on the side line whilst I was busy picking up bargains at the Co-Op. Got some lovely cream cakes reduced to 89p – they were lovely with a cup of tea. And then I picked up a Nerf gun for just £3 in the charity shop - shhhhh…don’t tell anyone. It’s a Christmas present. Who would have thought that the charity shop would be open on a Sunday? Madness indeed but the new window display for Christmas looks ace.
Anyway, the bit I did see was very interesting. MBDA certainly looked a fitter unit and played with a confidence of league leaders. Our passing play seemed very narrow. Despite the now customary 4-5-1 formation there was little width. It’s certainly important that the centre-forward moves into that space and therefore opens up gaps for the centre-midfielders breaking from the middle. And when they had the ball, despite our 3 in the middle, there seemed to be plenty of gaps there. Despite fitness concerns, Vinnie looked strong and competitive but the game reminded me a bit of the book I’m reading at the moment – H.G. Wells’ ‘The Invisible Man’ – it certainly seems that with the KNOBS, a few players go missing when we start staring defeat in the face. I speak with a plank in my eye. The most amazing thing that was witnessed was Dave giving up as their winger sprinted past him. That’s not like our Dave – maybe the criticism has got to him or the pressure of being the manager or maybe he just had one beer too many the night before? Whatever the answer, it was unusual and just goes to show how we can all do with a bit of praise and encouragement to keep ourselves motivated throughout. You could see that when Andy netted his second goal. The spring in his step afterwards was a joy to behold and not like anything witnessed beforehand. It goes to show how a crunching tackle, a surging run, a beautiful pass, a great interception, relentless pressing, a well-timed clearance, can create a mood within a team that can lead to positive outcomes. And if we can all tell each other when we’ve done something like that, it spurs the spirit. However at 5-2 down it wasn’t to be. In fact that they looked like they were coasting and creating chances at will. Their headed goal from a corner (their 6th) showed how easy it was. We can do better and we must do better.
But what do I know? I hardly saw any of it. I left when Ron sent off one of their players for foul language. And rightly so! Thank goodness it wasn’t a KNOB. I hope it all ended happily. John told me that Vinnie scored a great goal and that Andy had one disallowed that was slightly controversial. That would have made it 3-3. He obviously scored the first one. Anyone know why two goals is called a ‘brace’? But you can’t win games when you let in 6 can you? We’ve found that out already this season. Onwards and upwards though. Blunham Vets next week and with our on-going injury crisis (I saw Bully limp off – rare indeed he admits defeat to injury), it could be a long winter. Still, Simmons is open now on a Sunday. Nothing reduced but they do have some lovely cakes in there. Now where is that vanilla slice? Ahh…
Anyway, the bit I did see was very interesting. MBDA certainly looked a fitter unit and played with a confidence of league leaders. Our passing play seemed very narrow. Despite the now customary 4-5-1 formation there was little width. It’s certainly important that the centre-forward moves into that space and therefore opens up gaps for the centre-midfielders breaking from the middle. And when they had the ball, despite our 3 in the middle, there seemed to be plenty of gaps there. Despite fitness concerns, Vinnie looked strong and competitive but the game reminded me a bit of the book I’m reading at the moment – H.G. Wells’ ‘The Invisible Man’ – it certainly seems that with the KNOBS, a few players go missing when we start staring defeat in the face. I speak with a plank in my eye. The most amazing thing that was witnessed was Dave giving up as their winger sprinted past him. That’s not like our Dave – maybe the criticism has got to him or the pressure of being the manager or maybe he just had one beer too many the night before? Whatever the answer, it was unusual and just goes to show how we can all do with a bit of praise and encouragement to keep ourselves motivated throughout. You could see that when Andy netted his second goal. The spring in his step afterwards was a joy to behold and not like anything witnessed beforehand. It goes to show how a crunching tackle, a surging run, a beautiful pass, a great interception, relentless pressing, a well-timed clearance, can create a mood within a team that can lead to positive outcomes. And if we can all tell each other when we’ve done something like that, it spurs the spirit. However at 5-2 down it wasn’t to be. In fact that they looked like they were coasting and creating chances at will. Their headed goal from a corner (their 6th) showed how easy it was. We can do better and we must do better.
But what do I know? I hardly saw any of it. I left when Ron sent off one of their players for foul language. And rightly so! Thank goodness it wasn’t a KNOB. I hope it all ended happily. John told me that Vinnie scored a great goal and that Andy had one disallowed that was slightly controversial. That would have made it 3-3. He obviously scored the first one. Anyone know why two goals is called a ‘brace’? But you can’t win games when you let in 6 can you? We’ve found that out already this season. Onwards and upwards though. Blunham Vets next week and with our on-going injury crisis (I saw Bully limp off – rare indeed he admits defeat to injury), it could be a long winter. Still, Simmons is open now on a Sunday. Nothing reduced but they do have some lovely cakes in there. Now where is that vanilla slice? Ahh…
Sunday 13 November 2011
Old Elizabethans 2 Knobs 1 - report by Gavin Simpson
So…our one game winning streak comes to an end. On a beautiful Sunday morning/afternoon, the team travelled in good heart to Barnet with a couple of new players in tow – Chris’ boyhood chum Ali and Bully’s mate Des. Arriving early, we watched the warm-up game (before the main attraction) and then after a minute’s silence, the game started after Chris G won the toss and elected to swap ends. We are still waiting for the justification for that decision but I’m sure there was one.
The formation for the first half was our 4-1-4-1 – Dave in goal, Kenny, Chris G, Brendan and Twiggy the back four. Bully as the holding midfielder. Richard, Ali, Chris C and Runar were the midfield and Gavin was up-top. Within 10 minutes, any plans Dave had for the next 80 had gone AWOL as injuries led to the departure of Richard and Gavin. Possible long-term injuries. Is there an injury crisis at the club? Who’s in charge of warm-ups and warm-downs? By that stage though we were 1-0 up thanks to an own goal by their centre-back. For the rest of the half, they had the better of the play. Despite some lovely triangles between Ali, Chris W and Bully, there was a lack of penetration up front. It is of no surprise though. One of the main issues of the 4-1-4-1 system is the distance between the midfield and the forward. Against a good team (which Old Elizabethans were) we tend to get deeper and deeper and that makes the gap bigger and bigger. In the second half that was remedied a wee bit due to Dave pushing up more and Bully staying more advanced. At the end of the first half, we let in a goal. It came from a free-kick and as Dave said himself ‘…it had to be a good kick to beat him’ and it was…sort of. Well…he hit it into the corner but from a positional point of view Dave will be disappointed. No clean sheet this week.
In the second half, Des moved to right back, Brendan went in goal and Kenny went into the centre. Ali was pushed forward and Dave came into the middle of the park. It’s fair to say that we had our chances in that half. You could argue that maybe we should have had a penalty but it would have been harsh. From my reckoning, Twiggy missed a good opportunity from a corner, Dave missed one when he was through on goal, Ali missed with a deft chip but the major miss (although I hope we have a ‘no blame culture’ at the club) was from Runar who missed a header from six yards after a lovely ball from Dave. Runar also had another potential chance when there was a mix-up in their penalty area but alas, it was not to be. And to be honest, they missed a sitter also, after (a very tired) Brendan had palmed a cross/shot into the path of their forward who decided to knock it wide. The winning goal came from an in-swinging corner that went in after skimming the head of Twiggy. Oh well. Other than that, there was the normal scrap from Dave (who was remembered from last time apparently…I think that man is getting a reputation!), another thunderous defence header from Runar that went 50-odd yards and Kenny being ‘mugged’ on the halfway. An honourable mention should also go to the little lad who ran the line in the second-half. He made some good decisions.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, competitive game. Either team could have won it, neither deserved to. Ali can come again…a very good compact player. Des as well actually. From the Manager’s point of view, he felt we lacked a bit of intensity today and that might be true but we had our chances. Afterwards in the clubhouse, we were served pizza, chips, potatoes and chicken. Very nice indeed but it would be lovely to see a bit of green one of these days. We’re professional athletes you know.
MBDA next week. Big game. They are flying in the league and we’re on our way up. Late fitness tests all round but hopefully we’ll have a strong team to put out. And next week…no swearing please…we’ve got to make friends with the neighbourhood again!!!
The formation for the first half was our 4-1-4-1 – Dave in goal, Kenny, Chris G, Brendan and Twiggy the back four. Bully as the holding midfielder. Richard, Ali, Chris C and Runar were the midfield and Gavin was up-top. Within 10 minutes, any plans Dave had for the next 80 had gone AWOL as injuries led to the departure of Richard and Gavin. Possible long-term injuries. Is there an injury crisis at the club? Who’s in charge of warm-ups and warm-downs? By that stage though we were 1-0 up thanks to an own goal by their centre-back. For the rest of the half, they had the better of the play. Despite some lovely triangles between Ali, Chris W and Bully, there was a lack of penetration up front. It is of no surprise though. One of the main issues of the 4-1-4-1 system is the distance between the midfield and the forward. Against a good team (which Old Elizabethans were) we tend to get deeper and deeper and that makes the gap bigger and bigger. In the second half that was remedied a wee bit due to Dave pushing up more and Bully staying more advanced. At the end of the first half, we let in a goal. It came from a free-kick and as Dave said himself ‘…it had to be a good kick to beat him’ and it was…sort of. Well…he hit it into the corner but from a positional point of view Dave will be disappointed. No clean sheet this week.
In the second half, Des moved to right back, Brendan went in goal and Kenny went into the centre. Ali was pushed forward and Dave came into the middle of the park. It’s fair to say that we had our chances in that half. You could argue that maybe we should have had a penalty but it would have been harsh. From my reckoning, Twiggy missed a good opportunity from a corner, Dave missed one when he was through on goal, Ali missed with a deft chip but the major miss (although I hope we have a ‘no blame culture’ at the club) was from Runar who missed a header from six yards after a lovely ball from Dave. Runar also had another potential chance when there was a mix-up in their penalty area but alas, it was not to be. And to be honest, they missed a sitter also, after (a very tired) Brendan had palmed a cross/shot into the path of their forward who decided to knock it wide. The winning goal came from an in-swinging corner that went in after skimming the head of Twiggy. Oh well. Other than that, there was the normal scrap from Dave (who was remembered from last time apparently…I think that man is getting a reputation!), another thunderous defence header from Runar that went 50-odd yards and Kenny being ‘mugged’ on the halfway. An honourable mention should also go to the little lad who ran the line in the second-half. He made some good decisions.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, competitive game. Either team could have won it, neither deserved to. Ali can come again…a very good compact player. Des as well actually. From the Manager’s point of view, he felt we lacked a bit of intensity today and that might be true but we had our chances. Afterwards in the clubhouse, we were served pizza, chips, potatoes and chicken. Very nice indeed but it would be lovely to see a bit of green one of these days. We’re professional athletes you know.
MBDA next week. Big game. They are flying in the league and we’re on our way up. Late fitness tests all round but hopefully we’ll have a strong team to put out. And next week…no swearing please…we’ve got to make friends with the neighbourhood again!!!
Monday 7 November 2011
Knobs 2 Ware Strollers 0
League win.
A comfortable victory with some nice passing moves. We passed it rather like this last week, but things fizzled out by the half way line. This week with Gavin spearheading in the first half and Andy in the second we had a potential threat every time we went forward. With the energy and ability of John and Runni as wide midfielders and the tenacity of Chris C and Chris W central midfield, the platform for Steve's passing range was solid. Well played.
Some slackness at the back could have proved costly very early on, unecessarily running the ball out of defence and being robbed, but Dave, in goal first half, dived low to parry a shot away with them fluffing the resulting sitter. Their little centre forward was dangerous in the first half when playing high up against Ali and Tony but he was handled fairly well. In the second half he was reduced to going far too deep for the ball, had noone to lay it off to and was snuffed out.
We had several chances notably to Chris Cox who was somehow denied. Gavin made several scintillating runs and some telling track backs, which always helps the cause. Richard was back from injury and after an over adventurous start at right back, settled nicely into the passing game being employed by the team. Bill was solid as a rock at left back and showed excellent choices in when to pass it out and when to hoof it clear. His passes out to the left midfield to get us going forward are what we've been crying out for. Others please note.
Two incidents in the first half. Was John fouled on the right, I thought he was inadvertently caught as the man sneakily crept round him to play the ball- a new survey should sort that out. John was not best pleased but recovered his bonhomie and vivacity by the time he was limping to the pub (from a knee injury, the limp not the disputed foul).
A corner started the love-in between Dave and their lanky centre half, the latter displaying a distinct lack of originality by baring his unattractive arse to Dave. No doubt the groups of the public including a host of kids were distinctly unimpressed by this fragrant or should that be flagrant outing of an ugly piece of anatomy. We proceeded to half time one up. I remember it was a good move but remember little of the detail nor indeed the scorer, what's wrong? Surely Gavin scored. Help! Oh no it was Vinnie, subbing for injured Alistair. Vinnie was already showing flair for getting forward when the ball was passed toward him and he promptly flighted in from distance. Phew, memory cells functioning again, just! They came close to equalising with a thunderous shot that hit the post, then Dave, before going for a corner.
Gavin replaced Dave in goal at half time and Andy came on up front, the outstanding Chris Cox giving way. They rarely threatened second half, except the referee's integrity on a number of occasions. But hey.. fuck you all, get on with it and enjoy.
Something was boiling between Dave and White Arse which was out of my earshot and beyond my ken when with minutes to go Krakatoa went off. A little Dave tease, from my view, led to a violent running assault by his botty friend. A grapple ensued which swiftly proceeded to the undignified sight of some 10 people brawling in a public space. I had blown for the original foul and stood back admiring the pride of British manhood wrestling in the dog shit. Squealing of umpteen decibels pricked my curiosity so I moved in for a closer view to see Dave attempting to shake off his handlers, primarily Richard (I know that man's hold). Both were sent off (not Richard) and the game petered uneventfully to its conclusion by which time we were in a two nil lead thanks to an earlier deft Runni header from a deep Steve centre from the left.
Serious point!
People were saying bring on subs to replace 'men' dismissed,- a rule of thumb at Vets' level but with no grounding in any laws. If that had happened they would have had 11 and we, with two injured subs, one of whom had gone home for lunch, would have played with 10 thus favouring the team whose player had commenced the original physical mayhem. To have allowed Dave back on would have been against any sensible rules and would undoubtedly heightened the aggro. Result 10 a side to the end despite the fact that the protagonists had kissed and made up and had concealed themselves behind Mark Mills tree to continue comparing anatomical features.
Of course we should have qualified referees but that is £40, we are not affiliated, we couldn't get a referee if we tried so our stand ins are always somewhat restricted in what they can do. I felt like abandoning the game but their wee centre forward said no- he was probably right.
A member of the public told off Steve for swearing in public and Steve told me off for swearing at Dave. All was so much fun.
I picked up two enormous dog turds before the game commenced- Chief Dogshit Remover? But I drew the line at Alistair's parthian shot, en route home for lunch , that there was another turd lurking on the half way line. I know he's a doctor and I'm a .... but I am not qualified only as a shit shifter! Whose turn is it next home game- bring your own carrier bag!
The pub seethed - pleasantly where a superb repast of garlic bread... and garlic bread was served.
Big game on December 18th- Steve's 40 th. Where a Steve Bull Old Pals x1 takes on the Knobs. Steve pays for food afterwards and ALL the drinks- is that right, he provides the ref and washes both sets of kit. Late noon to Rileys for more BEER!
Get it in your diary!
Football always wins!
A comfortable victory with some nice passing moves. We passed it rather like this last week, but things fizzled out by the half way line. This week with Gavin spearheading in the first half and Andy in the second we had a potential threat every time we went forward. With the energy and ability of John and Runni as wide midfielders and the tenacity of Chris C and Chris W central midfield, the platform for Steve's passing range was solid. Well played.
Some slackness at the back could have proved costly very early on, unecessarily running the ball out of defence and being robbed, but Dave, in goal first half, dived low to parry a shot away with them fluffing the resulting sitter. Their little centre forward was dangerous in the first half when playing high up against Ali and Tony but he was handled fairly well. In the second half he was reduced to going far too deep for the ball, had noone to lay it off to and was snuffed out.
We had several chances notably to Chris Cox who was somehow denied. Gavin made several scintillating runs and some telling track backs, which always helps the cause. Richard was back from injury and after an over adventurous start at right back, settled nicely into the passing game being employed by the team. Bill was solid as a rock at left back and showed excellent choices in when to pass it out and when to hoof it clear. His passes out to the left midfield to get us going forward are what we've been crying out for. Others please note.
Two incidents in the first half. Was John fouled on the right, I thought he was inadvertently caught as the man sneakily crept round him to play the ball- a new survey should sort that out. John was not best pleased but recovered his bonhomie and vivacity by the time he was limping to the pub (from a knee injury, the limp not the disputed foul).
A corner started the love-in between Dave and their lanky centre half, the latter displaying a distinct lack of originality by baring his unattractive arse to Dave. No doubt the groups of the public including a host of kids were distinctly unimpressed by this fragrant or should that be flagrant outing of an ugly piece of anatomy. We proceeded to half time one up. I remember it was a good move but remember little of the detail nor indeed the scorer, what's wrong? Surely Gavin scored. Help! Oh no it was Vinnie, subbing for injured Alistair. Vinnie was already showing flair for getting forward when the ball was passed toward him and he promptly flighted in from distance. Phew, memory cells functioning again, just! They came close to equalising with a thunderous shot that hit the post, then Dave, before going for a corner.
Gavin replaced Dave in goal at half time and Andy came on up front, the outstanding Chris Cox giving way. They rarely threatened second half, except the referee's integrity on a number of occasions. But hey.. fuck you all, get on with it and enjoy.
Something was boiling between Dave and White Arse which was out of my earshot and beyond my ken when with minutes to go Krakatoa went off. A little Dave tease, from my view, led to a violent running assault by his botty friend. A grapple ensued which swiftly proceeded to the undignified sight of some 10 people brawling in a public space. I had blown for the original foul and stood back admiring the pride of British manhood wrestling in the dog shit. Squealing of umpteen decibels pricked my curiosity so I moved in for a closer view to see Dave attempting to shake off his handlers, primarily Richard (I know that man's hold). Both were sent off (not Richard) and the game petered uneventfully to its conclusion by which time we were in a two nil lead thanks to an earlier deft Runni header from a deep Steve centre from the left.
Serious point!
People were saying bring on subs to replace 'men' dismissed,- a rule of thumb at Vets' level but with no grounding in any laws. If that had happened they would have had 11 and we, with two injured subs, one of whom had gone home for lunch, would have played with 10 thus favouring the team whose player had commenced the original physical mayhem. To have allowed Dave back on would have been against any sensible rules and would undoubtedly heightened the aggro. Result 10 a side to the end despite the fact that the protagonists had kissed and made up and had concealed themselves behind Mark Mills tree to continue comparing anatomical features.
Of course we should have qualified referees but that is £40, we are not affiliated, we couldn't get a referee if we tried so our stand ins are always somewhat restricted in what they can do. I felt like abandoning the game but their wee centre forward said no- he was probably right.
A member of the public told off Steve for swearing in public and Steve told me off for swearing at Dave. All was so much fun.
I picked up two enormous dog turds before the game commenced- Chief Dogshit Remover? But I drew the line at Alistair's parthian shot, en route home for lunch , that there was another turd lurking on the half way line. I know he's a doctor and I'm a .... but I am not qualified only as a shit shifter! Whose turn is it next home game- bring your own carrier bag!
The pub seethed - pleasantly where a superb repast of garlic bread... and garlic bread was served.
Big game on December 18th- Steve's 40 th. Where a Steve Bull Old Pals x1 takes on the Knobs. Steve pays for food afterwards and ALL the drinks- is that right, he provides the ref and washes both sets of kit. Late noon to Rileys for more BEER!
Get it in your diary!
Football always wins!
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