Knobs 3 Ashwell 0

The calm between the storms. Despite the deluges of Thursday and Saturday the pitch on Sunday was firm and playable. A comfortable enough victory whose margin should have been far greater but for careless finishing and some excellent keeping.
We should have been out of sight at half time courtesy of some excellent and at times patient football yet the score was only 1-0. The goal came from another good move down the left which was bobbled in by the supporting full back John Boyle following a Gavin 'dummy' or complete miskick from 5 yards. Take your pick! Gerry and Chris Cox deserve special mention for some sensible defensive work in the wide midfield positions, always tucking in to assist the excellent central pairing of Chris and Good Dave. Jamie sustained an early injury and replaced Dave in goal, ( who had made a good save from their only shot on goal before he took up his puffing and panting position at full back). Jamie had little to do but control a savage Tony backpass but his distribution was so good. Other keepers take note.
Second half started scrappily as the game became too stretched. Part of the fault lay with everyone being a little cavalier going forward and not having the puff to get back. Seemingly this tactic was known as 'doing a chairman'. There were lots of chairpersons that second half.
A little controversy as Gavin was cavorting to the by line he appeared to slip over his own shadow, the sun had actually appeared, and his penalty claims were turned down. I gave the full back a bit of the benefit and the sun was in my eyes and I wasn't well placed. The reward for having a geriatric referee. Worse was to follow when the benign Andy lost his blob after a robust tackle on the penalty spot from their usually gentlemanly though robotic centre half. I genuinely thought he went for the ball and a collision occurred due to Andy's speed. No penalty and a limping Andy followed. He was not deterred as time and again he outpaced their defence only to be denied in his final efforts.
The second goal was overdue. Oh here it comes. An immaculate Dave throw in, hands from behind the head, feet planted on the turf, travelled unerringly to Andy, some 6 yards away. Brilliant! Andy swivelled and hit an inviting cross into the area where Gavin racing away from goal retrieved the ball and had the simple task of turning on a sixpence and lashing a whizzbanger across the goal into the far corner. Much better than a penalty.
A third followed from Good Dave as he careered into the area and lashed in an unstoppable one.
Mark Mills played a sensible game for them and was not, by prior agreement, tackled by any of us since he wanted to enjoy a pain free Christmas. Unless you count a body check by, yes of course, Naughty Dave, or was he too knackered to get out of the way.
Brendan did not show so missed a certain 90 minutes, he went to a local gym where the showers were hot to prepare for next week's big game. Joel did not show?
A handful of us joined a handful of them in the Lytton for a merry repast. Alistair must have chewed his way through 8 drumsticks. There was one left for my dog.
Merry Christmas to you all! 

Old Owens 5 Knobs 5

Phew! and Hmmmm!
Nice pitch.
Brendan, who had withdrawn from a golf tournament because we were short, was not well pleased to find himself on the bench with old Ron, as we had 13, including a mate of Darren's. My view is if a stranger is asked to come along and play because he is told we are short, he has to play from the start. If we have 13 and he is made sub. , albeit a roll off and on sub., that is not on. Anyway Brendan soon joined the fray when Twiggy succumbed to an ankle injury and settled in to have a good second half- and he bought me a pint afterwards. A couple of near goals early on promised much and yes we soon went ahead when Dave headed home emphatically from a corner. Soon afterwards Ali J burst forward and guided a beauty into the bottom corner, outside of the foot from outside of the area. A false dawn. For all the verve and promise going forward there was no complementary defensive grit. We looked too spread out and brittle. They did have a couple of decent, pacy blokes going forward but we contributed to our own woes by being far too stretched. Full backs and wide midfielders were staying rigidly wide so that there was an enormous corridor through the middle. As a result Chris and Darren in midfield were outnumbered and were never really getting to grips with the hordes pouring through. My understanding is you should defend narrow and attack with width, I've said it enough times. Congest the most sensitive area- best let them have possession out wide rather give them open house in the middle. Anyway they scored a good goal for them. It should never have got to their bloke mind,  but a 50 yard hoik forward was pursued, controlled and smashed unstoppably high into the net. The second was one out of  last week's catalogue of errors- lack of putting a body in where it might hurt, or conceivably where it might contribute towards gaining a touch on the ball. Three or four at fault here all waiting for each other to take charge. We were still having joy going forward but no luck especially when a dubious home flag prevented a goal from Jamie, who had run clear and lobbed the keeper. They added a fourth before half time when their winger was allowed to put in a cross which sailed into the net via the far post. Flukey!
Alistair went centre half, replacing debutant Darren who was playing the first half in his stocking feet. Ron came on. (Not bad should have scored three ended up with one. I will treasure the memory. Mind it is hard when you haven't been involved for such a long time!) Excuses excuses!
They scored a scrappy 5th , we're fucked perhaps, 5-2 is a bit of a gap. But in the last half hour they faded and we grew strong and really we were making, missing and taking some chances. A Gavin corner was badly headed over by a rusty Ron , it travelled a mile and nearly broke his head. The next corner Owens were not so lucky as the oldest Knob ever to score headed hard and low to convert another excellent Gavin corner. 5-3. Gavin was now running wild and would inevitably score in time. Ali J was rampant and Chris and Darren were winning everything in midfield. Gavin scorched through for a 4th then after a bit of a Dave 'tackle' generously considered fair by the ref the ball was launched toward Gavin who raced in from the right, scoring from a narrow angle 5-5!. Gavin was thwarted yet still  managed to get a square ball to Ron who skied from  the penalty spot- take a touch you prat!
Unlucky to only draw in the end but we'll get it right on more occasions than we get it wrong.
Next week Ashwell at home when we face mercurial Mark Mills and the following week we play against John Boyle's All Stars when those available will be able to line up and exchange incomparable badinage and bon mots with John aka Beaky himself! 

Goldings 4 Knobs 3

Rural tranquillity, Bramfield. Sunny and cold, tiny pitch.
Crappiest of all "changing rooms", all together in a cupboard, so tight we were changing each other. Ooh nice, touch me there again Dave sort of coziness. It didn't augur well with the entrance  floor being covered by a broken glass bottle. Noone seemed to care. Two open plan showers in the corner doubled as a toilet well they did for Trevor.
Struggled to get a side out, so two outsiders Dave Fish and Tony's mate Richard deputised.
We attacked first and Gavin was thwarted from a narrow angle. Then they attacked , not particularly threatening or creative just lumping forward and pushing and shoving but trouble was we never looked like having a defence against it. We were woeful, nah we were absolute shite. Allowed ourselves to be bullied and intimated so much so that three of the goals came from the most pathetic of challenges inside our six yard box. Re phrase that, no challenges in the six yard box.
It was discussed in the conviviality of the salubrious pub opposite afterwards. All seem to acknowledge collective blame and yes as a group we were non existent in that dreadful first half. But in this mess individual lack of commitment stood out. Brendan was at fault for the first for not simply conceding a corner as the bloke behind him sneaked ahead and toe  poked past the line bound Trevor. Dave looked as if he was never gonna get near anyone to commit some of his morale sapping fouls and tackles and an easy bit of play, unchallenged saw them score from a shit cross from his side for the second. Unchallenged, unchallenged and unchallenged! After you Claud, you score. The third saw a ball wickedly bounce over Tony's head in the six yard box. His warning of "over me" was not supposed to be an invitation to sexual liaison but a warning to those behind to defend. Again no challenge, ball netted from a few inches.
The 4th goal was just the opening of the floodgates. 4-0. We were coping better with Mr Fish at centre back, Brendan at left back and Dave left midfield but could we get a bit of energy into the play and a bit of commitment instead the tentative passivity that was the first half story.
Everyone knew that as individuals and even as a team force we were far better than that. Second half everyone showed it. Except for a couple of breakaways from which they missed they weren't in it thanks to tackling, challenging, RUNNING and the occasional foul or three. The reward was three goals all from Gavin. The first, he outran the back for and slid it in before the keeper could get there. The keeper was favourite but Gavin was quick and committed. The second was a Gavin penalty after he, himself, had been scythed down. The third, from a deflected free kick, from one of the many freekicks they started conceding from shooting range. Ian slid Gavin in for what would have been an equaliser but a controversial flag thwarted him. Much mirth from their massed ranks on the line. wasn't even marginal. Our 4th was not to come.
John Twigg in at left back for Brendan was tackling and putting his body on the line like a man possessed. Dave was involved in everything on the left tackling, bumping, boring and stirring up passions. This was really really better. Nothing pretty but it was a competition for supremacy which the first half certainly wasn't.
Well done and in the end unlucky!
Noone felt like a journey into Hertford and all were disappearing to respective abodes when Tony emerged from the adjacent restaurant-pub and announced they were letting riff raff in. So we gathered together and went in. Very nice, clean and sparkling with quoffable ale.  Goodnight Vienna!

sandridge v Knobs off frost

Another Sunday spoiled. Got the news 9.03. Only failed to reach jamie and Dave who got to the Station. Sorry chaps!
Next week Goldings away snow permitting.

Knobs v Blunham

Match off due to highly debatable weather forecast.
Our community leaders love a bit of power. It's gonna rain, boo hoo! Wimps.

Knobs 1 MBDA 3

Sunny day, hard fought physically energetic game. They had some very good players and played as a team but Knobs gave them a hard battle.
Either side could have taken the lead unfortunately, after half an hour, they did. It was one of those goals where they had a bit of luck with the bounce of the ball and a close range shot, nearly stopped on the line by Chris, ended up in the net. We were breaking well at speed but our crosses were poor and easily dealt with. Their second goal  was fortunate with Dave stumbling over as he pursued his man with a goal the result instead of a direct freekick to them if you get my drift! No real concerns as I felt with the energy we were putting in and the closing down, pressurising and tackling we would be sure to be rewarded. Unfortunately we lost Dave, the forward one, with a pulled hamstring but though Richard slotted in nicely,  I felt Dave, who  has been a real potent addition, would be a big miss over the piece. The third goal could have been the killer but it wasn't really. We won the ball, cleared to our right where they far too easily gained possession. Andy could have made a better effort closing down the crosser but across it came toward our far post. Dave should have been alert to ensure it went out safely but wasn't. Their nippy winger, just on, nipped in and scored from very close in. Horrible. Dave perhaps should have been helped out from urgent calls from his teammates but I didn't hear him receive any.
Anyway shortly afterwards we saw Andy burst forward and score high and handsomely from over 20 yards. Soon it was 3-2.. No flag for an age and Joel raced forward to hit a beauty from the statutory 20 yards. But what did I hear, a fluttering of a very, very late flag. The goal was disallowed as the linesman, Les, a qualified referee, informed me he waited to put up his flag when our player moved toward it from an offside position. Nuances? Anyway it sounded a reasonable explanation to me and offside was given. Still 3-1. In retrospect, though I cannot be sure, I felt Joel was all the while running onto the ball yet the  flag stayed down for quite a time and therefore when it fluttered it was very late flag indeed. In fact a very naughty flag!  Half time 3-1 and kicking down second half we were still very much in this game.
Surely we could not keep up this physical effort, no we couldn't but neither could they. No further goals ensued. We played very well, second half, at a less frenetic pace. Joel in particular was unlucky with a rasping shot toward the top corner only for a deflection to take it just over. Richard met a corner well with his head, too well, and a good chance was gone.
Well done to all. I thought we were unlucky but I am sure all would agree that they had played in a proper game, a throwback to pre Vet days. I am sure with half of that commitment Tescos would have been effectively closed down and liquidated last week.
A fair show at the Lytton where patience was needed waiting for the food.  It was good to have Trevor back in goal and for his contribution to post match numbers. Please could blokes make an effort to show at the pub if even for 10 minutes on their way home.
next week Blunham , aka Sandy, at home

Tesco Vets 5 Knobs 2 - report by Gavin

On a beautiful sunny day we played rubbish.  That’s it.  We didn’t tackle, we didn’t press and we didn’t pass.  Quite simply, it was a dreadful game.  We gave them 3 goals in the first half, the first one coming from a penalty after a Dave push.  Ally was out run by a fat bloke for the second and then got turned for the third.  To be fair, they were all decent finishes.  After half-time we came out with a bit more energy and we pull one back after a smart finish from Gavin but then we gave another easy goal away.  After they scored their fifth, we grabbed a second, expertly toe poked home on the line by Gavin again.  We had a few chances with Gerry and Joel but alas, they were not to be.

Man of the match – the pork baguettes and the French fries.  It was that disappointing from a team perspective.

BUT what was MORE disappointing was some of the reaction of the players during the game.   Aretha Franklin once sang ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me’ and to be honest, we need to find RESPECT amongst our team.  The continual questioning of our Chairman, Manager, Captain, stand-in Treasurer, Driver, Physio, all round good egg, is just not on.  We also need to show more respect for each other as a team.  Not the kind of man love that Dave shows for Vinny but real respect, where we treat each other with dignity.  Praise is such a powerful tool and one can that motivate.  There is no I in TEAM.  We know that.  In fact it is an anagram for MATE.  And that’s a beautiful thing.  Come on guys.  Let’s pull ourselves together, let’s rise up as one, let’s ‘sock it to ‘em’ next week (as Aretha would sing) and play for the shirt, for the lads, for the prestigious name of Knebworth Old Boys or as we are affectionately known…the KNOBS.  We can do better and we must do better.  All for one, one for all.  As Maximus says in Gladiators "What we do in life, echoes in eternity" and therefore next week, on my signal (against MBDA) ‘…unleash hell!’

Knobs 5 Ware Strollers 2

This will be short and to the point.
 A well merited victory, hard and fairly  fought,  not too difficult but not easy either. We had to take them through  high tempo play and good football- and we did. I can remember times when we would spurn such opportunities and struggle and lose against lesser sides. So well done. Having said that we created and failed to take countless chances, so again well done for the former but must do better in the latter department. Heavy rain meant the pitch became a bit of a gluepot from early on. We nearly scored within a minute when Dave, the handsome one, burst through from the right and fired into the side netting thence into the net. I initially gave a goal- blind boy! Who is supplying our velcro?
They had a bit possession without any end product and we soon took the lead. Andy's cross across the box was completely miskicked by the defender - it fell to Gavin- he doesn't miss those, well actually he does, but on this occasion he found the bottom corner.
An excellent long range floater from Jamie was pleasant on the eye heading unstoppably to the top corner. Dave- not- Jordan scored with a nice finish from a crowded position and he could have had several before half time, one hitting the bar and another effort from the narrowest of angles being cleared off the line. Gavin hit the bar also, from very close in. Dave J in our goal had little to do as we turned round at half time 3-0 up. Paul Crosby having shown he still has it or something at left back now replaced Dave in goal for the second half.
We continued to make and miss chances until we notched our fourth on the hour. Memory lapse please help.
We lost Twiggy to a twigged calf , his words not mine and Jaime went off injured shortly afterwards.
We had enough subs so all was fine. Paul tipped one shot over the bar, excellent and was generally competent in his handling bar the simple ball he dropped at the foot of their bloke on our goalline. Soft!
4-1.
Tony launched forward on a rare raid and tucked away a cross for number 5. Bobby Charlton said those 90 degree passes are the hardest to hit first time. He was right so well done Tony. They scored a second in the final moments when their bloke seemed an eternity offside but our struggling linesman could not raise a flag so they had a second.
Several notable performances but I think Chris W and Joel were consistently up for it- competitive and setting the tone with very hard yet fair tackles.
Lytton Arms was  packed but the food was approved of yet again.
Next week we are away to Tesco Vets in Cheshunt. Hope people are keen to play. The followiing week if we can field our most energetic side I am convinced we can take MBDA. It's down to you boys.

Knobs 1 Old Minchendenians 3

Give them a home game, a reasonably strong team and an extra hour in bed and look what happens! They fuck it up.
In fairness to the Old Minchies they played well, they were energetic and they played for each other.
We were simply too individualistic, nice in parts of course but all too spasmodic. I felt also they were much grittier and much better at closing down.
I said at half time we, too many of us, want to hit killer balls and sure enough this trait continued into the second half to absolutely no good effect for us that is . We needed to mix things up a bit, vary it, play a few shorter and safer balls. We were all too ready to give the ball away which we were very effective at doing. Get it down, wait for support and play it a bit. It's vets' football you have more time!
The game's major incident came off the field when the crowd , Steve Bull, got into an altercation with their manager, running the line, my old mate as it happens. In an exquisite reversal of the Arsene Wenger position , as referee I claimed not to have seen or heard anything! Which indeed I hadn't.
The crowd refused to kiss and make up but the situation did not deteriorate.
Gavin went close twice in his first outing as skipper before out of the blue they scored. Alistair clearing his lines unopposed smashed it against a neighbouring body and it bounced up to their midfielder who volleyed home neatly.
Second half saw them nod in from close range from a poorly defended corner. Poorly defended in that there were three decent opportunities to clear, none taken, and they were pressing in numbers. I felt they were dangerous from all their many corners throughout the game whereas our corners, though enticing, were spurned. Must do better in this department.
We eventually got one back through Gavin advancing into the area and letting fly with an unstoppable rasper. 2-1. Plenty time with all to play for, but were we running out of steam?  Yes we were. Mark Mills, made a good break, onside from their linesman, but failed to capitalise. That could have been the turning point.
They were certain to notch with their centre forward through with only Debby to beat. He got that bit right but the ball flew off the pesky post and he dribbled it over for a goalkick. My stalwart linesman Brendan took some stick from the swelling crowd, now augmented by Joel and Vinnie,  for his non use of his flag on this occasion. But no damage done.
They scored a soft third with minutes left , when with all danger gone Mark inexplicably moved out of the way of a ball coming across which fell to their unmarked and surprised centre half who happened to be loitering and he wasn't going to miss. he didn't!
A jolly spread at the Lytton, properly served, indoors, was enjoyed by all, but sadly too few of us.
next week, chance to make amends at home to Ware Strollers.
Quiz questions , "do we miss Steve Bull?"
"Are referees and linesmen the only people who don't cheat?"

Therfield 9 Knobs 4

Close game.
Lots of chuckles in dressing room as news of the chocolates from Alistair to Brendan did the rounds. I thought it was nice. Chrysanthemums for me this week to assuage the pain of the damaged ligaments.
Tom Martin made his season's debut only hours before the imminent arrival of number two child.
Commitment! A true veteran in the making. He played very well on a heavy pitch against a rustic Therfield side.
A tight fifteen minutes was followed by a swift unravelling. We defended , won the ball , I glanced away and somehow we gave them the ball and in the moment it took me to hockle, twas in the net.
Piss poor! Two goals swiftly followed, the googly and the one that went straight on with the arm. Nought for three. Oh before this we'd effectively gone down to 10 when I succumbed to a little snap in the knee. (Lateral ligament diagnosed this morning, that's it, had a good run).
We pulled one back when a terrific cross from the Debby man reached Mark Mills who glanced in with head, shoulder or larynx. They scored again, a proper goal this time. 4-1 half time.
Oh but earlier in the contest, their man, you know the one, got involved with his rancid mouth and threatened to obliterate such bonhomie as was doing the rounds. I suppose he can't help it, some form of Tourettes syndrome but lacking any humour or intelligence. He left a nasty mark through Debbie's fishnets mind.
The tackle of Debbie and their bloke was six and two threes an "f" and two "c's", except in Alistair's eyes who considered our lass was the perpetrator.. Not in my eyes. Both go for ball both have feet off ground and crash! Noone hurt thankfully but affords an excuse for Banana Brain to have his two pennorth of crap. What constitutes a humour transplant?
Two aliens bedecked in lycra, pinks and turquoises and other less subdued colours arrived to watch a bit. Twere the injured Chris G and Bill on their bikes. Lovely they looked.
Second half with Richard pushing forward saw us create chances and we were soon back to 4-3 with goals from Richard and Chris Cox.
They scored a few more by which time Richard had hobbled homewards with a calf strain. Our nine still managed one more from a rampaging Brendan, finding the roof of the net from an Alistair cut back. John Twigg got very angry after a hard tackle, very two footed in his tackles, from Fat Shite- No Humour-  Smelly Bot Boy. It was marginally legal but John apologised for calling him a "cunt". Naturally he can't handle apologies. An unpleasant oik.
Thank you Dave for deputising in goal, at last minute and thanks to Tom.
Not an easy week to get a side out. But who cares? I do or used to.
I see Old Owens have failed to get a side out now for three league games. Hmm!
Next week we're at home, if we can find our way there, to Old Minchendenians. Bring your brollies to the Lytton for the enjoyment of your dampburgers.

Harpenden Rovers 3 Knobs 5 - report by John Dory

It’s the eternal debate – the answer to the economic problem of scarce resources and infinite wants.  Command vs. Free Market – equity vs. efficiency.  What is it to be?  It was the key debate after the game and it took away some of the attention from Dave’s magnificent 4 goal haul, the return of Trevor and the way we nearly snatched defeat from certain victory.  But what is it to be?  A league game where we desperately wanted to win but no man creates victory and no man creates defeat.  Equity vs. Efficiency.  A tough question and one no government has answered but can we answer it at Vets football.  We need to check the constitution.

We were outstanding in the first half.  We should have been six or seven up.  There was some beautiful football being played with some great inter-linking between Ali, Darren, Joel in the centre of the park, Dave (the fulcrum up front) and Richard and Gavin on the wings.  We had plenty of chances but only two were taken by half time – Dave slotted in at the back post after their keeper failed to collect and Gavin banged it in off the cross bar after Ali had teased their defence in the penalty box.  We let in a sloppy goal but it was hard to blame Trevor with the sun streaming in his eyes.  Dave blamed Tony for giving the free-kick away in the first place.  Unity is strength.  As Blair used to say ‘We’re all in this Together’ or was that Cameron?  You can barely tell them apart.  So at half-time we were 2-1 up and cruising.  Defensively we looked solid with Twiggy playing well at left back and Chris Wilson sweeping behind Tony.  Chairman Al wasn’t doing too badly either at right back and all was hunky-dory.

Substitutions (it was argued) changed the game but some could argue it was their change of formation and personnel.  Harpenden put away their passing game (they know they couldn’t compete) and started to lump it forward.  And it worked.  We looked a bit more hurried despite scoring a third with Dave sweeping in a lovely second.  This is not Dave Jordan by the way.   He came on huffing and puffing on the left flank and it was his throw on that led to the fifth goal.  This is new boy Dave who looks a very composed finisher.  We certainly need one of those!  Brendan came on and off and was only the man in the team to be part of a clean sheet.  Everyone else let in two more goals.  Both from bouncing balls and crosses in the box.  It was hectic stuff and Trevor saved our bacon with a save from a free-kick that he tipped on to the post.  At 3-3 more substitutions were made and eventually we won the game with two more goals from Dave.  One was set up by Joel with a lovely cross from the wing and the other was set up by Ali with a bit of help from Chris Cox, I think.

And that’s how it ended.  5-3.  Race for top scorer is on.  Andy must be looking over his shoulder.  There is a new man in town and he’s called Dave.  But not Jordan.  And he doesn’t have red boots.  Showers were warm, the pub was lovely, the bacon butties were great and it was all rather convivial as you would expect when visiting Harpenden.  No doubt the debate will rage on about equity vs. efficiency but for the time being we’ve concretised our position at the top end of the table and long may this continue.

Walkern 1 Knobs 1

A well fought friendly sort of game, indifferently refereed where we also had far the better chances and missed them. They led for a good portion of the game from a well struck, long range effort that Debbee could only watch and admire.
It looked as though we were never going to score when a good move featuring X,Y and Z smuggled the ball to Gaven who lashed home unstoppably. Well done.
New boy Dave showed great industry and class. Nice little cameo from Mark Mills. Tony commanding at back. Gavin and Andy lively up front.
Steve was there watching and offering astute tactical and strategic advice.
John B was there, he might play next week- read my tealeaves.
A packed pub, good turnout.
Harpenden away in league next week. Thirteen willing players needed. If you are not selected you will be first on the sheet for the away game at Therfield, the following week.
Mr Minimalism.  

Welwyn 2 Knobs 1

Watched most of game quietly from my car, my sickbed.
It was 1-0 when I arrived to see an arrangement of a team that I did not recognise. It turned out that Joel did not show- injured apparently. Jamie on sidelines with flag- achilles injury, Steve hobbling around gamefully, now out for rest of year, then Vinnie collapsing dramtically with a turned ankle which should see him unavailable for a time. Bad luck!
They weren't that great and the closeness of the final score showed that. We had the vast majority of chances that were not taken, especially second half. Andy did convert one from a slick through pass from a struggling Bully. They hardly pressed from my viewpoint.
Can't remember much memorable, good pitch, difficult wind- hard lines chaps. Perhaps Gavin can add something memorable to this terse report.

Ware Vets 4 Knobs 11 (eleven)

A game fought fairly and sportingly as the first autumn weather showed its paces. Nice pitch, wide and flat if a little slipperry in the beginning.
We had 12 and supplied the referee- me. Dave, brother of Paul Burlingham, deputised in goal. He had little to do.
An early lead, Gerry sidestepping home to convert an errant Andy cross shot. Gerry soon added the second, a cool low finish. Then it all got a bit hazy. Vinnie, from centre half, was threatening from all our many corners. Poor Dave never got a sniff, mind was there any helpful calling?
We were patiently stroking it around the back waiting to probe the easiest line of attack and this approach together with a positive employment of the width gave us many chances, many of which were spurned. Nevertheless we arrived at half time 5-0 up, probably through 2 further goals from Andy and one from Vinnie, the latter a surge from the back offering support into their six yard box and finishing in five a side style. A great diagonal cross from Jamie arrived on Gerry's head, unmarked and six yards out, but he wasted the hattrick chance by ear lobing wide. Where they did manage to compete (ie get near) we were stronger, quicker and hungrier. Tackles and interceptions from Darren and Joel in midfield, towering headers fromVinnie and piranha interventions from Tony meant they didn't have a chance. John Boyle, class at full back both defensively and going forward.
Second half came the rain and though we scored a paltry 6 we somehow conceded 4!
Andy must have scored another four since he ended up with six. Jamie scored two. One of the goals was a lovely move out to the left which saw Jamie take one touch to cross low into the six yard box where Andy was steaming in to convert. Were they getting a bit of joy when skipper Dave banished himself to the sidelines? I'm not sure. I felt they were fortunate to get four so little of the game did they enjoy. The first they sidled or stumbled in from the left, someone swung a fortuitous swiping leg at the ball and it squirmed in from the narrowest of angles. Was that 7-1? They were then given a soft penalty when Vinnie headed onto his own arm- no opposition really near him- but hey was that 8-2?
A big guy got on the ball and put his whole roast beef and yorkshire pudding into a 30 yard rocket which took off in the strengthening wind and flew into the top corner. Was that 9-3? Their fourth came from another penalty. As our fullback Ian was tripping over, he mounted the lad in front of him exhibiting 10 degrees of difficulty and down they both went. Inelegant, painless but fortunately no penetration occurred. I think that was 10-4 from the ensuing spot kick.
One memorable sight was of of Vinnie dribbling from our penalty area to theirs before his tired shot was saved. What a slalom. Dave had two chances to make his mark but skied one and had one saved. Their keeper played quite well. Should have been 20, could have been 30 but such things NEVER happen. Lads were happy with three points and 11 goals- not so happy with the goals against.
Chris Cox also played (well) and gave me a lift home to my door after we'd slurped in The Victory pub, Ware. Catering at the Lytton was again discussed informally. Will we get in on a rainy, cold day? Sundays are difficult days there! Disaster is forecast.
Next week we entertain newcomers Welwyn, a tasty outfit according to my spies, but I gather they were held to a 6-6 draw by Harpenden in their opening game.
Toodle pip.
Jeremiah


  

Knobs 2 Old Owens 0

They could not get a team together and so the game was cancelled.

2-0 league win to the knobs, both goals scored by me and 2 assists for uncle Phil!

Saints 1 Knobs 1 - report by Gavin

On a beautiful day, the league season got under way with a competitive draw in St. Albans against a Saints team that had a few new faces but rarely troubled us.  A squad of 12 ventured over to the Old Albanian pitches led by Chairman Al.  Unfortunately late withdrawals from Twiggy and Ron (we hope Maggie is okay) meant that under the intense sun, it was going to be hard work.

Gavin went in goal at half time and it was an error by him that led to the Saints goal.  A cross came in that was parried on to an on-coming striker who top-armed it in to the net.  It wasn’t long though that we got an equaliser.  Some lovely inter-play from Joel, Jamie, Bully and Chris Wilson led to Vinny being through on goal and he tucked it away neatly.  What a good finisher he is.  Chris Griffiths got injured halfway through the first half after a brave clearance and had to come off but we finished the half stronger with a lovely passage of passing that created an opportunity for Joel that was missed.  An appeal for a penalty had been turned down after Vinny was fouled by their goalkeeper and they had a goal disallowed for offside, which was marginal.  Overall though it was an even half.

The second half continued in a similar fashion with midfields dominating posession but without any end result from either side.  Chris Griffiths went in goal and produced one exceptional save that kept us in the match.  Gavin had one saved and missed a couple of opportunities.  Bully got himself removed from play for a little bit as he hadn’t followed the code of conduct as stated in the changing rooms beforehand.  The game finished a draw and that was it.

Reflections on the match – defencely we looked very solid although the full backs probably need to cover the centre halves better, depending on what side the attack is coming from.  Ali is clearly the man to use if there is a centre forward that needs to be man-marked.  Going to a 4-4-2 formation wasn’t that bad.  We looked solid in midfield with Chris Wilson dominating and Gerry chasing down everything.  Even though Garston gave us a kicking, it did show that we should have patience in build-up play and when we did that yesterday, we looked really good.  However, passing around the back four is okay but there are times when you do need to ‘get rid’.  Also having a big man and a fast man up front has potential.  The back-line struggled with the physicality of Vinny and this created more opportunities for Gavin.  Tony marshalled the defence well but it is vital that Brendan or whoever is playing full back holds the line that he requests.  And as of last year, we need a goalkeeper…but apparently this is being resolved next week.

Remember – presentation evening on Friday and Old Owen’s at home on Sunday.  Have a good week everyone.

Knobs 0 Garston 7

A fine, warm morning. Thirteen make themselves available. The might of 'one or two away' Garston for our first fixture, then 35 to go. Isn't it exciting, is it fuck!
Ron back as manager until someone else steps forward and takes over a good little set up for Vets football. A nice pitch, repainted changing rooms, burgers free after the game at the Lytton, courtesy of Alistair's negotiations. Dressing rooms unlocked and locked, courtesy of Alistair, dressing rooms and corridor swept after the game, courtesy of Alistair, keys collected before the game, courtesy of Alistair and kit taken home after the game to be washed , courtesy of Alistair. Who is this guy Alistair? He scored nine goals at 5 a side Thursday night! He missed one today but, our season's first chance. Yet he had a very sound second half stemming the Garston attacks. Sounds a great guy.
Does he do tricks?
Anyway with the seson barely underway Garston inexplicably found themselves 6 up!
We were too fit for our own good. If we had realised early on that we could not match them fitness and football wise we should have retreated into a shell. The shell being the goalmouth. Defend very narrow with maximum numbers of bodies, 10,  leaving Gavin to roam free. Give them all the space on the pitch in front of us and wide and simply defend the crosses with bodies and guts. No we were fit enough to go and challenge them in parts of the pitch where we just could not match them and we paid the price. Hands up if you were miles from the action when the converted crosses went in?
Second half much better. Till the last moments it was 0-0, pride more than salvaged against a fitter, younger, far more football savvy side. Then a freak ricochet led to a final goal from close in.
We, as expected, did manage some decent, good on the eye attacks but they could and did defend  very ruggedly.
Well played, Paul, in goal, not an error! I thought Ali and Steve in midfield showed class, Tony excellent at the back. Chris G  and Darren dogged in midfield when their turn came, and Alistair committed in his stint at centre back. All the others, Richard, Phil, Brendan, shot over from inside right position when playing left back!, John Twigg, Gavin, got some shots off under pressure, sounds like someone's sex life, Gerry all had their moments.
Only person to get the whole 90 minutes? Gavin. All others took their substitutions and turns on the bench without demur.
Lytton Arms packed, we sat outside and awaited the grub. A tad too long? People do tend to drift away.
Next week Saints away in first league game.

St Albans 2 Knobs 4 - report by Davey Wavey

What a strange time to play a game of footy, 1st of July! As our fixture secretary/manager is so keen to keep us young bucks active we had players aplenty. Well 2 subs at least.There was one absentee which was young Ronald. I hear he had a nagging leg or was that wife! I'm not sure. We were welcomed at the Francis bacon and eggs school by a sorry looking changing room with no showers as they were 300 yards and 2 streets away. Lyle our STAND in keeper acquired some gloves from the opposition before we made our way out not sure whether they were those special ones with holes in. The pitch looked lush and needed a cut. I gambled with the toss and decided to play up hill against the wind which was to pay dividends. The game started at a good pace with their defence and midfield playing the ball to feet neatly and finding space sometimes too easily. Ian my MOM was organising our back 4 of Darren Chris W and Twiggy very well and most of their chances were from outside the box. Lyle was showing his keeper skills by not being able to kick the ball straight or far. So Chris took all goal kicks.The pace picked up and there was alot of posession to be had by both sides. Phil was trying the long curve ball tactic  which was being held up in the wind. I think (please help can't remember) that it was a long punt from Phil that found Vinny's head and a Carroll Esq header put us 1 nil to the good. Our second came 10 minutes later when Jamie (sub for Twiggy) found himself cutting in from the left flank to the bye line where he cooly fooled the keeper and slotted home for 2. We were looking comfortable at half time and the team talk consisted of keep pressing high and when Lyle our STAND in keeper gets a chance he will throw the ball out rather than kick it. From the start we sat a bit too deep and allowed them to come forward. I believe it was a thumble from Lyle our STAND in keeper that allowed them to score. They had their tales up and it wasn't long before they had their second. Although there was a blatant penetration from the rear on Darren which the ref failed to spot. In my opinion they were 2 goals they did not deserve. Anyway Lyle our STAND in keeper tried his best at kicking and even throwing needless to say i think we still have a keeper issue. Something to ponder for the future me thinks. Phil was exposed for most of the second half as he had 2 midfielder's and a defender to contend with there wasn't much support for him as he was chasing shadows 3 in fact. 30 minutes gone and Ian found himself pinging another quality ball down field which found their defender who thought he was making a basic back pass over his keepers head in to the net. 3.2 and we were eventually getting on top of the game with the oppo beginning to tire we started playing some good passing moves involving Brendan of all people. This was one of his better games and may it continue into the season. Our final goal came with a minute to go.Once again Ian pinged a 40 yard precision pass to Dave who was well out side the box and running on to the ball. On the up lift of the bounce Dave smacked it first time and with dip ,swerve and definitely power the ball launched over the keeper and found itself in the back of the net. I've always said top quality strikers are hard to come by and we still haven't found one. As this is the start of the new season i am claiming this wonder strike as goal of the season thus far. Average turn out at the bar which had a strange feel to it. Reminded me of the pub scene in American werewolf in London. "Stay off the moors and keep to the paths"

Foot Note-:
    When's the fucking presentation!!!!!! 

AGM

The AGM at the Lytton Arms was sparsely attended. The usual club workhorses attended.
The management job was open to offers but none came. Ron decided to give it another go more or less by default.
Two things:
1. We need a goalkeeper, hopefully gold old Trevor will return after his sabbatical.
2. Substitutes. On off substitutes will be employed irrespective of the state of play in a game and irrespective of the staus of the game. Substitutes, unless there is an injury, will start taking place after 20 minutes. Everyone will get  regular rests during the course of the season. substitutions will therefore not always be on made on pure footballing grounds but to ensure everyone gets a fair turn on the pitch for what is after all a Sunday morning veteran's social club.
If you do not agree with this arrangement please take it up with the committee who will spell things out.
Probably t-o-u-g-h  t-i-t-t-i-e!
Seriously though this was the meeting's unanimous agreement. OK.
Enjoy the summer  and stay positive.

Ashwell 1 Knobs 3

The last post!
A dreary sort of morning that owed nothing to the early start. It was bliddy freezing.
We all eventually arrived at the right place after a little detour. Mark Mills arrived- then Mark Mills went, so it looked like our 11 against their 10 until Brendan relinquished the linesman's flag and it was our 11  against their ......
They started slickly on the astroturf but hardly reached the half way line in their approach play- something  better than a fundamental belief in keeping it on the ground was needed. Up stepped Ali, who began with the energy of a train , swerving and dribbling past men at will. A neat move gave him possession in the area and he neatly tucked away Knobs first. Soon after Richard might have notched with the head but the keeper saved. This became the mantra of the match...."and the keeper saved". He certainly did, time and time again, his forte being the elegant tip over the cross bar, time and again, including an overhead kick from Dave late on!
Did I mention Dave's overhead kick? Well he had his back to goal and he kicked it over his head.
First half proceeded with it being one way traffic in Knobs favour. Mr Boyle risen from his sick bed- a nearby bar stool - relished the astroturf and one blistering shot from a narrow angle- should he have squared it back?- was saved by keeper Del- playing his first ever game in goal. After a lot of joy down the right through perceptive Steve, Ali, John and Darren play, Brendan was removed- by them- their 11th man had turned up. They threatened not. Dave punched a cross away and pulled off one competent save. Little changed till half time which Knobs led 1-0.
Second half saw a little bit of Ali's renowned feistiness as he was pulled down from behind (literally buggered actually) but he had the last laugh when he surged into the area and was chopped by the defender before stumbling, struggling for verticality before crashing to earth- penalty which Steve converted, same cool, same position.
Paul now in goal aimed a kicked clearance right at their centre forward 25 out and he dispatched into an empty goal. From then on the scoreline remained tight though the result hardly seemed in doubt, mind we've suffered from certain errors all season. Alistair sold a brilliant dummy down the right- one and six, no change- surged to the by line and squared. From feet out John Boyle of all people contrived to spoon over. The goal keeper kept tipping over and Dave in his fifth position of the game, no. 69 I think, had a commendable overhead kick tipped over.
Another piece of Ali strength and skill saw him work a chance onto his left in the area then start all over again to get it on his right. This he managed before side footing neatly home, no tipping over this time.
The game finished in good spirits. The showers were filled with aching, steaming, naked bodies but all the talk was of Dave's curious overhead kick, especially by Dave. Off we all went home, the kit left for poor old John Boyle to wash.
I chose a lift from Dave if  only for the pleasure of being regaled by him on the sheer, brutal mechanics of that overhead kick which was, as we all know, tipped over the bar!
How did he do that? Ask Euclid.
A small gathering in an empty Station, a little mirth then yem. I hate to see John on the Pepsi- seems such a waste.
Have a nice summer when it comes. See some of you hopefully for the game v St Albans City on July 1st. Trevor is in goal I think.
AGM is next Sunday at the Lytton where new officials will be picked. Good luck.
Ron

Knobs 1 Buntingford 4

A poor end to the home fixtures at dull as dishwater Knebworth Rec. Players looked jaded and devoid of interest or passion. Far too many fixtures arranged for the season perhaps. Next season  we probably should have a dozen or so football games and more bathchair races and pub crawls. yet the league is planning to expand with two new teams, one playing in Welwyn and the other from north of Sandy.
A goalkeeper is a priority however many games we have.
 They didn't create a host of chances but looked and indeed were the better football unit. They deserved their win. A good and fair opposition who were quite energetic in midfield I thought. A good turn out in the Station afterwards was praiseworthy.
Which Knobs played well?
Well Brendan did. Paul was competent at left back and had a good start in goal, being hailed the 'new Dave' before the plaudits went to his head and he let in two snorters. Can't be blamed - he volunteered, an excuse we've hid behind too often this season.
They led half time 2-0 thanks to a neatly placed shot from their CF and a close range stab in from a cross that our defenders and keeper should have competed for more vigorously.
Gavin did some good things but his rare possession was usually from his own foraging. He was ill served. He scored our only goal from a slaloming run from half way which he finished off well.
He was then inexplicably substituted. Was he knackered?
Their keeper saved well and handled well when he went in for the second half. A 30 yard low exocet from Alistair turned round the post being one of his highlights.
Having 14 players for once seemed a distinct disadvantage in that the frequent roll on off subs seemed to bring about wholesale changes to team 'formation' as players tried out a number of positions for size. "How do I look in this?"- fucking rubbish geroff again.
Bill showed his handling skills well in preventing a through ball on goal which would have been a red card in Alistair's reckoning, Two minutes to go, well behind- did it matter.
An opportunity to finish off the season in style against Litlington away but the numbers look unpromising for next week.
Enjoy your rest you lucky people. Wish I could have had the chances you lot had to play the finest game in the world. But alas Father Time's sickle has severed me legs below the knees.
Dreaming on!

Saints 1 Knobs 0 - Report by Gavin

The weather forecast for the weekend was sunshine and showers and when you reflect on our league performances this season, we’ve seen something similar. We’ve played some excellent football in patches and on Sunday it was no different but unfortunately we did not prevail against a very good, energetic Saints team that sneaked a goal in the first half that proved to be the difference. It was disappointing and terribly frustrating but now we must plan ahead for next season. What could make the difference? A good keeper would certainly help. To be fair to Dave, he’s actually been pretty good but sometimes (as we saw on Sunday) communication issues occur when players are playing in unfamiliar positions…even the basics like picking up a back pass become fraught with danger. Saints found their goalkeeper halfway through the season and as their manager pointed out, he’s made a world of difference. And you could see it, with confident handling from crosses and great speed off the line to close down attacking options. So it is up to Darren our recruitment officer to find us a new Trevor or hopefully we could welcome back the old Trevor next season, although that rather looks like a long shot. And variations to our play are so important. On Sunday, we saw Saints change their strategy, where they man-marked Ali in the second-half and changed their centre-back to nullify Gavin. It’s the kind of thing we never seem to do and maybe we should be a bit more pro-active at working our opposition’s strengths and weaknesses at half-time.

As for the game…we had quite a strong line-up and had chances in the first half. Bully played Gavin in on a couple of occasions with some beautiful passes but alas, the chances were not buried. Richard found it difficult to get shots in when he received it in a crowded penalty area and John also maybe had a half-chance from an Ali cross but I’m not too sure. He certainly had a bust up with their keeper though…marvellous stuff. Ron was rightly proud in the pub afterwards – ‘that’s my boy’ he said as he stifled back a tear. Chris Wilson hit a lovely shot that just went past the post. Their goal came from the bloke with a lovely left foot but mysteriously it came from his right as he breezed past John and poked it past a non-diving Dave. Defensively we were quite sound throughout, with Darren, Chris G, Tony, Brendan, Paul and Bill all doing a pretty good job against a big lump of a centre forward and their players running off him. In the second half, we didn’t create as many chances, Chris Cox had one apparently and Richard was nearly through again. The defining moment came when Gavin raced past two defenders in the dying minutes only to see his cutback dissect the on-coming Ali and Richard, who would have had an empty net to aim at. Eventually it fell to Tony who blasted over. It was so disappointing and the sheer agony of it all could be seen in the changing room afterwards.

Not in the pub though!!! We had a fine old time. Food came out promptly and much discussion was had about this game, the next game, Bully’s adventure at the Belfry next weekend and Bill getting out on his bike. Ahhh…that’s the pleasure of playing for the KNOBS isn’t it? The pint, the chat and the ribbing afterwards. Did we have fun team??? Of course we did. It was so fun; I’ve already text Dave for next week. Roll on Standon!

League news – Blunham Vets beat MBDA at the weekend 5-3. It means if Blunham beat Sandridge next week (away) they would win the league. If Sandridge win 2 of their remaining 3 games, we could end up being 6th but currently we stand at 5th as Saints overtook us this weekend.

Walkern 1 Knobs 7 - Report by Gavin, edited by super sub Darren

What a difference a week makes. From the misery of Easter Sunday to the goal-fest of this Sunday, we showed what a good team we can be when we pass the ball about and have the energy and dynamism of Chris and Ali in midfield – both excellent on the day.

The morning started with Richard heading off to a different venue, and the disappointment for Darren of starting as a sub despite early morning gifts to the manager. Football can be a dirty business at times but it’s good to see that our manager can rise above it. If you are going to bribe Dave, you have to be more subtle.

It’s unusual to put your best players on the bench to start, but it did prove to be a tactical master stroke.

On a pitch that was covered with lots of different athletic markings, very narrow but strangely long, we started off knocking the ball about nicely but space was at a premium. These strange markings did seem to confuse Tony in the second half. He thought he was on the half way line only to find he was at second base on the Rounders pitch.

We finally made the breakthrough with a fortuitous goal that came from a Gavin header (thus claiming it) which rebounded off a defender and a goalie to settle in the net. After a while they went up the other end and scored thanks to a headed goal. At this stage it was a close battle and the game could have gone either way.

It was at this point that Dave revealed his master plan and turned the game in our favour. The starting unit had softened up the oppo, now it was time to unleash the beasts from the sideline!

At once, John (in his new boots and now in his proper position) settled the KNOBS nerves with a well taken goal. A hoof up the pitch from Dave was headed on by Vinny, trapped by Gavin and played back to Vinny who picked out John (steaming in like Carlos Alberto) who thumped it home.

In the second half, a HUGE moment came in the match. Walkern attacked and a great effort by their striker was acrobatically turned round the post by Dave in goal. Was it a turning point? It certainly was. His comedy punched clearance in the first half is now forgotten. That moment from the manager lifted the whole team. He really is an inspiration. (Gavin is a kiss arse!)

Suddenly we were playing total football, led by the surging runs of Ali, the energy of Chris W and the passing skills of Bully. Gavin scored his second with a run and a shot from outside the area. Then Ali scored the first of his three. And that was it…the game was gone from Walkern. A blatant penalty against Richard wasn’t given but it didn’t matter. The goals just kept on coming and some of them were beauties. Ali’s second one was reminiscent of the England v Holland classic scored by Shearer. For Gascoigne and Sheringham, read Boyle and Simpson. Ali’s final goal…the dink over the goalie was lovely and as the Walkern goalie remarked ‘…they’re taking the piss now.’ – ahhh yes…and it felt good. Gavin Mentioned again!!) should have scored six but was happy with his second hat-trick of the season. Defensively we were sound despite the dominance. It could have been easy to get a bit over-confident but Chris G marshalled the defence well alongside Tony. Brendan, Chairman Al and Darren all came forward and supported attack from their full-back positions. Chris C made his comeback and played solidly on the left midfield. Vinny showed that he can play centre-back as well as centre-forward. That kind of versatility could be crucial when we’re searching for a Plan B in competitive league matches.

And that was it. 7-1. Comprehensive stuff without a phantom goal in sight. Complaints were made that we had a young side out but that’s slightly hypocritical given the last match – there were certainly no twenty year-olds in our team. I skipped off early to go back for my gammon roast and therefore didn’t go to the pub but I’m sure we revelled in the glory of it all, although slightly stinky as the showers didn’t work. Oh well. Can we tell Chairman Al the F1 result now? It was Rosberg. Next match is against the Saints at home. The last league match. COME ON!!! Let’s make 3rd our own.

Knobs 1 Walkern 4

Strange result but fairly easily explained. We lost in the goalkeeping department.

Kicking uphill we played some very impressive stuff unluckily failing to net. They managed a couple of chances, without any fluidity of play, which they badly missed. One gorgeous move between Phil and Steve ended with a first time Phil rocket which shaved the goal. Another pleasing move saw a Gerry centre across the face of the goal see Vinnie's close range poke glide wide. The post took a battering! At the back Ian was having a blinding debut, heading

powerfully, intercepting well, talking well and showing an ability to play balls forward with pace and power. 0-0 at half time. Bill and John were proving solid at full backs, allaying fears of the doubters. An unchanged set up second half would have been just the job kicking downhill. But with the current keeper Dave, improving between the sticks with every game, itching for a game out Twiggy volunteered for a stint at keeper. Not one one of John's more inspired games as Knob guardian. But he did volunteer not many others would. They swiftly scored three and the game was irretrievable. Who am I to say the winning or competing is all?

True their fourth goal came via an 18 year old's sprint forward and a diving header by their 17 year old centre forward but the presence of these two youngsters was not the reason for the defeat though hardly a part of vets football ethos. I thought we handled them really well.

If we want to win games we either need a keeper or we use Dave. If it's a case of people just taking a turn between the posts then we must quietly accept the consequences, often they will spell defeat despite any good outfield play we muster. By the way during the last ten minutes their strapping 17 year old asked me four times how long was left! Hardly the confidence of superior youth.

We pegged back a goal from a Steve penalty after both Ali and Vinny were pushed at a corner by the same marker. Soft? Nah, stone dead penalty. Their keeper produced two world class reflex saves to prevent a narrowing of the arrears.

For the benefit of their manager Tony we played 90 minutes + 3 minutes over time at the end of the first and second halves.

I thought Ali was terrific, Steve was effective till subdued by his ankle problem, Vinny put himself about, Phil was classy and was unlucky with volleys, Gerry was wholehearted and effective and everyone played well I thought.

Next week a return game against this mob which I fully anticipate will be a Knobs' victory

MBDA 3 Knobs 1

Arriving 15 minutes into the game on an exceptionally sunny day one was pleasantly surprised to see the Knobs were 1-0 up. Gavin had slotted home a loose ball after an Ali (that Ali) shot had been parried. Early impressions were that Gavin and Andy could very well be on the verge of a field day with their speed. Gavin a few yards out could hardly miss had he not been so obviously fouled from behind. Some referees do not like to give penalties. They then came into the game with three goal attempts in a short space of time which did not bode well for the rest of the match. None registered.
An old bugbear but one to bear in mind, on off substitutions can disturb team coherence and radically alter the flow of the performance, rarely is there an improvement in a competitive game of substituting on the grounds of constitutional dictats.
Opinions as to team shape and who should play in which position is a matter of many opinions but I felt in the context of this game, certainly, that Vinnie would have been most potent in the final third of the pitch harrassing their back four who were too comfortably winning balls and being afforded time to distribute it constructively.
Mind you they are a good side and looked individually comfortable throughout. They probably deserved their win over the piece showing coherence and high energy levels. The boy Paine/ Payne (or simply whingeing cunt) was a threat throughout and was strong on the ball making two of their goals with crosses. Theoretically all three goals were preventable in that the moves were not robustly contested but you could say that about most goals. They were probably the fitter side but having said that how many of our players probably had energy left to burn by the end but were conserving it to lift pint glasses later.
Gavin makes a crap linesman by the way, likes to chat to the crowd too much- me and Bill.
Nowt much more to say other than there was a good turn out in the 'garden' of the Royal Oak where drinks were quoffed and a 'splendid' sandwich buffet was enjoyed.
Next week Easter Sunday there is a game away to Walkern probably at Thomas Alleyne school, hope the availability is positive.

Goldings 5 Knobs 1 - Report by Twiggy

What a cock up all round! On Saturday night after emailing and texting everybody and putting the team up on the blog, I assumed that we would have 13 players. By Sunday morning this had turned into 9 and a half. Apologies to Jamie and Joel – it would appear that the “up-to-date” list of players’ emails and telephone numbers didn’t have you on it after all. I did wonder why james-buck@sky.com failed to reply to the two emails I sent him asking whether he was going direct – not surprising because he wasn’t you in the first place! All this and I had refused two players a game as well, thinking that 13 would be sufficient, not knowing that Crossers would cry off after his funny turn at the Olympics Park on Saturday, apparently the effort involved after being asked to say “Bonjour” in English proved all too great.

And so it was with the rest of the ten who started on Sunday. We could easily have beaten Goldings with any eleven of our players and probably could have done the same with ten if we had approached the game with something akin to a positive attitude.

Right from the start it became clear that it wasn’t our day when Bully missed a penalty in the opening minutes after Richard had been scythed down in the area. Bully was clearly out of breath at that point and despatched the kick limply and wide, not at all with his usual aplomb.

During the first half we played some excellent football with Chris W, Phil, John , Darren and Bully linking up well in spells. Golding’s efforts were poor given our one-man deficit, which eventually told when a long looping cross was volleyed in at the far post. Chris W responded for us but after another fluky deflected attempt from Goldings went in we retired for our half-time talk 2-1 down.

Chris G seized the moment and decided that he would like to make changes….but then realised this might be made more difficult by the -1 on the subs bench.
We were still in it though, and had several good chances before conceding again. The floodgates then opened when Phil had to retire half way through the second half to fulfil family commitments, a goal and disputed penalty ensued, end result 5-1.

ChrisG, Bill and I made it up to the Golden Griffin in an attempt to eat 11players’ sandwiches, sausage rolls and pork pies.
Tellingly, the oppo enquired as to why Bully had his arse in his hand all match – can’t imagine why?

Sack the management I say!

Blunham 4 Knobs 1 - Report by Gavin Simpson

To be honest, we could have probably won it. Looking back, if we had converted some of our chances in the first half the game could have been radically different. Talking of radical, the curse of Mothers’ Day struck again and the team on Sunday compared no comparison to the team the week before. Some would argue that the ageing side was the reason we lost but as I’ve already written, we could have won it. But before people criticise the team, a lot of the time it is said that we win as a team and we lost as a team but I think it is important to point out that we win as a squad and we lose as a squad. All eleven players featured for the 90 minutes. That’s tough against a team who knock it around like Blunham do. It was okay in the first half but it became more difficult in the second half and as the game got stretched we became more vulnerable and hence the goals they scored. Now…onto the game. Twiggy had a difficult selection dilemma as we had a lot of defenders but that didn’t stop us attacking well in the first half. Gavin had one tipped round the post and dreadfully dallied at a second opportunity when clear through. New player Gary hit a barn-stormer that just went narrowly wide and there were a few other scrambled attempts. Paul didn’t have much to do in goal until the last few minutes when a long ball over the top led to a one-on-one. We were all willing him to come off his line to close the striker down but alas, he went the other way back on to his line and that meant 1-0 to Blunham. In the second half they came out strongly with a new formation and we couldn’t cope. We were starved of possession and soon found ourselves down 4-0, with their 4th goal being particularly good. We still had chances, Brendan had a header saved, Gavin blazed one over and saw a weak header go wide. Finally we did get a goal as Des rampaged forward with Tony on his outside. He chose not to pass to him and it somehow ended up ricocheting off a defender, Gavin passed it back to Brendan who unleashed a ripper of a shot from 40 yards (divided by 4) past their keeper. Only days before he had scored a goal for a Rest of the World XI vs Latin America XI – he’s on a roll!!!! I forgot that minutes before that a blatant penalty had not been given and in the final seconds Martin (our other new player) headed just over from a corner. It was a tough game, played in good spirit and for a while in that first half, we played some lovely passing football with Bully, Ali, Tony and Martin being particularly effective. We were pretty solid at the back with Chris and Bill in the back four and like I said, Paul rarely had a save to make. So…our league run has ended and the fight for 3rd place continues. Well done to all those who turned up and put in lots of energy. It was disappointing not to come away with something. Anyway, onwards and upwards!!!

Knobs 6 Old Minchendenians 2

In the end, well after about 15 minutes it turned out to be a comfortable win. A return to form?Not really this was a new Knobs, the immediate future, on the whole strangers to each other on the 'turf' of the Rec. Probably the youngest Knobs team out for many a year and each and everyone of them looked comfortable and involved. The old guys John Boyle and Dave helped them settle in.
Some good football was evident from the off with Knobs showing verve and pace. I can hardly remember all the details of how the goals went in what with trying to referee and working out who I am! Yet the first saw their centre half fall victim to a bouncy pitch when his sliced clearance was seized upon by Andy and comfortably slotted home. Murmurrings from their number 4! The second was headed in from a corner by Ali, not that Ali, and the murmurrings grew.
The third was goal of the game as Steve launched a delicious pass down the right which was gathered swiftly by Andy. He wasted no time in crossing to the far post where the newly arrived Gavin, in a game, on the pitch and on the spot headed his first. We were threatening frequently and could have been more than four up at the interval. Number 4 was ankle tapping, though it was all out of my vision anyway he got me neighbour chirping. A murmur here and a chirrup there, all very spring like.
What else happened first half? Dave's flying save or was that second half? There was also a terrific drive which the keeper tipped over, probably a shot from Phil. A wee altercation between Vinnie and their midfield general.
Second half saw them come a little more into it, but only a little, but by then they were 4-0 down courtesy of a fiercely struck shot/cross from Andy out right which flew into the net via a post. An impossible angle? No such thing obviously.
A Knobs penalty appeal for blatant handball had been turned down at 3-0, for several very good and intricate reasons . Occam's Razor, Tony, cut through the rhetoric, "you bottled it"! Probably a tad correct. The fifth goal was a nice one. A first time pass from Phil took out their defence for Gavin to speed onto and delicately put away. They scored from an unnecessarily conceded corner, an own goal at the near post. Gavin's speed off the mark, terrible boots by the way, saw Knobs get a sixth and they scored a second somehow. I was coming to terms with my identity crisis and wasn't paying close attention. Don't remember. The last 15 minutes was goalless as substitutes came and went in the glorious sunshine at the rate of one a minute.
New players Joel, Craig, Ali and Jamie put in good shifts- and attended the pub afterwards. All in all some excellent effort and enterprise which was pleasing on the eye. Huge crowd, mainly travelling support.
Next week it's Mother's Day and away to Sandy- an improbable mix. Hope a team will emerge to compete.
See you all at the Team Meeting in Old Stevenage next Friday night.
Au revoir.

Knobs 3 Shephall 2

We scored 3 like last week but this time didn't concede 5- c'est la difference!

We had 14, tricky for the sub meister. Enter on-off Phil to point out the dilemmas. He was possibly man of the match for positioning and being able to pass the ball to a fellow Knob, but Chris W put in a ferocious shift as well.

Incessant rain created a mud heap well before the end so that the first twenty minutes when some clever football might have been possible was vital. Neither side took advantage of this time slot and the outcome was a slog with the final result always a little in doubt.

A first goal finally came from Andy slaloming across the mud before unleashing a distance shot which the keeper fumbled over his head and across the line. They all count. Earlier Dave pulled off a cracking diving save which diverted the ball onto a post, along the line and away to safety.

With Vinny fretting to be away to assuage the wife's angst we didn't look terribly threatening going forward when we rerached the last third. We lost the effective Ali for a time when his boot was reduced to a carpet slipper but he came on to good account in the second half having borrowed one from the departing Vinny. On such small things are great events decided.

Half time 1-0.

Kicking downhill after the break should have been a doddle against a much less physical side, surely the smallest we face, yet it was not to be. In fact for a twenty minute spell all cohesion and togetherness seemed to have deserted the Knobs. (Criticism- Jamie spent a vital period as flagman- it's hard I know). They equalised from a shot, following an unecessary freekick from our left that diverted unstoppably off Tony's back. Could we avoid collapse? We could. One of umpteen corners flew across the area to where Phil had sensibly positioned himself beyond the far post- he unleashed a screamer via the underside of the bar to put us ahead. The corner went out and came in? Not from where I was standing. Their better placed linesman did not flag either. Andy embarked on a couple of solo runs ending in shots that went for power but went over. Our third was controversial , to them. A ball knocked forward toward an offside Andy was ignored by him and by everyone else except Phil, who running from an onside position retrieved the ball. A pass across goal ensued, which was dispatched by Andy.

3-1. Yes the pass was on a forward trajectory but the receiving player was behind it when it was played and ran onto it. Offside, definitely not, Phil?

They immediately broke and pulled one back when a shot from range slid through the net, nearly erred there, thanks to Ali, nuff said, 3-2 and so it remained.

Can't report on pub since I retired to the sofa to 'enjoy' the rest of the Newcastle- Makkems game.

Only one team in it and Newcastle more than deserved the point. That Clatterhole, what a prat of the lowest order. The 30 seconds-in leg breaker on Tiotte should have been a straight red miles before his true colours were shown after the final whistle. Can't take it, gives the referee abuse- the ref doesn't take it , gives him a red. post match entertainment! Cattermole, thick as a brick as well as narrrsty!

LATEST!!!!!

Apparently Dave gave Darren a black eye in a bit of high jinx- the showers were freezing again- the opposition failed to make the pub (cold showers,hardly surprising) and the 'food' was so late in arriving that Steve and Tony had gone home hungry. We are obviously irrelevant in the food queue at the Station, why do we bother? The grub is NEVER remotely on time for us.

Knobs 3 Old Accies 5

Not outplayed, far from hammered, Knobs suffered their first defeat of 2012 at the feet and lungs of not so old Old Accies. A bright, sunny morning probably enjoyed by all apart from the result.
Neat football by both sides promised a proper footballing occasion and so it proved but they had that little bit more energy to roll out over the 90 minutes. An early change in midfield took place when Chris Cox succumbed to a calf strain. This probably led to too open a game without Chris's buzzing presence. Still Knobs took the lead when a free kick was given after a thrusting run by Ali was illegally stopped. Phil's free kick rocketed off the bar and was neatly tucked away by Darren new boots. They equalised softly when a penalty was given for a possibly harsh handball against Jamie. End to end stuff then they took the lead when a break was converted by their hairy winger. The most hair seen on a Vet for many a year and not a gray one among them- suspicious! Immediately from the kick off Knobs equalised with the goal of the season for cheek and execution. Kick off to Ali who it rolled back to Phil who scored from his own half with a phemenal punt over the keeper languishing near the edge of his area.
They scored a third on a break from our right touchline when a quick throw left three of our players ahead of the ball. First an excellent head off the line by Chris, I think, stalled them but they quickly netted when unchallenged. Half time 3-2.
Second half we threatened frequently and ill fortune denied us. A John cross shot hit the post and other shots were scuffed or larruped wide. An unfortunate keeping error led to their fourth. Sufficient to say it will enter the annals of Knob's part time goalkeeper howlers. Yet still we threatened but seemed to be running out of steam. Dave came out of goal to beef things up and Joel cracked one in to make it 4-3. Near the end they broke and from a resulting cross their man lashed in an unstoppable fifth. John had a neat snap header just wide from a fierce Joel cross and Dave might have headed in near the end but seemed to lose his bearings.
The pub was quiet. People raced home to watch the footy, Spurs were 2-0 up and some Knobs were purring. What was the final score by the way?
Taraa!

Ware Strollers 0 Knobs 4 - report by Dandy Dave

Now that there's no snow to be seen i would have expected a pitch that was sodden and full of mud. In fact i was surprised because the pitch we played on was sodden and full of mud! I was also surprised to find that we turned up at the ground with no kit. It took us all 10 minutes to realise that the kit hadn't made it's way to the ground as Jamie forgot to pass it on to the nearest consenting adult (there's not many of them in the team) That said we were offered an oversized kit which was originally set aside for the Bengeo fat fighters club. Well played Ware Strollers for the offer. Little did they know we were going to beat them comprehensively in their own shirts. The game kicked off with us playing against a low lying sun on a very muddy surface which we coped with better than we have in the past. From the off our back 4 were resolute and strong with lots of encouragement and positive talking .Chris G and Brendan played like a pair of seasoned pros snuffling any chances that came Ware's way.Ware's lone centre forward who had a low centre of gravity wasn't given any chance of turning to make space for himself to shoot. If he did have any opportunity he was promptly closed down by Ally, Chris, Brendan or Darren. Well done,solid to the final whistle. Once we found our rhythm we began to play some attractive football especially in the middle where we had 4 players supporting Bully who was stroking the ball to our wingers or wing backs. In saying that it was master craftsman Bully who played a wide ball out to Darren who found himself in acres of farmland before unleashing a thunder bolt of a shot which ripped the top corner of the net. To say Darren was ecstatic would be an understatement. His new boots have already paid dividends. It's what the game was asking for and it put us in the ascendancy 30 minutes gone and a Bully corner found the head of John B who dispatched a nice little flick on to make it 2 nil. Some say it was an OG im not so sure can anyone clarify? The second half started as usual with us taking our foot off the gas and letting the oppo play football. We put ourselves under alot of unnecessary pressure. Lucky for us Ware didn't have decent enough players to give our keeper any problems. Please feel free to make your comments on our keepers performance. Trevor seems a distant memory at the moment! We weathered any storm that was put in front of us and after 20 minutes Vinny found himself in a position where he could have made it 3 nil. Instead he found the tallest tree in Bengeo to kick the ball at and it nestled in the branches approximately 120 feet above sea level. Not to be down beat he found himself in a one on one with the keeper 3 minutes later which some how ended up with the ball being smacked at him and rebounding in to the net. Vinny's second and 12th of the season was a sumptuous placed shot using the defender as a foil and curling it in the bottom corner of the net from 18 yards. Lots of chips bread and pizza at the White Hart afterwards which saw a pretty good turn out.The 451 formation is working well at present although some say it depends on your personnel or who you play. I think its about getting the right blend of character and who's up for the fight! I couldn't fault our back 4 plus subs. The midfield were tight and did not shirk from their responsibility's, eg-: Steve Bull slide tackling in our penalty box and taking out Chris G. Un heard of!! Both wingers making a nuisance of them selves and central midfield being the engine of the team, whilst our lone striker whether it be Vinny or Andy was a hand full to say the least. I wouldn't hesitate to pick this team for next week. Talking of next week we are playing UCL Accies minus John B who only plays on certain Sundays iv' e been told. Get a fucking grip man, at your age you should appreciate playing every game.
A quick foot note:- Did our keeper have a good game? Answers on a post card.

Tutty Bye!

Sandy /Blunham v Knobs cancelled

Cancelled due to winter. We have a full fixture list so I do not know who we should scrub in order to fit in a rescheduled Blunham game. Suggestions?
Of course we could suggest May 29th, a Saturday date or a midweek evening date, they must have lights at Biggleswade.
Next week away v Ware, in the league, winter permitting.
Nothing much to say now except I see Newcastle won again and are above Arsenal in the league.
Cisse and Ba, cor blimey, wait till we get Tiotti and Cabaye back!
Bye Bye.
Cocky Pike.

Knobs 5 Sandridge Rovers 1

A keenly fought contest deservedly won by the home side. Never seemed to be a feeling that this would be anything other than Knobs day even though at halftime the score stood at 1-1.
First half some neat approach play was exhibited by both sides without either keeper being particularly busy. A flighted Bully corner was emphatically headed in by Vinnie, helped in no little way by a speedy decoy run to the front post by Gavin. More of this sort of initiative at set pieces please. Static is bad! They broke for an equaliser, a nice move, well finished. Knobs desperate appeals for offside fell on Brendan's deaf ears (he being linesman at the time).
Voices were raised in anger at half time in the home ranks as demon Dave, the new Arsene or was that Arse struggled to get his points across. Something along the lines of "don't pass to Bully or summat....". I were miles away trying as ever to adopt a posture of neutrality whilst cleaning sputum out of me whistle so I'm hearing this second hand like.
Second half we kicked down and raided frequently and often effectively, scoring another four and perhaps should have had more.
Gavin really started to motor and arguably was the main difference between the two sides, they had noone remotely as quick either defending or going forward. Tearing downfield and in from the left he was scythed down from behind as he approached the goal . Steve Bull made no mistake from the spot. A similar run saw him in on goal again before the last man buggered him, just outside the area this time. Steve's free kick , left to right, was a beauty with height and pace into the top corner.
Another Gavin sprint saw him kicked down from behind just feet short of the try line. Another penalty another Bully goal. Mr Bull has achieved a hattrick and this on a morning when Tony and himself put a whole net up by themselves! The professionals!
Moaning re refereeing?
I can only note that not once did I butcher Gavin down from behind. The opposition's intent was to stop him scoring by foul means. They did not care if he, during his descent to earth, was injured! People are amazing. I rest my case. Except to say at least two of the fouls on Gavin when he was in on goal would have led, according to our modern rules, to two men being sent off. Kindness and lenience were not acknowledged.
The fifth goal was a piece of slack defending on their part. A cross ball was ignored except by Gavin-pants-on fire who kept it in near the by line , squared it across goal for Chris Cox to sidefoot home unopposed.
Dave's use of the ball from his hands (he was keeper) was a tad on the slow side and was irking the oppo. We did learn that Dave can count to 10, some even said 11, and next week he starts on his letters. After a warning his distribution thereafter was exemplary. I don't like teasing opposition when you're on top, very poor form, just go for the next goal that's how you show class. Olay out, play up and at 'em in.
Some good moves today, particularly one leading to one of Gavin's slaloms. Jamie defended in his own area, flicking over an attacker's head, thrust forward, retrieved the ball and sent Gav on his merry way. Very pleasing.
Man of match , despite the emphatic dispatching of two penalties and a free kick by Steve, must have been Gavin I would have thought. What do yous think?
A good turn out out by both sides in the pub where the absentee list for next week grew at an alarming rate. It's me and Brendan with Dave in goal.
TIP of the week, "Don't tackle Vinny!"
Yer ould mate.
PIKEY

Knobs 4 Therfield 1

Got a bit mouthy second half- wondered where my headache came from. Still there's humanity for you- all shapes and sizes hurtling toward decrepitude and oblivion. But for the moment you are there. Knebworth Rec on a Sunday morning- centre of the universe, nothing else matters!
A poor first half saw Knobs get away with things in that the wide open route down the middle only led to a single goal being conceded. Four across the middle with the outer two not tucking in to crowd and help out in the centre and with Chris Cox following the lively young lad to both left and right led to numerous situations where Steve was alone to shore up the centre. Anyway they scored with one long ranger from such a situation and that was that. Knobs equalised with an opportunist, edge of the box punt looping over the keeper. Well done Chris Cox.
1-1 halftime, the second half would inevitably test their energy kicking uphill and so it proved.
Despite our attacks it felt uncomfortably close until Vinnie slotted home the fourth from a nice square ball from Jamie, with 10 minutes to go.
Immediately from the kick off at the start of the second half, Steve arrowed a ball forward to the sprinting Gavin
(great) and found him in acres of space in their penalty area. With goal of the season beckoning Gavin tried the outrageous lob and got it wrong somewhat (not so great), two touches and he was walking it in unchallenged. Still twas very enterprising.
Gavin was to cause them untold problems with his pace and he subsequently lashed in two goals for himself, the second and the third, the break where his shot found the net from the underside of the bar was very pleasing to the eye. Well to most other people's eyes, I couldn't see if it was in. No technology you see. It was obviously a goal, none of them disputed it!
At 3-1 they claimed hard done by when a penalty was refused them. Bloke does a drag back in a congested area and falls down complaining. At best he kicked into the innocent defender as he was weaving his magic (shite) and propels himself to the ground. At worst he got tired and fell over. (He was a livewire nevertheless and a decent "young" lad). After this the murmurrings on the right were rising hysterically, as John B and their man, the one with the humour of a coffin lid feuded verbally for the last half hour. There's history there.. zzzzzzzzz..... As long as it remains banter what's the problem? Another victory for the Knobs, where is this leading? Unbeaten for the rest of the season? Sandridge next week.
Hard to choose a mom- Vinnie excellent some dainty exquisite passes and some ennervating crunching tackles. Chris Griffiths read and played things well. Steve mixed the sublime with the ..... not so sublime. Gavin was a pest for them the whole game and Chris Cox had a very steady midfield game. Jamie hit one gorgeous left to right diagonal ball and everyone contributed. So take your pick.
After a hard afternoon's housework I was returning home after walking the dog around 7.30 and swaying down Watton Road came an inebriated Spurs fan returning from Knobs lunch time post match celebrations. "Hello John Boyle, neighbour and friend, whose Therfield friends call 'Big Nose' (true!!), what ails ye lad?" Och, Spurs got beat and apparently I must have missed that shit Nelly kicking Parker in the head. Well I missed a few things today!
Go thee well young John and may your headaches be small.
Toodle pip!

Knobs 4 Harpenden 2

A short blog- cos time's short perhaps some commenteers can fill in the missing bits.
A frosty pitch, bonehard and barely playable at the start softened up nicely as did Harpenden after their ascendancy for the first half hour. They didn't score six only one before we woke up and realised the ball was our friend and their goal could be attacked within the rules of the game.
I guess the start could be put down to us being far far less adaptable to a far from friendly, untrustworthy surface which Harpenden worked on with energy.
John Twigg, in goal, pulled off a full length diving save before they scored from an ill defended corner. We scored from our second attack after half an hour when the younger Ali entered the fray, replacing a bemused Brendan (the hogger of Bully's space) and made and scored himself a goal which showed skill and determination. They scored from a direct free kick after Monsiuer Boyle was adjudged to have fouled their guy out on the left. the bastard never waited for our wall! Cos he didn't have to.
Vinnie scored , hit the post and generally created a bit of mayhem before half time intervened.
Second half Harpenden rarely threatened except for one sitter of a header missed when they were 4-2 adrift. Some superb, calculated passing and a much higher energy output saw the Knobs dominate the second half. The John Boyle goal saw us play the ball out silkily and swiftly from from our left back position diagonally to the right where John ran onto it before smashing it home from an oblique angle. He loves those angles and rarely misses, shades of 5 a side. Vinnie got his second from close range with an assist from a foraging Gerry, as he did his first if my degenerating memory bank serves me well.
Brendan came back on to occupy a bit more space, then hobbled off with an ankle knock and jet lag. Can we have a nano Brendan who doesn't take up any space?
Everyone contributed especially in the last hour. New Ali was excellent in the40 minutes he played, Gerry was mom for industry, endeavour and guts over the piece but there was some very nice football so pleasing on the eye.
Next week the village of Therfield bring the pride of their loins to compete with us at Fortress Knebworth make sure you are there.

Knobs 9 (or 8) Litlington 1

Happy New Year.
Three weeks off and a desire to play leads to a comprehensive victory. Should I have less fixtures if this is the response to a long break? It makes me wonder- please tell us the committee before next seaeson's fixtures are arranged. Lots of vets sides don't have as many fixtures as I squeeze in to the calender!
After a slow start- five or so minutes, we got on top and slaughtered the oppo. Mind you it was a matter of time before we hit somebody.
I really can't remember the goals as they went in, but I enjoyed several of them. I know some sumptious passes by the man they call Bull led to some lovely finishes. The first saw Andy hasten toward goal before smashing home unstoppably. The second saw Vinny put through and he steadied before picking his spot. The third Andy's cross shot saw the goalie parry but Vinnie was there to tap home. They scored one on the break with Paul Berry (ex Knobs) scoring before my favourite goal of the game, saw Bill (aged 55 ) coursing foreward and receiving a Bully pass, steady himself and chipping the keeper. Half time 4-1.
Chris Wilson was having a blinder and all others were competence personified, Before scoring, new keeper Dave had saved with an immaculate punch from a dangerous cross. Well doneall!
Second half we just controlled things and got better- I think. New man Jamie showed his paces and Gerry contributed well. Goals came regularly apparently Vinnie notched four and so so did a rejuvenated Andy. I can't remember them, except for a Jamie cross coming back off the bar and Andy slotting home. One Andy scored which I thought fine but was abused by the oppo for offside after their bloke cannoned it back into his path- I may be wrong with the rules nowadays but we were 7-1 up at the time and the abuse from one or two of them was both out of order and unnecessary.
Wankers !
Next week it's Harpenden, how many heroes will play?
Pub saw a big turn out though the delay in the food by the Station was crap. Can we urge them to be a bit more on the ball next week and the following four weeks please?

Man of the match for me Chris Wilson. Steve Bull excellent first half and Andy and Vinny score 4 each. Tony back to his best. tackle of the game John Boyle ,why was their bloke whingeing?