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