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