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?"