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