Faraway Sir Ronald

It's been on and off for years but finally the time has come for Sir Ronald to be put out to pasture in Pembrokeshire and become Faraway Sir Ronald. Plenty of gardening to be done and the drink is already a distant memory. The KNOBS, who are they?

Goodbye Sir Ronald

Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack

Monday 21 January 2013

Blunham v Knobs OFF

A little bit of snow let us down.

Sunday 13 January 2013

Knobs 3 Harpenden 1

The snow didn't arrive but the Knobs did. A very competitive performance downhill in the first half saw us only 1-0 up but there were no weakneses and they didn'y have a sniff. Unfortunately we did, probably Dave's diet, farter uber alles, puff puff out the mouth matched by phlumff phlumff out the bottom. That's Dave you love him if your olfactory strengths are switched off. ("The fucker stinks the field out" who said that? ).
Hey it was cold. I stood there fully prepared to come on at any wisp of non application but there was none. We passed well and were on top and deservedly went one up when a Bully corner pathetically miscued trickled into the box and evaded everyone except the much derided Brendan who, marauding into the box, forced the ball emphatically home from some part of his knee, ( enjoy your skiing this week Brendan with so many other Knobs. Cunts!
Gavin was playing havoc with his pace but could we get it right for him. Yes we could second half.
1-0 up we were awarded a penalty when one of Gavin's bursts into the area led to a scything. Would I instead of John Twigg given it , I'm certain I would. For the second week running Steve, Mr Reliable, approached and saw his firmly struck shot pushed wide! Either keepers are getting quicker or Steve has not regained his conditining after his long lay off. The gossips are out, after all Gav, number one goalscorer, has a 100% record from the spot!  Fortunately for Steve, Gavin doesn't attend the post match discussions at the Lytton, where sanity prevails. Shitty pub, poor choice, bring back the even shittier Station at least it's our shitty Station. Anyway, Steve remains penalty taker!!!!!!
Second half they came on stronger but players might not have noticed but when teams exhiliratingly pour downhill attacking, they rarely fancy tracking back when their moves break down. So this proved to our advanatage as several times we broke only to find our final efforts not quite up to scratch. It was only a matter of time and so it proved. Fuck me I've had to stop, I know we went two up. Is it the the bottle of Chardonnay I've imbibed during this afternoon's Aresnal game or is it dementia? Anyway Gavin scored- it's coming back.......slowly. John, John, John,,,, help....
They poured forward and got got one back from a neat header at the the far post. I'd been tellinng Brendan to tuck in throughout, but perhaps this was a tuck too far.
Our third came from a rasping Gavin shot, via a deflection, I think, and they were never coming back.
I remained on the line throughout because it was like a true match though we were undoubtedly superior and deserved the win. I would have come on if an an injury ensued but tactically there was no need for a sub. Not many people appreciate the need for someone to stand on the line and not get a sniff of action on a Sunday morning's Vets game. But that is proper football. At least the football I was brought up in when accursed subs were introduced sometime in the Sixties.
( I suppose I had nowt better to do, some might say- fuck off, if you want to win each game sometimes individuals have to come along and sometimes simply wait for the good of the team).
John Boyle had a cracker at right back- clearing off the line at one attack at 2-1., Trevor was so competent, lovely fist first half, Brendan's passing was excellent and he was never stretched, he scored and cleared off the line. Roy was magnificient! Tony was immense. Chris worked like a dog, sniff sniff, woof woof. Ian was so hard I loved it, love a bit of hardness. Richard was back and effervescent, Steve, though out of position, too far forward, contributed throughout and was full of vocal encouragement. Dave , headerer from afar, scrapped and fought and always worked hard to get back behind the ball and Gavin was a simply a scourge of Vets teams throughout Hertfordshire or anywhere. The oldies just can't handle pace. Come on Gav, next week Sandy, man of the season is within your reach.
A fair turn out in the Lytton- only chips today- / Gavin wasn't there... cunt.. lost my vote. Next weeek Sandy away oh come all you faithful!!!! Especially you Gavin my finger is twitching!

Sunday 6 January 2013

Knobs 6 Therfield 3

Could have been a difficult game but with Paul coming through in goal in place of a croaky Dave and two contributing guest players Des and Mark we came through well. Not to forget a cameo role from the returning Roy, for it was he, wonderfully blocking John Boyle's nemesis and effectively shutting his trap for the first time in living memory.
I figured we were on for 15 at the start but a lacklustre beginning swiftly saw us 2-0 down and a measure of overstriving entered the proceedings which meant we were not home and dry till the hour mark. Thereafter it could have been a hatful but turned out only six.
Their effective midfielder thumped in an early half chance followed by a  Chris deflection which gave us a jolt. 2-0 behind, ten minutes gone.
Ali, good Dave, Bully and Joel exhibited our riches in midfield but none of them were bringing the very best out of Mark. Gerry, very industrious throughout, found Dave who shimmied into the area before carefully netting from a narrow angle. A controversial penalty saw Bully placing hard toward the corner only for their excellent keeper to tip round the corner. Still 2-1 but only a matter of time methinks. Mark carried a ball inside and let fly from 25 and a slight deflection saw the ball loop high into the net. Energy and fitness would settle the game second half. Dave had left with a hamstring pull and Alistair replaced Chris Wilson who went into centre mid to effectively compete against and eventually shackle their best player. A sweet left to right move saw them take the lead, a very well worked goal but we levelled after a deflected shot from Mark was spilled by the keeper and was snaffled by Gerry. Ali then scored a peach from distance, guided through bodies with the outside of his foot into the bottom corner. How many more do you want? Two it seemed. A very sweet cross shot from Joel high over the keeper as he cut in from the left, 5-3. Someone help me out with the other one!
Brendan had a very competent game which he marked with an innovative new style pass, the spoon pass. He tried it 5 times and it came off 4- don't persist Brendan! Watching Roy's 15 minutes stroll out gave me shivers as memories of his play in 5 a sides came flooding back to haunt me. Was it Des who advanced to score  the 6th? No it wasn't, he had gallpoed forward in a lovely move earlier , like Arkle, before hitting too high. des not Arkle. No it was Chris Wilson who rifled home the sixth after an excellent move.
Two games against Therfield one we concede 9 and score 3 or 4 and today. Difference a fixture of two keepers really. Ours then and theirs today.
Good turn out at the chicken abbatoir. I left early for a mushroom risotto lunch in Welwyn.
Toodle pip and Happy New Year.
PS
Maggie in hysterics all day. If anyone sees me reffing and chewing me gob while slouching round with hands behind back, kick me up the arse.
She's still laughing. I'm really upset.
Ronald