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