Knobs 2 Welwyn Sports 4

Bit of a cock up with Joel and Jamie saying they were available with a post to Ian Lang, who they didn't know and then turning up on spec, turning 12 players to 14 and the difficulties that that causes in fitting everyone in and yet staying competitive.
Welwyn looked the part doing team exercises and jogging before the game. In fairness we do have to put the nets up but at least we don't just stand around smoking. We just stand around.
They got off to a brisk start smacking a belter of a goal from distance and pace which Tony Clare, making his first effort attempt at playing in goal never got a sniff of.
We looked dangerous from a corner and then should have equalised when a perfect, deep cross from Vinnie found Gavin three yards out at the far post, he failed to score. Possibly expected a clattering and took his eye off the ball. Having said that Gavin was a pain in their butt throughout the game, foraging with pace and always a cause for concern to their not too mobile defence. Another corner led to a scramble from which Gerry equalised from a close range melee. Very shortly afterwards we were awarded a penalty which was hotly disputed by their personnel. This was not unique, they disputed everything that didn't seem to go their way and continued to do so throughout.  The bloke handled it, could easily have got his arm out the way,  he didn't, so a penalty. Steve lashed in powerfully via the underside of the crossbar. 2-1 Shit hitting fan time. Knobs raised their game and were now fighting like tigers. Could and probably should have gone further ahead until half time intervened.
Problem with the subs needing to come on and yet noone deserved to go off in a highly competitive match. They used their subs tactically and didn't bring subs on till very late when they went 3-2 then 4-2 up.
Second half we were still competing hard and Tony was having an outstanding game in goal especially on high balls, punching and slapping out everything that came near him and was verbally calling and encouraging throughout. A save he made in the first half from a rocket heading top corner was world class. He flung himself high and left and one handedly extinguished the threat of their going into a 2 goal lead at that point.
Dave was on being Dave, he too was up for it! One memorable pass to the left wing should be what he concentrates on as he recuperates from the imminent surgeon's knife not his Thomas the Tank Engine approach.
They equalised with a soft penalty when the ball struck Roy's hand but the hand was held high. So I gave it. Silence prevailed, not one of them complained about that one and it was arguably more marginal than the one I gave earlier for Knobs. Why did noone come forward from the opposition and urge me to change my mind? Can't understand it. It must be something to do with the human condition!
They took a lead with helluva hard struck shot that swerved and contorted all over the place. Their 4th was very fortunate, a clearance ricochetting off their advancing player and squeezing inside the post.
That's how it stayed folks and at least it was a proper game.
Poor turnout at the pub and I was left with a pint surrounded by their whole team after our minimal contingent had fucked off. Thank God they'd won.