Final game of season and an emphatic win against a tiring Blunham. Moribund or will they come again?
Les, qualified referee from MBDA, kindly took the whistle for this historically contentious fixture. The game once again proved the last thing that goes in a footballer's artillery is his mouth, unfortunately rarely attached to those parts of the brain governing rationality and pleasantness. Still noone died and everyone enjoyed a pint afterwards as should happen.
Bare 11 plus Ron for his final game turned out for Knobs on a warm morning. A competitive first half when Blunham were at their best and their fittest. Knobs took the lead when a Bully corner was fluffed by the keeper, the ball dropping from his 'grip' onto the goalline where it was smashed in by Joel.
They equalised from a cross from the left, too easily done, no challenge, to the far post where despite Twiggy's little ankle tap their Joe Paloney gathered well and finished with aplomb. After that my memory let's me down in scoring sequence and player involvement in all the goals.Did we take a half time lead through Vinnie. Well me must have taken a lead else we wouldn't have won 7-1 or even won at all! There was an altercation between Trevor and their muscular forward over the failure of Blunham to stop the game when Tony took one and was hopping round like a demented penguin. Play on had been the correct decision there was little dangerously the matter with him. Another bone of contention was an offside with their man haring after a ball from an offside position with them claiming another play out of the picture wasn't offside. No brainer. Linesman and referee completely correct offside, free kick.
Second half kicking uphill saw the floodgates open. Goals, misses and saves galore. Joel completed a hattrick, a true vet now. Vinnie got 2, a tasty performance and Alistair's best cross of the season- it managed to stay in play, fell into the net at the far post. Always a chance of something happening with the ball in play.
Bully must have made at least 4 as well as striking the bar with a free kick. He kicked off the line and followed it up by clearing his lines. He is fitter, which he knows, and as I pointed out to a few, covers an awful lot of pitch during contests, albeit with a somewhat leisurely gait. Well done. Indeed well done to everyone including the returning, reliable Chris Griffiths. We played 1-4-5-1 and looked very compact. Ron had a 10 minute cameo where his pass rate was 100%, nothing unusual there, choke, splutter.... including an assist to the assister of the sixth goal. John Boyle had a flying second half, wide, right midfield, such versatility.
Goodbye. We will be in the Vets Premier League next season, should you vote to stay in the league at out forthcoming AGM, the Station on June 23rd.
Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Monday 20 May 2013
Thursday 16 May 2013
Sandridge Rovers 2 Knobs 0, Knobs 4 Sandridge Rovers 1
A beautiful sunny evening saw us play a bit rubbish in this game. It was disappointing. They played better football, had a couple of good players (especially there centre forward) and we didn’t cope very well. They scored one from a corner and one from a ball over the top but I can’t remember which game had what. I do know that this was the game that saw the dubious penalty awarded by our ‘Sportsman of the Year’ Twiggy, from the sidelines, after consultation with Ron the Referee. The fact that the ball had already gone out for a goal kick didn’t seem to matter…or that’s what all our defence said. It didn’t really matter though as we created few chances despite a putting a strong team out and we didn’t deserve to win.
For the second game there were wholesale changes with Chris Griffiths making a welcome return at the back. We finally scored a goal, thanks to Richard poaching in the box but they pegged us back to make it 1-1. In the second half we changed the formation to 4-5-1 with Vinny coming on and it seemed to make a big difference. Suddenly the game was stretched across the park, there was more space and we looked an attacking force again. Vinny netted two, his first one a peach of a goal, well hit past the keeper and his second, a tap-in after a cross from Gavin. In the latter stages, with more options, Bully and Nick were putting some lovely through balls in and we were unlucky not to score more, especially Phil who hit the cross bar after Vinny unselfishly passed it to him despite being on a hat-trick. Gavin scored the last goal after beating the offside trap and that was that.
Well done to all those involved, especially to those who were subbed on or off and didn’t complain. There were some good performances, especially in the second game and it is important to think about formations and what might work as we’re playing games. With Vinny playing, the 4-5-1 formation seems a good one, especially as it gives us extra re-enforcements in the middle of the park, whilst giving us attacking options out wide. Something to ponder for next season perhaps but as is always the case, you’ve got to play horses for courses.
It was fun down the pub. John B said so as he collected the loot. Lots of good humour and Darren A seemed to suggest that there was some sort of succession talk between Gerry and Chairman Al but I couldn’t possibly comment. Next up is Blunham on Sunday. Good luck and no fighting!
For the second game there were wholesale changes with Chris Griffiths making a welcome return at the back. We finally scored a goal, thanks to Richard poaching in the box but they pegged us back to make it 1-1. In the second half we changed the formation to 4-5-1 with Vinny coming on and it seemed to make a big difference. Suddenly the game was stretched across the park, there was more space and we looked an attacking force again. Vinny netted two, his first one a peach of a goal, well hit past the keeper and his second, a tap-in after a cross from Gavin. In the latter stages, with more options, Bully and Nick were putting some lovely through balls in and we were unlucky not to score more, especially Phil who hit the cross bar after Vinny unselfishly passed it to him despite being on a hat-trick. Gavin scored the last goal after beating the offside trap and that was that.
Well done to all those involved, especially to those who were subbed on or off and didn’t complain. There were some good performances, especially in the second game and it is important to think about formations and what might work as we’re playing games. With Vinny playing, the 4-5-1 formation seems a good one, especially as it gives us extra re-enforcements in the middle of the park, whilst giving us attacking options out wide. Something to ponder for next season perhaps but as is always the case, you’ve got to play horses for courses.
It was fun down the pub. John B said so as he collected the loot. Lots of good humour and Darren A seemed to suggest that there was some sort of succession talk between Gerry and Chairman Al but I couldn’t possibly comment. Next up is Blunham on Sunday. Good luck and no fighting!
Monday 13 May 2013
Knobs 1 Goldcheats 2.
Goldkhaki deserved their win. Not so the shite that emerges from their hideous gobs.
Full back -it wasn't a penalty.
Referee- You pushed him, penalty.
FB- I fuckin didnt, yi cheatin cunt.
Referee- oh in that case it's a goalkick to you old chap.
New rules, referee spins the coin, announces heads or tails, a bit of ritual if you like, blows the whistle from time to time for a bit of reality if you like but as soon as one of the players, be it the boot, the iron or the ship disagrees the referee sends himself to jail and collects fuck all if he passes Go. (I told you I was ill).
Our attacks were sporadic and powder puff the few chances we made we missed. Their goalkeeper was more than capable. And he was a true vet. In age, in manners (one of three to proffer a handshake at the end) and he was one of three of them to show at the Station for a drink.
Their centre forward proved muscular as ever, well he's at his prime now he's reached 31. In 4 years he'll come of age and gently wither into decrepitude. Hope his big mouth goes the same way. Playing with old guys like us who have served their time in proper football- he's pathetic. Mind you playing with Vets for so long has physically aged him and he seems to be somewhat tonsorially challenged. Must be catching.
This grapes splurging is not because we lost, perusal of the records show we inevitably beat this lot year in year out. But I've been playing against this lad since he was 21, hmmm I was 57 then.... fair match don't you know. Yes quite pathetic. Mind you things can swing both ways!
They could and should have scored a couple first half but din't and the half ended 0-0. The right winger was a bit of a speed merchant and was giving Twiggy's lungs and legs a working over without causing any real damage. How would Brendan fare taking over from JT second half. Well first Brendan was caught foraging in the centre forward spot..... our centre forward spot. That's one way to deal with a speedy winger, play somewhere else. Then to prove defensive duties were not beyond him he lay deep enough to play their bloke onside, a bloke on t'other side of pitch a mile offside otherwise. From this position he went on to score unopposed as our defence pleaded vainly for offside. Linesman John T , referee Ron C. No cheating there then. Brendan is rusty and is in post operative mood. I believe has to play in the middle where he can react and challenge. Tony you are now fullback when Brendan plays. Full back is not the old people's rest home a lot of folk seem to think it is. A certain amount of pre-dementia thinking is required in the position.
Elsewhere our passing was crap and rarely did anything like a fluid move appear imminent.
That is not to denigrate the effort. Almost everone got stuck in with some meaty challenges.
Anyway we equalised through the penalty. I suppose with the crowd baying for blood it was important that subsequent Knobs challenges didn't give the referee an excuse to 'redress' some perceived imbalance in proceedings. That was not to be, a kamikazi challenge by their forward was dealt with vigorously by Chris and a penalty was awarded to them from which they just managed to score. Was it a penalty? Probably not, but the pressure was on and the referee subconsciously took the easy way out.
My head was throbbing and my detestation of Homo sapiens knew little or no bounds. Apart from derisory and/or sarcastic remarks about added on time (4 minutes actually- pretty fair if not really enough) the game fizzled out unceremoniously. Knickers to the lorra yi.
The pub, the Station, was a mirth filled place, the Englishman's true place, not his castle. The 12th century writer Geoffrey de Vinsauf referred to "that drinker England" and that in the midst of Third Crusade battles "they kept up the Old English custom and opened their mouths wide with proper devotion to drain their goblets to the dregs." Not much has changed and he must have known the Station well- dregs begorra! Vinsauf- roughly translated that would be 'thirsty for wine'! What a people!
By the way did you know that the word 'ale' meant a party? brideale was a wedding party, scotale a debt paying party etc.. when by the way is the next Knobsale?
More on the quaint customs of ye English bastards next week.
Midweek game Wednesday then the end v Blunham at home on Sunday. So "wesheil kindly sirs and "dricheil" to me.
Full back -it wasn't a penalty.
Referee- You pushed him, penalty.
FB- I fuckin didnt, yi cheatin cunt.
Referee- oh in that case it's a goalkick to you old chap.
New rules, referee spins the coin, announces heads or tails, a bit of ritual if you like, blows the whistle from time to time for a bit of reality if you like but as soon as one of the players, be it the boot, the iron or the ship disagrees the referee sends himself to jail and collects fuck all if he passes Go. (I told you I was ill).
Our attacks were sporadic and powder puff the few chances we made we missed. Their goalkeeper was more than capable. And he was a true vet. In age, in manners (one of three to proffer a handshake at the end) and he was one of three of them to show at the Station for a drink.
Their centre forward proved muscular as ever, well he's at his prime now he's reached 31. In 4 years he'll come of age and gently wither into decrepitude. Hope his big mouth goes the same way. Playing with old guys like us who have served their time in proper football- he's pathetic. Mind you playing with Vets for so long has physically aged him and he seems to be somewhat tonsorially challenged. Must be catching.
This grapes splurging is not because we lost, perusal of the records show we inevitably beat this lot year in year out. But I've been playing against this lad since he was 21, hmmm I was 57 then.... fair match don't you know. Yes quite pathetic. Mind you things can swing both ways!
They could and should have scored a couple first half but din't and the half ended 0-0. The right winger was a bit of a speed merchant and was giving Twiggy's lungs and legs a working over without causing any real damage. How would Brendan fare taking over from JT second half. Well first Brendan was caught foraging in the centre forward spot..... our centre forward spot. That's one way to deal with a speedy winger, play somewhere else. Then to prove defensive duties were not beyond him he lay deep enough to play their bloke onside, a bloke on t'other side of pitch a mile offside otherwise. From this position he went on to score unopposed as our defence pleaded vainly for offside. Linesman John T , referee Ron C. No cheating there then. Brendan is rusty and is in post operative mood. I believe has to play in the middle where he can react and challenge. Tony you are now fullback when Brendan plays. Full back is not the old people's rest home a lot of folk seem to think it is. A certain amount of pre-dementia thinking is required in the position.
Elsewhere our passing was crap and rarely did anything like a fluid move appear imminent.
That is not to denigrate the effort. Almost everone got stuck in with some meaty challenges.
Anyway we equalised through the penalty. I suppose with the crowd baying for blood it was important that subsequent Knobs challenges didn't give the referee an excuse to 'redress' some perceived imbalance in proceedings. That was not to be, a kamikazi challenge by their forward was dealt with vigorously by Chris and a penalty was awarded to them from which they just managed to score. Was it a penalty? Probably not, but the pressure was on and the referee subconsciously took the easy way out.
My head was throbbing and my detestation of Homo sapiens knew little or no bounds. Apart from derisory and/or sarcastic remarks about added on time (4 minutes actually- pretty fair if not really enough) the game fizzled out unceremoniously. Knickers to the lorra yi.
The pub, the Station, was a mirth filled place, the Englishman's true place, not his castle. The 12th century writer Geoffrey de Vinsauf referred to "that drinker England" and that in the midst of Third Crusade battles "they kept up the Old English custom and opened their mouths wide with proper devotion to drain their goblets to the dregs." Not much has changed and he must have known the Station well- dregs begorra! Vinsauf- roughly translated that would be 'thirsty for wine'! What a people!
By the way did you know that the word 'ale' meant a party? brideale was a wedding party, scotale a debt paying party etc.. when by the way is the next Knobsale?
More on the quaint customs of ye English bastards next week.
Midweek game Wednesday then the end v Blunham at home on Sunday. So "wesheil kindly sirs and "dricheil" to me.
Sunday 5 May 2013
Knobs 1 Buntingford Town Vets 0
It was nearly 180 minutes without a goal between the two sides but a late penalty clinched a hard fought victory for the Knebworth Old Boys.
In beautiful sunshine, with a bare 11, the KNOBS started slowly and gave Buntingford the early initiative but they failed to capitalise thanks to some good defending. In fact despite the hot weather, the energy shown by the KNOBS team was impressive and this started from the front through the tireless running of Richard, who was well supported by Gerry on the right hand side. There were few chances…in fact, so few I can’t remember any in the first half. Oh…I forgot, Phil hit a beautiful shot that was easily gathered by their keeper but he did strike it well.
In the second half, both teams battled valiantly and it was dominated by both defences. Ian was particularly impressive clearing his lines and being strong and powerful in the air but the whole back four showed good defensive skills, with Darren B contributing well at left back, Tony showing his ball skills in the middle and John B doing both his defensive work, as well as helping Gerry where he could. Although they were dominating territorially, they created few chances, with the returning Trevor having few saves to make, although he did do a marvellous fisting job to clear a corner when we were under pressure.
Chris Wilson had our closest chance before the goal after being played through by Bully but he clipped the bar with a long range strike. The goal finally came with ten minutes to go when Richard was scythed down in the box. Even though their central defender didn’t agree with the decision, there was little complaint from their side which suggests it was a close call but probably the right decision. Bully tucked the penalty away with aplomb in the bottom left hand corner.
Vinny came on for a late cameo and although they huffed and puffed, looking for a goal, we actually looked livelier on the break but the game rather fizzled out in the end. A couple of moments to mention were Gerry’s marvellous heading technique that saw him collapse like Tommy Cooper at the Palladium and John B rampaging forward with a minute to go and being berated by Ian. We all had fun though, didn’t we?
We certainly did in the pub. Oh it’s good to be back at our spiritual home and there was much merriment. There was even a coup…sort of. Darren A is to blame. He’s a troublemaker that one. Thanks must go to our opponents today who were very supporting and it was good to seem all at the pub after the game.
Four games unbeaten, three wins on the bounce, two clean sheets amongst them…as they say on Masterchef - ‘Football doesn’t get better than this!’
In beautiful sunshine, with a bare 11, the KNOBS started slowly and gave Buntingford the early initiative but they failed to capitalise thanks to some good defending. In fact despite the hot weather, the energy shown by the KNOBS team was impressive and this started from the front through the tireless running of Richard, who was well supported by Gerry on the right hand side. There were few chances…in fact, so few I can’t remember any in the first half. Oh…I forgot, Phil hit a beautiful shot that was easily gathered by their keeper but he did strike it well.
In the second half, both teams battled valiantly and it was dominated by both defences. Ian was particularly impressive clearing his lines and being strong and powerful in the air but the whole back four showed good defensive skills, with Darren B contributing well at left back, Tony showing his ball skills in the middle and John B doing both his defensive work, as well as helping Gerry where he could. Although they were dominating territorially, they created few chances, with the returning Trevor having few saves to make, although he did do a marvellous fisting job to clear a corner when we were under pressure.
Chris Wilson had our closest chance before the goal after being played through by Bully but he clipped the bar with a long range strike. The goal finally came with ten minutes to go when Richard was scythed down in the box. Even though their central defender didn’t agree with the decision, there was little complaint from their side which suggests it was a close call but probably the right decision. Bully tucked the penalty away with aplomb in the bottom left hand corner.
Vinny came on for a late cameo and although they huffed and puffed, looking for a goal, we actually looked livelier on the break but the game rather fizzled out in the end. A couple of moments to mention were Gerry’s marvellous heading technique that saw him collapse like Tommy Cooper at the Palladium and John B rampaging forward with a minute to go and being berated by Ian. We all had fun though, didn’t we?
We certainly did in the pub. Oh it’s good to be back at our spiritual home and there was much merriment. There was even a coup…sort of. Darren A is to blame. He’s a troublemaker that one. Thanks must go to our opponents today who were very supporting and it was good to seem all at the pub after the game.
Four games unbeaten, three wins on the bounce, two clean sheets amongst them…as they say on Masterchef - ‘Football doesn’t get better than this!’
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