Knobs 1 Welwyn 5

Again lack of personnel affected a game we should have been more competitive in. Joel again failed to turn up. Why? I dunno. We played with the bare 11 and competed well until half time by which time we'd had some telling moves but were 1-0 down. The goal came early, a goalkick straight to their man who avoiding a challenge strode forward to score unopposed. Paul is a stand in keeper, he is a doughty opponent when playing out but between the sticks he is just a brave person who is prepared to sacrifice his Sunday morning to help us out by volunteering to play in goal.
The fact that he forgot totally today what his hands were for is no criticism. Who else was prepared to pull on that particular unheralded jersey. No fucker, except me, as I say no fucker! So in spite of a competitive performance by outfielders our goalkeeping would have made sense to some  of Jamie Carragher's observations (sub titles please). Mind you they missed a few as did we but their keeper was a keeper and ours wasn't.
First half showed the mettle of our lads, well done but in  the second we were always battling a losing fight.
Gavin did manage to be become cosily acquainted with the woodwork on two occasions, once striking a post with ferocity after an incisive move and the other doing ever so well to round the keeper before inexplicably striking the bar- gravity?
Excellent performances by the dogged Gerry and Brendan (no the other one) at fullbacks and an immense performance from Richard at centre half. Tony played steadily at the back always organising and I thought they did well. I don't think Brendan misplaced a pass throughout the game and Gerry mixed long punts on a heavy pitch with cunning step a sides before feeding Gavin who was particularly threatening in the first half and indeed throughout. The combatitive Nick in midfield was great but subsided somewhat in the second half but did get opposition mentions in the pub afterwards, 'always been a dirty bastard'! I didn't notice. Chris Cox, 58, played his guts out after a long absence and Steve, in possibly his last game strove. He notched his usual penalty after the surging Richard was toppled in the area. I've always rated Steve, a bit of class and a bit different but always available to play and always organised. I shall miss him should he venture forth to pastures new and/or different. Up front new boy Paul strove in for him an unusual position wide left and was on the whole bereft of any switch play especially first half. Vinnie, God bless him bludgeoned around in his own area often defending sturdily on their corners but was so  often on his own going forward - not a lot of service. Gavin threatened throughout , as he should, so don't call him an enigma, he knows what it means.
So I say well done, the result was a bit exaggerated but there you are.
SEVENNNN!
Paul, the valiant keeper was sporting a lovely shiner in the pub courtesy of punching himself in the eye. Honest! Others attending in the pub were Tony, Steve, bought
me a
pint on my 68th birthday, Brendan Wren who bought me a pint and Gerry who offered me a pint. Also there in a tiny group of us enjoying white sausages and 'pizza' were Bolton Brendan and shiner Paul. They, Welwyn, were all there, gloating bastards.
Still Newcastle beat Spurs, the Makkems won and unfortunately so did Man Utd. All 1-0's, a visual feast.
Next week an away league game in Enfield which I very much doubt will take place. We are in a very crap place, it's now all up to the so called membership to think about priorities and wonder what we are going to do in the future. Me? I'm an old man, what I think is irrelevant. Anyway I opened the doors, sorted the keys, went home to find pegs in the garage, stood and watched, cleared up the dressing rooms with Paul, locked up and had to take the kit home to wash, 2 weeks out of 3 and I didn't even play! (It's washed and liberally sprayed with itching powder for the next game, should get a reaction).
Once Knobs had a committee, regular season meetings. Now it's all just a joke! Things don't just run on a wing, prayer and a joke! Where do we go- play on or fold you tell me!
Love to you all.
Howay the lads!