Close first half on a heavy pitch. Thought we'd weathered their best , creative play after the first 20 minutes and we turned round half time only a goal down from an unchallenged header from a corner in the 45th minute. Unfortunately we faded in the second half kicking downhill and they kept going.
We equalised straight after the break from an excellent move commencing in our 6 yard box leading to a fierce shot by Richard being parried by their keeper only for Bren to race in and smash home. A period ensued where we were punished three times by breaks following our giving the ball away (and I mean giving it away) and they were out of sight. Another goal, from the narrowest of angles ensued due to total lack of physical presence of some defenders. They certainly would not have made it so easy. Dave left goal to become man of the match in a cameo display at full back. We played some of the best football of the game in this last phase, failing to hit the target with final shots and having one well saved. Bren (him not t'other) poached another from inside the six yard box. The older Brendan had by this time replaced Dave in goal and had conceded before even getting the gloves on. Appalling back pass, no chance the keeper. Martin was nutted by his opponent who was asked to leave the pitch. He did and in fairness he came back and apologised before leaving Knebworth altogether. Still it was a game and a wholly advisable activity to act as a festive season antidote.
A merry gathering in the Station which was roomy and civilised for once. Everyone little fingers!
Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all
Be happy!
Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Sunday 22 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Knobs 0 Old Owens 2
A poorish performance yet we were hardly kicked out of sight . Indeed for an hour we trailed only to
a fortuitous early goal, a cross shot evading the sprawling dive of stand in keeper Gavin. We'd hit the bar in the first half and Martin crashed one against the bar before we were awaded a penalty.
Woody had dispossessed their keeper who yanked his legs from beneath him. Up stepped Steve, who never misses his favourite hotspot low to the keeper's ......... yet 'twas ordained he should thrash it miles over. Twas written in the runes, simply had to happen! They scored a very good goal on the break, finished with a well struck shot.
All so hopeful at the start when we eventually got underway with our 11 against their 9. Perhaps we sniffed a huge advantage since they said reinforcements were on the way. Yet they controlled all the early exchanges. We had started badly flicking and farting about, the ball a hot potato, rarely under anyone's control and passing to each other a distant memory. There was effort and application but we seemed unable to get started.
Some points:
Their keeper, for whom the league rule was established that a keeper can be 25, took a lifetime and a half to retrieve the ball and take his goal kicks. Time wasting? Well it's certainly pretty fucking boring. Can't understand why people make an effort to get out to play a game then do everything they can to reduce the time allocated for the enjoyment of said game. He was like an old 68 year old and I should know!
The goalie rule was introduced three years ago to facilitate Owens participation in the league. I was and am still opposed. We had no goalie more often than not these past years and outfield players fill in. Other teams do the same. We had a chance to have a 24 year old keeper yesterday but chose to play by the 'rules' and put one of our most potent players in goal.
It was noted that a couple of their makeshift side were a tad on the young side, a centre half whose early sallies into shaving extended only to his head and either a very young forward or one who had defied the ageing process since puberty! We have recourse to challenge- league rules but it's so demeaning and whiffs of sour grapes. Back to birth certificate swapping pre kick off.
Onwards and upwards 2014.
Woody left early to see Spurs. How did they get on?
None of the opposition showed at the pub and four of us did.
Merry Christmas, Checquers 7pm Thursday.
a fortuitous early goal, a cross shot evading the sprawling dive of stand in keeper Gavin. We'd hit the bar in the first half and Martin crashed one against the bar before we were awaded a penalty.
Woody had dispossessed their keeper who yanked his legs from beneath him. Up stepped Steve, who never misses his favourite hotspot low to the keeper's ......... yet 'twas ordained he should thrash it miles over. Twas written in the runes, simply had to happen! They scored a very good goal on the break, finished with a well struck shot.
All so hopeful at the start when we eventually got underway with our 11 against their 9. Perhaps we sniffed a huge advantage since they said reinforcements were on the way. Yet they controlled all the early exchanges. We had started badly flicking and farting about, the ball a hot potato, rarely under anyone's control and passing to each other a distant memory. There was effort and application but we seemed unable to get started.
Some points:
Their keeper, for whom the league rule was established that a keeper can be 25, took a lifetime and a half to retrieve the ball and take his goal kicks. Time wasting? Well it's certainly pretty fucking boring. Can't understand why people make an effort to get out to play a game then do everything they can to reduce the time allocated for the enjoyment of said game. He was like an old 68 year old and I should know!
The goalie rule was introduced three years ago to facilitate Owens participation in the league. I was and am still opposed. We had no goalie more often than not these past years and outfield players fill in. Other teams do the same. We had a chance to have a 24 year old keeper yesterday but chose to play by the 'rules' and put one of our most potent players in goal.
It was noted that a couple of their makeshift side were a tad on the young side, a centre half whose early sallies into shaving extended only to his head and either a very young forward or one who had defied the ageing process since puberty! We have recourse to challenge- league rules but it's so demeaning and whiffs of sour grapes. Back to birth certificate swapping pre kick off.
Onwards and upwards 2014.
Woody left early to see Spurs. How did they get on?
None of the opposition showed at the pub and four of us did.
Merry Christmas, Checquers 7pm Thursday.
Monday 9 December 2013
Saints 1 Knobs 5 - report by William Wordsworth
At this beautiful autumn time, here is a report in rhythm and rhyme.
At The Station we met (well half the team) where Ronald was missing but he had a scheme.
A piece of paper was handed on, 4-5-1 he wrote and then he was gone.
So off we headed for the early start, to St. Albans to play with great heart.
And we started well, with plenty of passing, that left their players, running and gasping.
But from a corner they scored a goal, where the ball rebounded ‘into the hole’.
Which was met by their player with an almighty thwack, that left poor Tony on his back.
He said that ultimately he couldn’t see but why then (we ask) is he our goalie?
A few minutes later, we understood why, when he saved with his feet – what a good guy!
After some struggles, we finally scored, when James carved through the defence like he was a sword.
Scored with a deflection, into the corner, he was as pleased as punch, like little Jack Horner.
Along came the second, with a run down the wing and a pull back saw Nick doing his thing.
Bursting into the box, with those little legs, he shot home under pressure off one of the pegs.
The third came along with some brilliant play, with Martin’s passing and Paul’s great off-lay
Gavin controlled the ball inside the box, and tucked it away like a cunning fox.
The final goal we saw in the first half, came from a Bully free-kick (he’s back on the staff)
And it was pretty much over when the whistle blew, a 4-1 lead was mighty and true.
In the second half, the pace settled down, the pitch sometimes resembled a ghost town.
But Paul kept on hustling and deserved a goal, with a fantastic run and some quality control.
It’s true to say they hardly had a chance as we gave them the runaround, a merry dance.
At the back we were solid, a state of bliss, with Chairman Al, Tony, James and Chris.
In the midfield we battled, really fully, with Nick, Martyn, Richard and the returning Bully.
Up front was Paul getting better and better, and Gavin breathed hard like he was wearing a sweater.
Chris Cox came on and passed it around and it was nice to see Brendan come up from the town.
So there you have it, another victory and we all went home for a nice cup of tea.
Three on the bounce, we’re going up the league but next week, we might see a little fatigue.
Old Owen’s at home, with plenty away but let’s see what happens next Sunday!
At The Station we met (well half the team) where Ronald was missing but he had a scheme.
A piece of paper was handed on, 4-5-1 he wrote and then he was gone.
So off we headed for the early start, to St. Albans to play with great heart.
And we started well, with plenty of passing, that left their players, running and gasping.
But from a corner they scored a goal, where the ball rebounded ‘into the hole’.
Which was met by their player with an almighty thwack, that left poor Tony on his back.
He said that ultimately he couldn’t see but why then (we ask) is he our goalie?
A few minutes later, we understood why, when he saved with his feet – what a good guy!
After some struggles, we finally scored, when James carved through the defence like he was a sword.
Scored with a deflection, into the corner, he was as pleased as punch, like little Jack Horner.
Along came the second, with a run down the wing and a pull back saw Nick doing his thing.
Bursting into the box, with those little legs, he shot home under pressure off one of the pegs.
The third came along with some brilliant play, with Martin’s passing and Paul’s great off-lay
Gavin controlled the ball inside the box, and tucked it away like a cunning fox.
The final goal we saw in the first half, came from a Bully free-kick (he’s back on the staff)
And it was pretty much over when the whistle blew, a 4-1 lead was mighty and true.
In the second half, the pace settled down, the pitch sometimes resembled a ghost town.
But Paul kept on hustling and deserved a goal, with a fantastic run and some quality control.
It’s true to say they hardly had a chance as we gave them the runaround, a merry dance.
At the back we were solid, a state of bliss, with Chairman Al, Tony, James and Chris.
In the midfield we battled, really fully, with Nick, Martyn, Richard and the returning Bully.
Up front was Paul getting better and better, and Gavin breathed hard like he was wearing a sweater.
Chris Cox came on and passed it around and it was nice to see Brendan come up from the town.
So there you have it, another victory and we all went home for a nice cup of tea.
Three on the bounce, we’re going up the league but next week, we might see a little fatigue.
Old Owen’s at home, with plenty away but let’s see what happens next Sunday!
Sunday 1 December 2013
Sand ridge 0 Knobs 1
Well well! A victory in time added on . Deserved? Possibly, no, no probably.
It was a very well fought game, in good spirits and purist football did not come easy on a bouncy, difficult pitch. But full marks to the team for a real battling performance. Tony, a tower of strength in goal, will be outstanding when he gets a bit more experience! Two world class saves in the second half, the second a backward flip with 90 degrees difficulty to turn a looping effort over left one simply lost in admiration. The back four gave them nowt with James a rock. Paul was heartily involved in nearly everything going forward and his overhead kick from the edge of the area was brilliantly tipped over by their keeper. But if one was so churlish as to award a man of the match award I would have no hesitation in giving it to the steadily improving Brendan, Walkden not Wren.
Of the many passes he made forwards I cannot recall a single one not reaching its intended target. And many of them were subtly dangerous turning us from defence to attack. Excellent. Of course I take full credit for sorting out the penalty taker before the game, in the absence of the much lamented Steve Bull. Brendan, Walkden not Wren, immediately volunteered so there was no hesitation when he strode forward to beat their keeper from the spot, late, late late. The keeper, said to have been an ex pro, got a hand to it but the power did the job. Joel had won the kick when being jockeyed by their centre half then had two legs swiped from beneath him from an impatient late arriving defender. No complaints from anyone. Tony K was 41 today and his birthday was celebrated with a banquet of sausages - we'll probably have a sausage at centre half next week.
Two good games coming up but I fear availability will not be good. Goalkeeper anybody?
It was a very well fought game, in good spirits and purist football did not come easy on a bouncy, difficult pitch. But full marks to the team for a real battling performance. Tony, a tower of strength in goal, will be outstanding when he gets a bit more experience! Two world class saves in the second half, the second a backward flip with 90 degrees difficulty to turn a looping effort over left one simply lost in admiration. The back four gave them nowt with James a rock. Paul was heartily involved in nearly everything going forward and his overhead kick from the edge of the area was brilliantly tipped over by their keeper. But if one was so churlish as to award a man of the match award I would have no hesitation in giving it to the steadily improving Brendan, Walkden not Wren.
Of the many passes he made forwards I cannot recall a single one not reaching its intended target. And many of them were subtly dangerous turning us from defence to attack. Excellent. Of course I take full credit for sorting out the penalty taker before the game, in the absence of the much lamented Steve Bull. Brendan, Walkden not Wren, immediately volunteered so there was no hesitation when he strode forward to beat their keeper from the spot, late, late late. The keeper, said to have been an ex pro, got a hand to it but the power did the job. Joel had won the kick when being jockeyed by their centre half then had two legs swiped from beneath him from an impatient late arriving defender. No complaints from anyone. Tony K was 41 today and his birthday was celebrated with a banquet of sausages - we'll probably have a sausage at centre half next week.
Two good games coming up but I fear availability will not be good. Goalkeeper anybody?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)