Hadley Green 2 Knobs 2

The Vets finish the year top of the league but disappointed with a poor second half performance away at Hadley.

This was a shambles of a match on a child sized pitch, that saw 3 referees used in the first half. Knebworth will make representations to league chairman John "Scudamore" Boyle. Rob Stanley failed to board the team coach so Knebworth had one sub. Hadley had no subs, and no referee. They were not keen to play with 10, so Knebworth donated super sub Banksy to referee. After 7 minutes James tore his calf muscle and hobbled off. Banksy went up front, Jono centre half (!) and Hadley went down to 10 men, providing a referee from their midfield.

Knebworth started well, playing the ball around with confidence and working together as a team. Which was the opposite of what happened in the second half. Super sub Banks then worked his magic with 2 well taken goals from Dave Millhouse crosses.

More generosity from Knebworth followed as Gavin used his Owens connections to persuade someone else to ref, and Hadley were back to 11 men. Hadley, understandably came back at Knebworth, but at half time it was 2-0.

The second half was a horror show from Knebworth. Gavin was brave in goal and made a few good punched saves. The part time keeper confessed that overnight, he had reviewed his keeping technique watching DVDs of previous matches with coach Tony Clare. This review led to the conclusion that Gavin cannot catch, and therefore the strategy of punching everything was employed. Tony had apparently recommended flapping was a better technique, but headstrong Gavin chose to punch instead.

Hadley got stronger and stronger in the second half as Knebworth fell deeper and deeper and the midfield and forwards separated. By the end Knebworth holding on at 2-2. Very poor performance, we got too casual against a team we had beaten comfortably a few weeks earlier. The micky mouse pitch and a late starting match with 3 referees are additional excuses.

After the game there were plenty of suggestions for managers Dastardly and Muttley to improve morale and form. Jono, who arrived 10 minutes before kick off, wants increased focus on tactics and strategy, plus Wayne banned from the club. Gavin wants a post match, in the bar, vote for man of the match. Gavin has stayed for a drink once in 5 years, but explained the managers could set up a text and online voting system like Strictly Come Dancing, so he can vote from home. Dave Jordan wants to calculate average and total age of the match day squad to compare against the opposition. it was pointed out to dave that the opposition numbers will be difficult to source. Asked to comment on these well meaning and innovative suggestions Dastardly Aldrich said "you were all rubbish, I'm flying to the states in the New Year to team up with Stevie Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Brendan Walkden."

It will be left to Muttley Hobbs to pick up the pieces on the 3rd of January. Hobbs said after the match "Don't panic everyone, we won't see Jono at centre half when Aldrich is away, in fact you won't see him again until he gives my son player of the week in the Under 6s".