Knobs 2 Blunham 2

Joint managers Dastardly and Muttley are resisting calls to resign after failing to win a league match in November, a 4th player leaving the club and a week of torrid abuse on social media.  As Brendan Walkden followed Tory boy Gavin Simpson, left back Vinny and Chairman Mao out of the club, he said "those 2 just never understood me, played me out of position and when they asked me to help put the goals up it was the final straw - I shall be looking for new opportunities in the US with my mate Stevie  G".

At the post match press conference Dastardly Aldrich said, "it's just not fair that myself and Muttley get this abuse. Everyone knows that Director of Footballs John Boyle picks the team and makes the substitutions - our role is to send some emails, tell Ron Crennell, Twiggy and Brendan Wren they are not selected, find a last minute replacement for serial drop out Martyn Brown, open up the pavilion, retrieve Dave Millhouse shots from trees and gardens, check Greg has swept up properly and close the pavilion - we have nothing to do with the football side"

With Greg and Wayne predictably late, several players refusing to put goals up then not having the right equipment to secure the nets it was not surprising Knebworth made a poor start to this match. After a first minute run on goal from James, somehow given offside when running with ball, it was Blunham who looked strongest in the opening phases. Blunham were winning the second balls, and playing neat passing football and running past their men. Knebworth were puffing and James, Wayne and Tony C were called on for several last ditch saves and tackles. 

Banksy had a chance when James crossed low across the goal, but Blunham took the lead with a header past Tony. A reaction was needed, and just before half time Knebworth equalised with perhaps the scrappiest goal of all time from a corner - but well done to Paul for a goal on debut.

At half time, some harsh words were needed, unfortunately most of the team were gasping for air having been under the cosh for 45 minutes and were unable to speak. However, the second half was a different story. Knebworth were much improved and began to put Blunham under a bit more pressure, with Dave M seeing a bit more the ball and running past some ageing defenders. Unfortunately the best chance fell to the other Millhouse who shot at the keeper when one on one in space. Blunham were not out of it though, and continued to threaten, keeping James and Wayne busy.

Knebworth then took the lead, some comedy defending and goal keeping left Greg with an open goal to hook the ball into from the edge of the box.  Greg made no mistake, this time.

Could Knebworth hold on? Sadly not, after a maul collapsed and became a ruck in the 6 yard box, Les decided a drop ball was the answer - a 5 metre scrum would have been more appropriate. The ball came to the edge of the box, Knebworth were slow to react and a shot went in through a crowd of players. Disappointing.

There was still time for one unsavoury incident. With hard man Tony K lying on the floor in a lot of pain, and struggling to breathe, James took exception to the aggressor laughing at Tony and some Sunday league pushing followed. Realising he had failed to back his mate minutes earlier, Bully then also looked for revenge on the culprit and a comedy/embarrassing incident followed as several players pushed each other into the back of the under 12s net and got tangled up. At this point, Les did the sensible thing and called time on the farce at 2-2.

One Blunham player was not content with the final outcome, and continued argument with Tony as we left the pitch, ignoring the fact the there were kids around, thinking it appropriate to try and start a fight, promising to "park" Tony. According to google translate to "park" someone is known in the Knebworth local dialect as to "invite one to fight by the Queensbury rules at a later date to be agreed by both parties" Tony declined the offer and took the goals down instead.

Knebworth were disappointed to concede late and drop points, but Tony was the busiest of the keepers making several excellent saves.

50 shades a beige at the pub, where the Blunham star player was asked for ID by Pete.