Knobs 0 Harpenden 0

Never has a match been so forgettable. In fact this match was so forgettable that it will long in the memory. The cold nil nil, that Bully missed will be talked about for years to come. The match was so poor, and chances so few, that several players asked specifically not be named in club records as participants in the match.  The second ever 0-0 draw in 1,056 Knebworth Vets fixtures had actually promised to be a high scoring affair. With Tony “sorry” Clare away, 3 changes to the back four, and 5 forwards in the starting line-up, a high scoring match seemed inevitable. In goal, Gavin specifically asked that there were no shots allowed towards him as he had not been able to put his wedding ring since hurting his finger in his last goal keeping appearance. In mitigation, the pitch had dried out after recent rain and was exceptionally bobbly.   Dave Jordan spent 6 days getting no referee arranged, and one day getting 2 referees arranged – so we welcomed a new referee Dale, who had an excellent game, and this is not just written because he did not give a single foul against James.

Knebworth dominated the first half, but did not threaten the goal and managed only a single corner. Gerry took it, and with his furthest ever kick reached the 6 yard box where it was cleared. Paul was competitive in the middle, whilst Darren kept checking his watch aware he had to catch a train to the Spurs match. Jono round around a bit, and looked dangerous until he got anywhere near the goal. Dave Jordan was somewhere on the left. Barney and Dave M were lively in a non-threatening kind of way. Dave M managed to put one into the gardens in frustration after the whistle had done – it was that type of match. At the back, Greg, Tony, James and Tony K kept the lonely Harpenden forward quiet, and struggled to find a flat piece of grass to clear. The highlight of the first half was Gavin in goal saying to his defenders “I’m playing a high line” then going past them on a couple of occasions with some Bruce Grobelaar style runs. Manager Hobbs reminded Gavin that if he wanted to play in midfield instead of goal he should say so and not be wearing the gloves.

The second half was much like the first half, except downhill with the wind, Harpenden dominated and won more corners.  Gavin was now “playing a deep line” and refused to come off his line. Upfront Stephen “hold it-argghh, sorry” Banks joined the fray.  Harpenden had  a couple of chances but not require Gavin to make any saves. Paul and James headed some corners away. Barney made some strong runs on the break, before the ball was soon lost. To finish, Banks and Darren had the only Knebworth chances and cost us the game in the final 5 minutes.

Poor turnout to meet the new temporary landlord in the pub. Though Paul did leave before a delayed James arrived, after some issues closing the pavilion door had to be solved by the intervention of Jono’s size 14 trainers. Dave Jordan could not even sell all the spaces on the scratchcard – probably because everyone knew he had fixed it again and won the £10 himself.  Though he did spend £11 to win his £10, maths not being his strong point.