Saints 2 Knobs 6

The Vets registered their first win of 2016, putting 6 past Saints. This was a much needed win, the first league victory since December 6th, ahead of a tough run of fixtures in the coming weeks.

Knebworth welcomed back Paul “Biscuits” Matthews, the most brittle man in Knebworth Vets history, and moved free scoring, non-moving, super Sub Banksy into goal.

On the only flat pitch in the league, Knebworth began well, dominating possession and passing the ball around well. On a cold and windy morning, Knebworth kept the ball on the floor, using Banksy as a kamikaze sweeper to pass out from the back. There were 2 near misses from this approach, but it was a welcome change from Tony “Sorry” Clare kicking long for touch. It wasn’t long before Dave M found space to score his only his 5th of the season, drawing level with defender Hobbs in the goal scoring charts. Dave soon made it 6 for the season, and Knebworth were looking comfortable.   Unfortunately Knebworth rarely do comfortable victories and just before half time the midfield went missing and Hobbs stepped in to intercept but took out the Saints forward.  The resulting free kick was well struck and left Banksy no chance. 2-1 at half time.

Biscuits Matthews joined the fray at half time. Within 30 seconds, he was immediately into action with some strong tackles, causing everyone to hold their, anticipating another roll of the ankle.  Goal of the season was soon to follow. Playing out from the back, Knebworth attacked on the left, went cross field to Bully who dinked a slow cross behind the forwards. However Biscuits was unconcerned and launched a spectacular overhead kick of such high quality that it clearly has no place in Vets football. Remarkably the ball flew into the top corner.  

Saints were not giving up, and a quickly taken free kick allowed a cross, for a header home. 3-2, and Knebworth were getting nervous, against the wind, in a match they were dominating. Fortunately Bully soon found space to make it 4-2, then Dave completed a hat trick and Rob Hanlon signed off with a shot from the edge of the box.

Dave Jordan claimed an assist for one of these goals, and after the game wild man Wayne Clarke said “once again victory resulting from a masterful defensive performance, all the goals started with our passes, we provide the canvas for the forwards to paint beautiful pictures – but once again it looked messy painting for 5 year olds at St Martins Church. 89% possession great, 6 goals great, but their keeper never made a save all game”.

Manager Mutley Hobbs said after the game how shocked he was at the loss the previous week at MBDA. “I don’t mean to be big headed, and myself and Dastardly Aldrich remain 100% united, but we won 8-0 at MBDA when Aldrich was away. MBDA at home I was away, we lost 3-2. Just saying”.

Hobbs also said there was nothing in the rumour that Jono Forde has left the club. “It’s just paper talk, I called him in the week, and explained assuming Dave Millhouse doesn’t get a hat trick at Saints, and Paul Matthews doesn’t get injured at Saints he will be straight back in the team. The chances of those two events happening are 1000-1 at Ladbrokes, I put on a tenner though”