Welwyn Sports 2 Knobs 3

On a cold and fresh Valentines Day, the Vets beat Welwyn Sports for only the second time in 78 previous meetings. On a flat but heavy pitch Knebworth looked to pass from the start, and dominated the opening minutes. Woody was a nuisance upfront, and buoyed by last weeks hat trick Dave Millhouse was a constant threat.  Jono played in his 7th position this season, and looked more comfortable than normal, combining well with Ally. Martyn Brown returned to action after a club suspension for being caught in the Station  Pub on 7 consecutive Saturday lunchtimes.

Knebworth took the lead after a good pass from Woody allowed Dave M to fire home. Leading scorer in 2016 Dave thanked his Mum after the game. Dave said "My Mum knew I was struggling before Christmas, so she bought me some pop up goals for the garden, and one of those ball on elastic contraptions. I've been practicing every evening after school and it is really helping". After a competitive and fractious first half Knebworth were one up.

Dave Jordan was introduced at half time, and quickly made a big impact by inexcusably pushing a forward in the penalty box as a cross came in from the left. A tearful Jordan apologized to the squad after the game. "I saw red, I'm sorry, the number 18 was taking the mickey out the sound effects I make whenever I go near the ball, so I pushed him".

At 1-1 Knebworth kept passing the ball well, and Welywn kept looking for a scrap, on or off the ball.  Banksy replaced and out of puff Martyn, and immediately looked to win the slow race with the big Welwyn centre half - I guess there are different ways of slowing a game down. Knebworth went 2-1 up when Dave M found the increasingly unpopular Woody to slide home. After losing the previous 65 matches against Welywn, Knebworth were nervous but continued to pass well, compete well and dominate possession. With 15 minutes to go Woody went past his man again, crossed and somehow Jono scored. The out of form Irishman was having one of his better days.

Welwyn immediately looked to strike back and with the clock running down pulled one back. After a foul on the left, the free kick was crossed in. Wayne organised the defence, calling the line on the penalty spot. Jono misheard the shout of "penalty spot", believing Wayne had shouted "leave your man in space, and lets see if number 17 can score a diving header past Tony" Luckily only a minute was left and Knebworth could bask in the glory of victory against Welywn, achieving the dream that many in orange before them had failed.

After the game a Welywn forward commented that he couldn't understand how Knebworth conceded so many goals with such a strong centre half pairing. In related news, Tony could do nothing about the goals this week.

Sausage sandwiches, chips and wedges in the Steamer. The best food since Brendan Walkden put away 9 bacon sandwiches away at Harpenden according to pub food expert Martyn Brown.