Knobs 1 Lilley Savage 5

The first game of the season, and first league game. A fresh start.....New keeper, new centre midfielder, goals put up early, new choice of pub, and a "new" club for returning Double Agent Dave Jordan. Sadly some things were not fresh and new. Late drops outs, late arrivals (with reason), soft goals and an injury for Paul Biscuits-Matthews.

Most of the season we worry about finding a ref. Dave's new found love for whatsapp meant he missed the email that said a ref had already been appointed for the fixture and we had 2. Les was sent packing. 2 refs was 2 more than the Knebworth subs bench, with a late drop out and Wayne running late after a late night at A&E - the team picked itself and all the managers had to do was to decide where to put Greg - centre defence was the answer.

First half - poor, defended Ok but the midfield gave them 2 goals.  Opposition, decent, but we let them play and did not defend as a team. Passing was too long on a fast surface.  Debutant andy Wray put in a shift in midfield next to Darren, but overall we seemed to give Rangers too much time on the ball.

second half - some improvement, but gave them 3 easy goals and Jono got a consolation. Passing a bit better, and shorter. Paul's ankle took a nasty blow and he was carried off. It was clumsy rather than nasty but a very dangerous one on someone with custard creams for legs. The clown making the tackle let himself down by coming into the dressing room after the game and asking Paul if he had seen his beloved and missing red tee shirt, without making an apology or asking how Paul was.
After the heaviest defeat in the opening game of the season since 1897, deputy assistant manager Aldrich said "team spirit went out of the window at 4-0 - heads were down and the blame culture crept back in. I thought Dave Jordan had his best vets game since he played in a 3-0 victory for Sandridge last season. So it's not fair to blame Dave this week, I'm going for the  forwards, barely had a shot on goal"

Aldrich's right hand deputy assistant helper was forced to apologise after the game. Hobbs said "Sorry I could not make the pub. Andy Wray took 90 mins to get dressed causing a delay to locking up the pavilion - I had to catch a flight to Dublin, there are 10 days until the transfer window closes and we are in the market for a new Irishman"