Superb, same place, Steve penalty divided the sides, but hey this should have been a 14-1 result for us. Why not? I know the answer but will not divulge. Needlees to say the mantra is " enjoy the game"- oh yes I'd forgotten that. Get beat 9-0 but as long as you enjoy the game. As long as you do something you can think back on in the following week and say- I did my individual thing, I shot, I fouled , I told my mates to 'fuck off', I laughed at the futility of existence then it's OK all is forgiven and wonderful. Probably right in this worrying age. Bon chance to you all.
I think I enjoyed the game overall. Cogito ergo sum.
Negative team talk at half time? Hey lads, Av given up being Mr Marvellous on a football field. But several of you haven't. 0-0 at half time was simply disgraceful, I'm sure you will all agree.?
They, man for man, were nothing compared to us, yet it was 0-0. Why? Luck- yes, their goalie got lucky and saved a few genuinely, fair enough, but really it was due to a lack of playing to our strengths that was the downfall. FUCKING HELL we could have passed them into oblivion on that pitch! But we don't and we didn't. But hey if you enjoy that way of playing cos it fulfils some atavistic desire we did well. Personally I was making the point that we should, please, play together. It's a team game, with some players now individually better than others for whatever reasons. I made the point that when I had the ball near me in the first half I passed accurately to a team mate . I mentioned this in the hope that, yes I'm ancient but please in certain contexts give me a pass and I'll endeavour not to give it away. It was not supposed to be a negative 'team talk' in deed if I was to really manage a team I'd be brutally frank, insist on certain patterns of play and if someone was not joining the arrangement, yank them off. (Difficult when there are only 11 on a particular day). But our team and vets football is subtly different or perhaps not that subtly. As long as you enjoy being on the pitch 0-9 or 9-0 that is the crux it seems. Afterwards have a shower and a few pints.... and I love you Fred or Harry and how's life in the jungle last week?
But, if competing and hopefully winning is the be all and end all then a wholly different aproach and attitude is required. We should have slaughtered them but something went wrong and in the end we beat them by a debatable penalty. Look into your inner recesses old men and wonder why.
It's a team game football, illuminated by the occasional person who rises astronomically above others, but only occasionally. You have to trust the ability and honesty of the players you are playing with. Yesterday we didn't and haven't on other occasions. Hence the result.
I am being too harsh , I know. Oh well, I have enjoyed being involved in my dotage in games of this glorious format, fuck golf, but the magic of togetherness on a football field , maximising the team's strengths and minimising their weaknesses and realising true enjoyment is a difficult enterprise and perhaps beyond any mortal, including Sir Alex and the special one.
Next week we play the league champions, probably, and on players available to us this season I know we are better than them so make yourself available, they'll be looking to defeat us in order to put the icing on their cake.
What a save from Twiggy, now clean sheeting in all games he has donned the green this season. Mind you the super glue on the gloves might have helped.
KNEBWORTH VETS has been going for over 20 years now with personnel who are still playing, Brendan and Bill, those who have left the country, Jack, Karlis and Steve and who have retired into oblivion, Kenny, Kevin, Peter, Peter, Jerry, Chris, Alan Watts, Neil, Big Bob, Mark, Big John, Dave S, Peter T, Stuart, Paul, Peter G, Nigel, Kevin, Mike S and loads of others and the Knobs will go on, doubt ye not. Enjoy, but enjoy realising it's a team game- play to strengths and try to minimise weaknesses. Remember your mates their position, their present abilities, their personalities and whether they'll buy you a pint in times of economic stress. (Vote Labour by the way).
Love you all
Unknown Crennell
Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Monday, 26 April 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
Walkern 2 knobs 2
Air flights interfere with a Vets football game- Mike and Phil affected.
I return from me paper rounds to find we are down to 8!!!! Oh bugger! An hour on the phone got us up to 9. Arrival at the school,Thomas Alleyne , saw us in great heart, Gavin was going to slipploacte them. So good so far. They gave us two, which made a contest but took the edge off the game! Especially since Pat was terrific , aged 61, and probably, solid man of the match. Also they gave us the wonderful Butch who played so cannily at the back it made me think that we have a lovely formation for future games. Sign him on. Chris G would love to play with Butch every week.
First half they never threatened- with their playing from the back, slow and ponderous. being negated by our youthful exuberance, intercepting and foraging by such as Gavin and new boy Andy.We didn't, unfortunately, punch our weight. A nice finish from Gavin, amidst several other misses by us, was equalised by a mistake ( mine I believe), 1-1 half time.
Second half we went ahead from a neat move finished by Andy, eat your heart out Mike Lisle, and me. An occasional sporadic move forward saw them equalise from a distance shot- me back was fucked from the off, but subsequent pressure saw me stop goal attempts in apathetic geriatric ways- Am, finished you fuckers- someone else take turn in goal next time.
Dave was involved in boh forward movements tghat led to our goals- let it be recorded.
A sunny drink in the Dun Cow garden followed. Twiggy turned up with his cold, having deigned to play, and everything was honky tonky- I think.
Dave was instrumental in the start of both moves that led to our goals by the way. Also John Boyle hit the post with a rocket.
We simply aren't scoring enough at this level.
I return from me paper rounds to find we are down to 8!!!! Oh bugger! An hour on the phone got us up to 9. Arrival at the school,Thomas Alleyne , saw us in great heart, Gavin was going to slipploacte them. So good so far. They gave us two, which made a contest but took the edge off the game! Especially since Pat was terrific , aged 61, and probably, solid man of the match. Also they gave us the wonderful Butch who played so cannily at the back it made me think that we have a lovely formation for future games. Sign him on. Chris G would love to play with Butch every week.
First half they never threatened- with their playing from the back, slow and ponderous. being negated by our youthful exuberance, intercepting and foraging by such as Gavin and new boy Andy.We didn't, unfortunately, punch our weight. A nice finish from Gavin, amidst several other misses by us, was equalised by a mistake ( mine I believe), 1-1 half time.
Second half we went ahead from a neat move finished by Andy, eat your heart out Mike Lisle, and me. An occasional sporadic move forward saw them equalise from a distance shot- me back was fucked from the off, but subsequent pressure saw me stop goal attempts in apathetic geriatric ways- Am, finished you fuckers- someone else take turn in goal next time.
Dave was involved in boh forward movements tghat led to our goals- let it be recorded.
A sunny drink in the Dun Cow garden followed. Twiggy turned up with his cold, having deigned to play, and everything was honky tonky- I think.
Dave was instrumental in the start of both moves that led to our goals by the way. Also John Boyle hit the post with a rocket.
We simply aren't scoring enough at this level.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Knobs 0 Standon 1
Computer back up and running- thanks John.
We're hardly scoring goals this year but not conceding many either, however recent results ultimately show we're not fighting our true weight.
Down a goal after 30 seconds, a Dave push, which only he didn't see, and a freekick into the corner past the valiant Paul. What's a goal when there's so much time to go? They played efficiently at times but thereafter hardly threatened our goal, especially second half. Oh they did crash the cross bar in the first half. Fair do's.
Gavin could have scored 7 and should have scored at least 1 but then who else would have had the verve and energy to get into those positions? Look out someone one of these games this boy will be on fire. Perhaps it will be Walkern this Sunday, but not if he is sweeper the old timers' position.
We tired second half.
Hey what about that block by yours headless, in the wall, at a freekick. Saved a certain goal. So I'm only fit to stand in a wall now and be battered by missiles. Head ached all day, still there were some affable sniggers.
A subdued pub gathering, by us, we all trudged homeward early leaving the opposition drinking merrily.
We're hardly scoring goals this year but not conceding many either, however recent results ultimately show we're not fighting our true weight.
Down a goal after 30 seconds, a Dave push, which only he didn't see, and a freekick into the corner past the valiant Paul. What's a goal when there's so much time to go? They played efficiently at times but thereafter hardly threatened our goal, especially second half. Oh they did crash the cross bar in the first half. Fair do's.
Gavin could have scored 7 and should have scored at least 1 but then who else would have had the verve and energy to get into those positions? Look out someone one of these games this boy will be on fire. Perhaps it will be Walkern this Sunday, but not if he is sweeper the old timers' position.
We tired second half.
Hey what about that block by yours headless, in the wall, at a freekick. Saved a certain goal. So I'm only fit to stand in a wall now and be battered by missiles. Head ached all day, still there were some affable sniggers.
A subdued pub gathering, by us, we all trudged homeward early leaving the opposition drinking merrily.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Knobs 2 Old Pretenders 2
As it happens an evenly matched game, which shouldn't have been , but with us actually hanging on at the end! A draw which felt like a defeat, is that because we all think we're better than we are? Almost probably. almost certainly on the day.
They started and finished with ten and though there were murmurings about certain of their 'young' lads afterwards, John, their central midfielder is 61. looks almost as young as me. Cough, splutter!
In the first minute Matty was slickly put through only to be foiled by a good save by their erstwhile midfielder, now competent keeper. From an accurate ensuing corner Mike glanced a header wide. My 10-0 prediction was on course as I stood nearby fiddling with my flag. Some neat moves followed from us without them even threatening to cross the half way line never mind disturbing Phil's rest in goals. Another corner saw our first goal from the trusty Twigg head.
It must be said at this stage that whoever chose this particular beachball to play with wants their veterans' credentials thrust to the place where the sun never shines. Turned out it was Mary's ball! A far cry from sodden leather, laces and the cock sticking out threatening brain cells right, left and centre.
Second goal arrived, after a cross from the right was sent swirling into the far corner from the head of Mike- Mary's Dad- well practised with that ball!
An inebriated Dave was switched a minute before half time with Ron- the ensuing shite means I'll probably never play again. I don't care now I've done my stint, had my fill. (Untrue actually). What I need is a team like Old Pretenders who are never complete, always short and pleased to have the bare 11 on the field. That's probably not just my problem as time flows by.
An untroubled half hour into the second half, with not a few of our shots, well engineered, but flying perilously close to Bill's windows in Oakfield Avenue, saw the heroic Roy limp off to be replaced by Dave- 45 last week- but not before he had fairly hung, drawn and quartered their young centre forward. Thereafter we conceded two very poor goals - none more so than their first. Terrible, ageing reactions to covering that could easily have been achieved. Nowt to do with age actually, all to do with thinking and hoping someone else will cover this problem- the someone else usually being the hard working Chris Griffiths.
Their equaliser came from a break from our profligacy in attack. Too much casualness. Eventually in our area some kind of bobbly knock carried the ball over the line at 1mph. Goalkeeper could not be faulted however, so what happened there lads?
We thought we were good enough- we weren't. We thought we'd win easily, we should have but didn't. We think we're good but we're not if we don't play to our strengths and minimise our weaknesses. We should have got the ball on the deck far more and passed it. We are good at that, but first time passes and flicks are a risk at any level and we are not at any level. Even if we concede a bit of momentum or risk getting caught in possession we should endeavour to get the ball down first and then maximise our chances of playing it accurately and, vitally, keeping possession. After all the lot squabbling for possession are vets also and are no more the sprightliest!
Thanks to Alistair for reffing. No conteroversies but hey you don't expect any against Old P's.
A good turn out at the Station where they seemed to think we could operate quite nicely on platefuls of crisps better employed to make bio fuel.
Ron hardly made a mistake!
They started and finished with ten and though there were murmurings about certain of their 'young' lads afterwards, John, their central midfielder is 61. looks almost as young as me. Cough, splutter!
In the first minute Matty was slickly put through only to be foiled by a good save by their erstwhile midfielder, now competent keeper. From an accurate ensuing corner Mike glanced a header wide. My 10-0 prediction was on course as I stood nearby fiddling with my flag. Some neat moves followed from us without them even threatening to cross the half way line never mind disturbing Phil's rest in goals. Another corner saw our first goal from the trusty Twigg head.
It must be said at this stage that whoever chose this particular beachball to play with wants their veterans' credentials thrust to the place where the sun never shines. Turned out it was Mary's ball! A far cry from sodden leather, laces and the cock sticking out threatening brain cells right, left and centre.
Second goal arrived, after a cross from the right was sent swirling into the far corner from the head of Mike- Mary's Dad- well practised with that ball!
An inebriated Dave was switched a minute before half time with Ron- the ensuing shite means I'll probably never play again. I don't care now I've done my stint, had my fill. (Untrue actually). What I need is a team like Old Pretenders who are never complete, always short and pleased to have the bare 11 on the field. That's probably not just my problem as time flows by.
An untroubled half hour into the second half, with not a few of our shots, well engineered, but flying perilously close to Bill's windows in Oakfield Avenue, saw the heroic Roy limp off to be replaced by Dave- 45 last week- but not before he had fairly hung, drawn and quartered their young centre forward. Thereafter we conceded two very poor goals - none more so than their first. Terrible, ageing reactions to covering that could easily have been achieved. Nowt to do with age actually, all to do with thinking and hoping someone else will cover this problem- the someone else usually being the hard working Chris Griffiths.
Their equaliser came from a break from our profligacy in attack. Too much casualness. Eventually in our area some kind of bobbly knock carried the ball over the line at 1mph. Goalkeeper could not be faulted however, so what happened there lads?
We thought we were good enough- we weren't. We thought we'd win easily, we should have but didn't. We think we're good but we're not if we don't play to our strengths and minimise our weaknesses. We should have got the ball on the deck far more and passed it. We are good at that, but first time passes and flicks are a risk at any level and we are not at any level. Even if we concede a bit of momentum or risk getting caught in possession we should endeavour to get the ball down first and then maximise our chances of playing it accurately and, vitally, keeping possession. After all the lot squabbling for possession are vets also and are no more the sprightliest!
Thanks to Alistair for reffing. No conteroversies but hey you don't expect any against Old P's.
A good turn out at the Station where they seemed to think we could operate quite nicely on platefuls of crisps better employed to make bio fuel.
Ron hardly made a mistake!
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Knobs 1 Goldings 0
At last a win and a delightful spring morning in addition- the equinox. A match teeming with bonhomie. Phil reluctantly in goal, untroubled, Ron linesman, non troublesome and John Twigg reffing, saturated in compliments and bon mots throughout. "Thank you referee you are certainly no cheating cunt" and "oh swipe me down with a brolly referee I nearly demurred at your decision til I realised you were oh so right- I'll buy you a sherbet in Ye Jolly Olde Station afterwards."
We started well some nice incisive moves with no finish before becoming bogged down in the heat. I thought we were becoming complacent and feeling it to be a matter of time before we scored a few and won. Alistair assures me it was the heatwave. After all we bystanders have never experienced such stamina sapping condtions before so shurrup Ron. Gavin came on for a drained Darren and immediately slalomed through before setting up a glorious chance, which was missed by one of the M and M's. It was conceivably a poor cross of course! They, Goldings' youngest ever side, rarely threatened and Phil hardly had to make a save worthy of the name. Huffing and puffing continued into the second half until an incisive move started by a class Steve pass went from Gavin to Matt who then unselfishly squared to John B who netted, comfortably or was it other than that? Dave had a terrific game defensively and in attacking support, Roy's final contribution a death defying tackle showed us what we have missed and Chris G had another steady perceptive game. Hopefully all enjoyed the outing, but don't know why St John gave me my whistle back at the end, he'll be number one blower in the future.
A moderate pub turn out and sandwiches late in arrival were neverthelees devoured. Pity the opposition had all departed by then. Next week it's Old Pretenders at home and then a break for Easter Sunday unless anyone fancies the Dads and Coaches?
We started well some nice incisive moves with no finish before becoming bogged down in the heat. I thought we were becoming complacent and feeling it to be a matter of time before we scored a few and won. Alistair assures me it was the heatwave. After all we bystanders have never experienced such stamina sapping condtions before so shurrup Ron. Gavin came on for a drained Darren and immediately slalomed through before setting up a glorious chance, which was missed by one of the M and M's. It was conceivably a poor cross of course! They, Goldings' youngest ever side, rarely threatened and Phil hardly had to make a save worthy of the name. Huffing and puffing continued into the second half until an incisive move started by a class Steve pass went from Gavin to Matt who then unselfishly squared to John B who netted, comfortably or was it other than that? Dave had a terrific game defensively and in attacking support, Roy's final contribution a death defying tackle showed us what we have missed and Chris G had another steady perceptive game. Hopefully all enjoyed the outing, but don't know why St John gave me my whistle back at the end, he'll be number one blower in the future.
A moderate pub turn out and sandwiches late in arrival were neverthelees devoured. Pity the opposition had all departed by then. Next week it's Old Pretenders at home and then a break for Easter Sunday unless anyone fancies the Dads and Coaches?
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Knobs 1 Sandy 2
E- mail from Andy in the league- what went wrong, in that according to the Sandy sneak it was a game teeming with bonhomie, good nature and played in the right spirit!
Right spirit for who?
I apologise to Richard and John for their needing to hold onto me. Never again.
What happened? Well after constant verbals for 80 odd minutes and having left the field I suppose I took offence to their 'player'-manager calling me a cheat on behalf of my team, repeatedly. So I thought I'd push him and see if his balls were anywhere near his mealy mouthed gob. A duel in the sun to defend my integrity. Oh foolish boy! Don't think he was up for it, pity or perhaps not.
They scored 2 we scored 1, a penalty by Steve. We missed a few and their goalie was up for it also. I thought Knobs were better, though their boy Wayne, up front was a handful.
Was it a penalty? I thought so, soft but a definite penalty. Please comment re your own view of this incident. Didn't their linesmen have good games? Oh well, guess I won't be involved in the grubfest at Blunham for a while.
Anyone for referee from now on- a very rewarding pastime.
Right spirit for who?
I apologise to Richard and John for their needing to hold onto me. Never again.
What happened? Well after constant verbals for 80 odd minutes and having left the field I suppose I took offence to their 'player'-manager calling me a cheat on behalf of my team, repeatedly. So I thought I'd push him and see if his balls were anywhere near his mealy mouthed gob. A duel in the sun to defend my integrity. Oh foolish boy! Don't think he was up for it, pity or perhaps not.
They scored 2 we scored 1, a penalty by Steve. We missed a few and their goalie was up for it also. I thought Knobs were better, though their boy Wayne, up front was a handful.
Was it a penalty? I thought so, soft but a definite penalty. Please comment re your own view of this incident. Didn't their linesmen have good games? Oh well, guess I won't be involved in the grubfest at Blunham for a while.
Anyone for referee from now on- a very rewarding pastime.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Wilbury 2 Knobs 2
An afternoon game on a mudheap which steadily became unplayable. A fair result after we were 2-0 up midway through the second half. Nice of Mark to turn up knackered after playing 90 minutes in the morning for Ashwell. I wonder how they got on, Mark couldn't have scored. he would have said so. Still he made a good linesman except, some would say, for overturning the ref's decision of a throw for us from which they broke away and scored!
Anyway chance for the old boy to have 90 minutes., which I enjoyed. Yooz made an ould man very happy- till I got yem it lasted! We started slowly, they hit the bar, then slowly we came to terms with the slurry and created our own chances, one of which was saved point blank range by a very competent keeper from Matt.
First Dave moment had come in the dressing room before the start. Dave recounted his car write off moment when he had shunted up someone's arse at a roundabout. Nothing new there then Dave likes to get tight from behind. (Steve had bashed his car this morning- it was the ice- I know better). Second Dave moment came when he committed an innocuous foul 9rightly given) after which their man chased after him and kicked him from behind. Considering cards had already been brandished I felt a little bit of inconsistency had crept in! The third Dave moment came just before halftime from a corner with Dave clashing heads with their man Tom. Dave emerged cut and Tom bumped. Dave went off and missed a sweet move whuich led to our opener. Ron with space on the edge of the area responded to Phil's INTELLIGENT call and squared to him. His rasping shot put us one up. Dave, the rivers of blood having been staunched- fuck off it were only a scratch- rejoined the fray for the second half.
The second half saw the crowd swell to double figures as both sides swam for their lives. Our second came from a smothered handball in the six yard box. Steve's penalty was well saved but the ball stuck on the goalline and Steve pounced to crash home from an inch. Noone was gonna get in his way for that one. They equalised from a break, thanks Mark! Actually he was right it was their throw but hey don't let him off. Their equaliser from a penalty was dubious if not to say wrong. 'Honest' Chris never touched their surging runner as he collapsed in exhaustion in the area. The referee's retort well I've given you a penalty. So it does work like that. Both sides scrapped to the end with Wilbury territorially on top. Scrapping literally. Their 'hothead' became embroiled with Steve. A tackle, a bit of afters then a flicked mudpie in the face led to a Bull's rage. After throats had been grabbed and pleasantries exchanged the referee enforced a 10 minute sinbin for both players. Steve's ultimate sin being swearing in front of children. I didn't mind, I don't know about the others. Anyway I've often warned Steve about such language! Tee hee! With 15 minutes to go Steve never got back on cos he still had 4 minutes to serve.
15-10= minus 4. Teaching these days. Well done to the young referee he has a long and far from tranquil journey ahead in his chosen hobby.
We adjourned to a quaint old fashioned boozer in Baldock called The Engine. Drink and food were plentiful. They still have large notices displayed about the possession of illegal substances, I suppose they mean tabs and brains.
Toodle pip.
Anyway chance for the old boy to have 90 minutes., which I enjoyed. Yooz made an ould man very happy- till I got yem it lasted! We started slowly, they hit the bar, then slowly we came to terms with the slurry and created our own chances, one of which was saved point blank range by a very competent keeper from Matt.
First Dave moment had come in the dressing room before the start. Dave recounted his car write off moment when he had shunted up someone's arse at a roundabout. Nothing new there then Dave likes to get tight from behind. (Steve had bashed his car this morning- it was the ice- I know better). Second Dave moment came when he committed an innocuous foul 9rightly given) after which their man chased after him and kicked him from behind. Considering cards had already been brandished I felt a little bit of inconsistency had crept in! The third Dave moment came just before halftime from a corner with Dave clashing heads with their man Tom. Dave emerged cut and Tom bumped. Dave went off and missed a sweet move whuich led to our opener. Ron with space on the edge of the area responded to Phil's INTELLIGENT call and squared to him. His rasping shot put us one up. Dave, the rivers of blood having been staunched- fuck off it were only a scratch- rejoined the fray for the second half.
The second half saw the crowd swell to double figures as both sides swam for their lives. Our second came from a smothered handball in the six yard box. Steve's penalty was well saved but the ball stuck on the goalline and Steve pounced to crash home from an inch. Noone was gonna get in his way for that one. They equalised from a break, thanks Mark! Actually he was right it was their throw but hey don't let him off. Their equaliser from a penalty was dubious if not to say wrong. 'Honest' Chris never touched their surging runner as he collapsed in exhaustion in the area. The referee's retort well I've given you a penalty. So it does work like that. Both sides scrapped to the end with Wilbury territorially on top. Scrapping literally. Their 'hothead' became embroiled with Steve. A tackle, a bit of afters then a flicked mudpie in the face led to a Bull's rage. After throats had been grabbed and pleasantries exchanged the referee enforced a 10 minute sinbin for both players. Steve's ultimate sin being swearing in front of children. I didn't mind, I don't know about the others. Anyway I've often warned Steve about such language! Tee hee! With 15 minutes to go Steve never got back on cos he still had 4 minutes to serve.
15-10= minus 4. Teaching these days. Well done to the young referee he has a long and far from tranquil journey ahead in his chosen hobby.
We adjourned to a quaint old fashioned boozer in Baldock called The Engine. Drink and food were plentiful. They still have large notices displayed about the possession of illegal substances, I suppose they mean tabs and brains.
Toodle pip.
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