Goodbye Sir Ronald
Quack quack
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Monday, 21 January 2013
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Knobs 3 Harpenden 1
The snow didn't arrive but the Knobs did. A very competitive performance downhill in the first half saw us only 1-0 up but there were no weakneses and they didn'y have a sniff. Unfortunately we did, probably Dave's diet, farter uber alles, puff puff out the mouth matched by phlumff phlumff out the bottom. That's Dave you love him if your olfactory strengths are switched off. ("The fucker stinks the field out" who said that? ).
Hey it was cold. I stood there fully prepared to come on at any wisp of non application but there was none. We passed well and were on top and deservedly went one up when a Bully corner pathetically miscued trickled into the box and evaded everyone except the much derided Brendan who, marauding into the box, forced the ball emphatically home from some part of his knee, ( enjoy your skiing this week Brendan with so many other Knobs. Cunts!
Gavin was playing havoc with his pace but could we get it right for him. Yes we could second half.
1-0 up we were awarded a penalty when one of Gavin's bursts into the area led to a scything. Would I instead of John Twigg given it , I'm certain I would. For the second week running Steve, Mr Reliable, approached and saw his firmly struck shot pushed wide! Either keepers are getting quicker or Steve has not regained his conditining after his long lay off. The gossips are out, after all Gav, number one goalscorer, has a 100% record from the spot! Fortunately for Steve, Gavin doesn't attend the post match discussions at the Lytton, where sanity prevails. Shitty pub, poor choice, bring back the even shittier Station at least it's our shitty Station. Anyway, Steve remains penalty taker!!!!!!
Second half they came on stronger but players might not have noticed but when teams exhiliratingly pour downhill attacking, they rarely fancy tracking back when their moves break down. So this proved to our advanatage as several times we broke only to find our final efforts not quite up to scratch. It was only a matter of time and so it proved. Fuck me I've had to stop, I know we went two up. Is it the the bottle of Chardonnay I've imbibed during this afternoon's Aresnal game or is it dementia? Anyway Gavin scored- it's coming back.......slowly. John, John, John,,,, help....
They poured forward and got got one back from a neat header at the the far post. I'd been tellinng Brendan to tuck in throughout, but perhaps this was a tuck too far.
Our third came from a rasping Gavin shot, via a deflection, I think, and they were never coming back.
I remained on the line throughout because it was like a true match though we were undoubtedly superior and deserved the win. I would have come on if an an injury ensued but tactically there was no need for a sub. Not many people appreciate the need for someone to stand on the line and not get a sniff of action on a Sunday morning's Vets game. But that is proper football. At least the football I was brought up in when accursed subs were introduced sometime in the Sixties.
( I suppose I had nowt better to do, some might say- fuck off, if you want to win each game sometimes individuals have to come along and sometimes simply wait for the good of the team).
John Boyle had a cracker at right back- clearing off the line at one attack at 2-1., Trevor was so competent, lovely fist first half, Brendan's passing was excellent and he was never stretched, he scored and cleared off the line. Roy was magnificient! Tony was immense. Chris worked like a dog, sniff sniff, woof woof. Ian was so hard I loved it, love a bit of hardness. Richard was back and effervescent, Steve, though out of position, too far forward, contributed throughout and was full of vocal encouragement. Dave , headerer from afar, scrapped and fought and always worked hard to get back behind the ball and Gavin was a simply a scourge of Vets teams throughout Hertfordshire or anywhere. The oldies just can't handle pace. Come on Gav, next week Sandy, man of the season is within your reach.
A fair turn out in the Lytton- only chips today- / Gavin wasn't there... cunt.. lost my vote. Next weeek Sandy away oh come all you faithful!!!! Especially you Gavin my finger is twitching!
Hey it was cold. I stood there fully prepared to come on at any wisp of non application but there was none. We passed well and were on top and deservedly went one up when a Bully corner pathetically miscued trickled into the box and evaded everyone except the much derided Brendan who, marauding into the box, forced the ball emphatically home from some part of his knee, ( enjoy your skiing this week Brendan with so many other Knobs. Cunts!
Gavin was playing havoc with his pace but could we get it right for him. Yes we could second half.
1-0 up we were awarded a penalty when one of Gavin's bursts into the area led to a scything. Would I instead of John Twigg given it , I'm certain I would. For the second week running Steve, Mr Reliable, approached and saw his firmly struck shot pushed wide! Either keepers are getting quicker or Steve has not regained his conditining after his long lay off. The gossips are out, after all Gav, number one goalscorer, has a 100% record from the spot! Fortunately for Steve, Gavin doesn't attend the post match discussions at the Lytton, where sanity prevails. Shitty pub, poor choice, bring back the even shittier Station at least it's our shitty Station. Anyway, Steve remains penalty taker!!!!!!
Second half they came on stronger but players might not have noticed but when teams exhiliratingly pour downhill attacking, they rarely fancy tracking back when their moves break down. So this proved to our advanatage as several times we broke only to find our final efforts not quite up to scratch. It was only a matter of time and so it proved. Fuck me I've had to stop, I know we went two up. Is it the the bottle of Chardonnay I've imbibed during this afternoon's Aresnal game or is it dementia? Anyway Gavin scored- it's coming back.......slowly. John, John, John,,,, help....
They poured forward and got got one back from a neat header at the the far post. I'd been tellinng Brendan to tuck in throughout, but perhaps this was a tuck too far.
Our third came from a rasping Gavin shot, via a deflection, I think, and they were never coming back.
I remained on the line throughout because it was like a true match though we were undoubtedly superior and deserved the win. I would have come on if an an injury ensued but tactically there was no need for a sub. Not many people appreciate the need for someone to stand on the line and not get a sniff of action on a Sunday morning's Vets game. But that is proper football. At least the football I was brought up in when accursed subs were introduced sometime in the Sixties.
( I suppose I had nowt better to do, some might say- fuck off, if you want to win each game sometimes individuals have to come along and sometimes simply wait for the good of the team).
John Boyle had a cracker at right back- clearing off the line at one attack at 2-1., Trevor was so competent, lovely fist first half, Brendan's passing was excellent and he was never stretched, he scored and cleared off the line. Roy was magnificient! Tony was immense. Chris worked like a dog, sniff sniff, woof woof. Ian was so hard I loved it, love a bit of hardness. Richard was back and effervescent, Steve, though out of position, too far forward, contributed throughout and was full of vocal encouragement. Dave , headerer from afar, scrapped and fought and always worked hard to get back behind the ball and Gavin was a simply a scourge of Vets teams throughout Hertfordshire or anywhere. The oldies just can't handle pace. Come on Gav, next week Sandy, man of the season is within your reach.
A fair turn out in the Lytton- only chips today- / Gavin wasn't there... cunt.. lost my vote. Next weeek Sandy away oh come all you faithful!!!! Especially you Gavin my finger is twitching!
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Knobs 6 Therfield 3
Could have been a difficult game but with Paul coming through in goal in place of a croaky Dave and two contributing guest players Des and Mark we came through well. Not to forget a cameo role from the returning Roy, for it was he, wonderfully blocking John Boyle's nemesis and effectively shutting his trap for the first time in living memory.
I figured we were on for 15 at the start but a lacklustre beginning swiftly saw us 2-0 down and a measure of overstriving entered the proceedings which meant we were not home and dry till the hour mark. Thereafter it could have been a hatful but turned out only six.
Their effective midfielder thumped in an early half chance followed by a Chris deflection which gave us a jolt. 2-0 behind, ten minutes gone.
Ali, good Dave, Bully and Joel exhibited our riches in midfield but none of them were bringing the very best out of Mark. Gerry, very industrious throughout, found Dave who shimmied into the area before carefully netting from a narrow angle. A controversial penalty saw Bully placing hard toward the corner only for their excellent keeper to tip round the corner. Still 2-1 but only a matter of time methinks. Mark carried a ball inside and let fly from 25 and a slight deflection saw the ball loop high into the net. Energy and fitness would settle the game second half. Dave had left with a hamstring pull and Alistair replaced Chris Wilson who went into centre mid to effectively compete against and eventually shackle their best player. A sweet left to right move saw them take the lead, a very well worked goal but we levelled after a deflected shot from Mark was spilled by the keeper and was snaffled by Gerry. Ali then scored a peach from distance, guided through bodies with the outside of his foot into the bottom corner. How many more do you want? Two it seemed. A very sweet cross shot from Joel high over the keeper as he cut in from the left, 5-3. Someone help me out with the other one!
Brendan had a very competent game which he marked with an innovative new style pass, the spoon pass. He tried it 5 times and it came off 4- don't persist Brendan! Watching Roy's 15 minutes stroll out gave me shivers as memories of his play in 5 a sides came flooding back to haunt me. Was it Des who advanced to score the 6th? No it wasn't, he had gallpoed forward in a lovely move earlier , like Arkle, before hitting too high. des not Arkle. No it was Chris Wilson who rifled home the sixth after an excellent move.
Two games against Therfield one we concede 9 and score 3 or 4 and today. Difference a fixture of two keepers really. Ours then and theirs today.
Good turn out at the chicken abbatoir. I left early for a mushroom risotto lunch in Welwyn.
Toodle pip and Happy New Year.
PS
Maggie in hysterics all day. If anyone sees me reffing and chewing me gob while slouching round with hands behind back, kick me up the arse.
She's still laughing. I'm really upset.
Ronald
I figured we were on for 15 at the start but a lacklustre beginning swiftly saw us 2-0 down and a measure of overstriving entered the proceedings which meant we were not home and dry till the hour mark. Thereafter it could have been a hatful but turned out only six.
Their effective midfielder thumped in an early half chance followed by a Chris deflection which gave us a jolt. 2-0 behind, ten minutes gone.
Ali, good Dave, Bully and Joel exhibited our riches in midfield but none of them were bringing the very best out of Mark. Gerry, very industrious throughout, found Dave who shimmied into the area before carefully netting from a narrow angle. A controversial penalty saw Bully placing hard toward the corner only for their excellent keeper to tip round the corner. Still 2-1 but only a matter of time methinks. Mark carried a ball inside and let fly from 25 and a slight deflection saw the ball loop high into the net. Energy and fitness would settle the game second half. Dave had left with a hamstring pull and Alistair replaced Chris Wilson who went into centre mid to effectively compete against and eventually shackle their best player. A sweet left to right move saw them take the lead, a very well worked goal but we levelled after a deflected shot from Mark was spilled by the keeper and was snaffled by Gerry. Ali then scored a peach from distance, guided through bodies with the outside of his foot into the bottom corner. How many more do you want? Two it seemed. A very sweet cross shot from Joel high over the keeper as he cut in from the left, 5-3. Someone help me out with the other one!
Brendan had a very competent game which he marked with an innovative new style pass, the spoon pass. He tried it 5 times and it came off 4- don't persist Brendan! Watching Roy's 15 minutes stroll out gave me shivers as memories of his play in 5 a sides came flooding back to haunt me. Was it Des who advanced to score the 6th? No it wasn't, he had gallpoed forward in a lovely move earlier , like Arkle, before hitting too high. des not Arkle. No it was Chris Wilson who rifled home the sixth after an excellent move.
Two games against Therfield one we concede 9 and score 3 or 4 and today. Difference a fixture of two keepers really. Ours then and theirs today.
Good turn out at the chicken abbatoir. I left early for a mushroom risotto lunch in Welwyn.
Toodle pip and Happy New Year.
PS
Maggie in hysterics all day. If anyone sees me reffing and chewing me gob while slouching round with hands behind back, kick me up the arse.
She's still laughing. I'm really upset.
Ronald
Monday, 24 December 2012
Knobs 3 Ashwell 0
The calm between the storms. Despite the deluges of Thursday and Saturday the pitch on Sunday was firm and playable. A comfortable enough victory whose margin should have been far greater but for careless finishing and some excellent keeping.
We should have been out of sight at half time courtesy of some excellent and at times patient football yet the score was only 1-0. The goal came from another good move down the left which was bobbled in by the supporting full back John Boyle following a Gavin 'dummy' or complete miskick from 5 yards. Take your pick! Gerry and Chris Cox deserve special mention for some sensible defensive work in the wide midfield positions, always tucking in to assist the excellent central pairing of Chris and Good Dave. Jamie sustained an early injury and replaced Dave in goal, ( who had made a good save from their only shot on goal before he took up his puffing and panting position at full back). Jamie had little to do but control a savage Tony backpass but his distribution was so good. Other keepers take note.
Second half started scrappily as the game became too stretched. Part of the fault lay with everyone being a little cavalier going forward and not having the puff to get back. Seemingly this tactic was known as 'doing a chairman'. There were lots of chairpersons that second half.
A little controversy as Gavin was cavorting to the by line he appeared to slip over his own shadow, the sun had actually appeared, and his penalty claims were turned down. I gave the full back a bit of the benefit and the sun was in my eyes and I wasn't well placed. The reward for having a geriatric referee. Worse was to follow when the benign Andy lost his blob after a robust tackle on the penalty spot from their usually gentlemanly though robotic centre half. I genuinely thought he went for the ball and a collision occurred due to Andy's speed. No penalty and a limping Andy followed. He was not deterred as time and again he outpaced their defence only to be denied in his final efforts.
The second goal was overdue. Oh here it comes. An immaculate Dave throw in, hands from behind the head, feet planted on the turf, travelled unerringly to Andy, some 6 yards away. Brilliant! Andy swivelled and hit an inviting cross into the area where Gavin racing away from goal retrieved the ball and had the simple task of turning on a sixpence and lashing a whizzbanger across the goal into the far corner. Much better than a penalty.
A third followed from Good Dave as he careered into the area and lashed in an unstoppable one.
Mark Mills played a sensible game for them and was not, by prior agreement, tackled by any of us since he wanted to enjoy a pain free Christmas. Unless you count a body check by, yes of course, Naughty Dave, or was he too knackered to get out of the way.
Brendan did not show so missed a certain 90 minutes, he went to a local gym where the showers were hot to prepare for next week's big game. Joel did not show?
A handful of us joined a handful of them in the Lytton for a merry repast. Alistair must have chewed his way through 8 drumsticks. There was one left for my dog.
Merry Christmas to you all!
We should have been out of sight at half time courtesy of some excellent and at times patient football yet the score was only 1-0. The goal came from another good move down the left which was bobbled in by the supporting full back John Boyle following a Gavin 'dummy' or complete miskick from 5 yards. Take your pick! Gerry and Chris Cox deserve special mention for some sensible defensive work in the wide midfield positions, always tucking in to assist the excellent central pairing of Chris and Good Dave. Jamie sustained an early injury and replaced Dave in goal, ( who had made a good save from their only shot on goal before he took up his puffing and panting position at full back). Jamie had little to do but control a savage Tony backpass but his distribution was so good. Other keepers take note.
Second half started scrappily as the game became too stretched. Part of the fault lay with everyone being a little cavalier going forward and not having the puff to get back. Seemingly this tactic was known as 'doing a chairman'. There were lots of chairpersons that second half.
A little controversy as Gavin was cavorting to the by line he appeared to slip over his own shadow, the sun had actually appeared, and his penalty claims were turned down. I gave the full back a bit of the benefit and the sun was in my eyes and I wasn't well placed. The reward for having a geriatric referee. Worse was to follow when the benign Andy lost his blob after a robust tackle on the penalty spot from their usually gentlemanly though robotic centre half. I genuinely thought he went for the ball and a collision occurred due to Andy's speed. No penalty and a limping Andy followed. He was not deterred as time and again he outpaced their defence only to be denied in his final efforts.
The second goal was overdue. Oh here it comes. An immaculate Dave throw in, hands from behind the head, feet planted on the turf, travelled unerringly to Andy, some 6 yards away. Brilliant! Andy swivelled and hit an inviting cross into the area where Gavin racing away from goal retrieved the ball and had the simple task of turning on a sixpence and lashing a whizzbanger across the goal into the far corner. Much better than a penalty.
A third followed from Good Dave as he careered into the area and lashed in an unstoppable one.
Mark Mills played a sensible game for them and was not, by prior agreement, tackled by any of us since he wanted to enjoy a pain free Christmas. Unless you count a body check by, yes of course, Naughty Dave, or was he too knackered to get out of the way.
Brendan did not show so missed a certain 90 minutes, he went to a local gym where the showers were hot to prepare for next week's big game. Joel did not show?
A handful of us joined a handful of them in the Lytton for a merry repast. Alistair must have chewed his way through 8 drumsticks. There was one left for my dog.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Old Owens 5 Knobs 5
Phew! and Hmmmm!
Nice pitch.
Brendan, who had withdrawn from a golf tournament because we were short, was not well pleased to find himself on the bench with old Ron, as we had 13, including a mate of Darren's. My view is if a stranger is asked to come along and play because he is told we are short, he has to play from the start. If we have 13 and he is made sub. , albeit a roll off and on sub., that is not on. Anyway Brendan soon joined the fray when Twiggy succumbed to an ankle injury and settled in to have a good second half- and he bought me a pint afterwards. A couple of near goals early on promised much and yes we soon went ahead when Dave headed home emphatically from a corner. Soon afterwards Ali J burst forward and guided a beauty into the bottom corner, outside of the foot from outside of the area. A false dawn. For all the verve and promise going forward there was no complementary defensive grit. We looked too spread out and brittle. They did have a couple of decent, pacy blokes going forward but we contributed to our own woes by being far too stretched. Full backs and wide midfielders were staying rigidly wide so that there was an enormous corridor through the middle. As a result Chris and Darren in midfield were outnumbered and were never really getting to grips with the hordes pouring through. My understanding is you should defend narrow and attack with width, I've said it enough times. Congest the most sensitive area- best let them have possession out wide rather give them open house in the middle. Anyway they scored a good goal for them. It should never have got to their bloke mind, but a 50 yard hoik forward was pursued, controlled and smashed unstoppably high into the net. The second was one out of last week's catalogue of errors- lack of putting a body in where it might hurt, or conceivably where it might contribute towards gaining a touch on the ball. Three or four at fault here all waiting for each other to take charge. We were still having joy going forward but no luck especially when a dubious home flag prevented a goal from Jamie, who had run clear and lobbed the keeper. They added a fourth before half time when their winger was allowed to put in a cross which sailed into the net via the far post. Flukey!
Alistair went centre half, replacing debutant Darren who was playing the first half in his stocking feet. Ron came on. (Not bad should have scored three ended up with one. I will treasure the memory. Mind it is hard when you haven't been involved for such a long time!) Excuses excuses!
They scored a scrappy 5th , we're fucked perhaps, 5-2 is a bit of a gap. But in the last half hour they faded and we grew strong and really we were making, missing and taking some chances. A Gavin corner was badly headed over by a rusty Ron , it travelled a mile and nearly broke his head. The next corner Owens were not so lucky as the oldest Knob ever to score headed hard and low to convert another excellent Gavin corner. 5-3. Gavin was now running wild and would inevitably score in time. Ali J was rampant and Chris and Darren were winning everything in midfield. Gavin scorched through for a 4th then after a bit of a Dave 'tackle' generously considered fair by the ref the ball was launched toward Gavin who raced in from the right, scoring from a narrow angle 5-5!. Gavin was thwarted yet still managed to get a square ball to Ron who skied from the penalty spot- take a touch you prat!
Unlucky to only draw in the end but we'll get it right on more occasions than we get it wrong.
Next week Ashwell at home when we face mercurial Mark Mills and the following week we play against John Boyle's All Stars when those available will be able to line up and exchange incomparable badinage and bon mots with John aka Beaky himself!
Nice pitch.
Brendan, who had withdrawn from a golf tournament because we were short, was not well pleased to find himself on the bench with old Ron, as we had 13, including a mate of Darren's. My view is if a stranger is asked to come along and play because he is told we are short, he has to play from the start. If we have 13 and he is made sub. , albeit a roll off and on sub., that is not on. Anyway Brendan soon joined the fray when Twiggy succumbed to an ankle injury and settled in to have a good second half- and he bought me a pint afterwards. A couple of near goals early on promised much and yes we soon went ahead when Dave headed home emphatically from a corner. Soon afterwards Ali J burst forward and guided a beauty into the bottom corner, outside of the foot from outside of the area. A false dawn. For all the verve and promise going forward there was no complementary defensive grit. We looked too spread out and brittle. They did have a couple of decent, pacy blokes going forward but we contributed to our own woes by being far too stretched. Full backs and wide midfielders were staying rigidly wide so that there was an enormous corridor through the middle. As a result Chris and Darren in midfield were outnumbered and were never really getting to grips with the hordes pouring through. My understanding is you should defend narrow and attack with width, I've said it enough times. Congest the most sensitive area- best let them have possession out wide rather give them open house in the middle. Anyway they scored a good goal for them. It should never have got to their bloke mind, but a 50 yard hoik forward was pursued, controlled and smashed unstoppably high into the net. The second was one out of last week's catalogue of errors- lack of putting a body in where it might hurt, or conceivably where it might contribute towards gaining a touch on the ball. Three or four at fault here all waiting for each other to take charge. We were still having joy going forward but no luck especially when a dubious home flag prevented a goal from Jamie, who had run clear and lobbed the keeper. They added a fourth before half time when their winger was allowed to put in a cross which sailed into the net via the far post. Flukey!
Alistair went centre half, replacing debutant Darren who was playing the first half in his stocking feet. Ron came on. (Not bad should have scored three ended up with one. I will treasure the memory. Mind it is hard when you haven't been involved for such a long time!) Excuses excuses!
They scored a scrappy 5th , we're fucked perhaps, 5-2 is a bit of a gap. But in the last half hour they faded and we grew strong and really we were making, missing and taking some chances. A Gavin corner was badly headed over by a rusty Ron , it travelled a mile and nearly broke his head. The next corner Owens were not so lucky as the oldest Knob ever to score headed hard and low to convert another excellent Gavin corner. 5-3. Gavin was now running wild and would inevitably score in time. Ali J was rampant and Chris and Darren were winning everything in midfield. Gavin scorched through for a 4th then after a bit of a Dave 'tackle' generously considered fair by the ref the ball was launched toward Gavin who raced in from the right, scoring from a narrow angle 5-5!. Gavin was thwarted yet still managed to get a square ball to Ron who skied from the penalty spot- take a touch you prat!
Unlucky to only draw in the end but we'll get it right on more occasions than we get it wrong.
Next week Ashwell at home when we face mercurial Mark Mills and the following week we play against John Boyle's All Stars when those available will be able to line up and exchange incomparable badinage and bon mots with John aka Beaky himself!
Monday, 10 December 2012
Goldings 4 Knobs 3
Rural tranquillity, Bramfield. Sunny and cold, tiny pitch.
Crappiest of all "changing rooms", all together in a cupboard, so tight we were changing each other. Ooh nice, touch me there again Dave sort of coziness. It didn't augur well with the entrance floor being covered by a broken glass bottle. Noone seemed to care. Two open plan showers in the corner doubled as a toilet well they did for Trevor.
Struggled to get a side out, so two outsiders Dave Fish and Tony's mate Richard deputised.
We attacked first and Gavin was thwarted from a narrow angle. Then they attacked , not particularly threatening or creative just lumping forward and pushing and shoving but trouble was we never looked like having a defence against it. We were woeful, nah we were absolute shite. Allowed ourselves to be bullied and intimated so much so that three of the goals came from the most pathetic of challenges inside our six yard box. Re phrase that, no challenges in the six yard box.
It was discussed in the conviviality of the salubrious pub opposite afterwards. All seem to acknowledge collective blame and yes as a group we were non existent in that dreadful first half. But in this mess individual lack of commitment stood out. Brendan was at fault for the first for not simply conceding a corner as the bloke behind him sneaked ahead and toe poked past the line bound Trevor. Dave looked as if he was never gonna get near anyone to commit some of his morale sapping fouls and tackles and an easy bit of play, unchallenged saw them score from a shit cross from his side for the second. Unchallenged, unchallenged and unchallenged! After you Claud, you score. The third saw a ball wickedly bounce over Tony's head in the six yard box. His warning of "over me" was not supposed to be an invitation to sexual liaison but a warning to those behind to defend. Again no challenge, ball netted from a few inches.
The 4th goal was just the opening of the floodgates. 4-0. We were coping better with Mr Fish at centre back, Brendan at left back and Dave left midfield but could we get a bit of energy into the play and a bit of commitment instead the tentative passivity that was the first half story.
Everyone knew that as individuals and even as a team force we were far better than that. Second half everyone showed it. Except for a couple of breakaways from which they missed they weren't in it thanks to tackling, challenging, RUNNING and the occasional foul or three. The reward was three goals all from Gavin. The first, he outran the back for and slid it in before the keeper could get there. The keeper was favourite but Gavin was quick and committed. The second was a Gavin penalty after he, himself, had been scythed down. The third, from a deflected free kick, from one of the many freekicks they started conceding from shooting range. Ian slid Gavin in for what would have been an equaliser but a controversial flag thwarted him. Much mirth from their massed ranks on the line. wasn't even marginal. Our 4th was not to come.
John Twigg in at left back for Brendan was tackling and putting his body on the line like a man possessed. Dave was involved in everything on the left tackling, bumping, boring and stirring up passions. This was really really better. Nothing pretty but it was a competition for supremacy which the first half certainly wasn't.
Well done and in the end unlucky!
Noone felt like a journey into Hertford and all were disappearing to respective abodes when Tony emerged from the adjacent restaurant-pub and announced they were letting riff raff in. So we gathered together and went in. Very nice, clean and sparkling with quoffable ale. Goodnight Vienna!
Crappiest of all "changing rooms", all together in a cupboard, so tight we were changing each other. Ooh nice, touch me there again Dave sort of coziness. It didn't augur well with the entrance floor being covered by a broken glass bottle. Noone seemed to care. Two open plan showers in the corner doubled as a toilet well they did for Trevor.
Struggled to get a side out, so two outsiders Dave Fish and Tony's mate Richard deputised.
We attacked first and Gavin was thwarted from a narrow angle. Then they attacked , not particularly threatening or creative just lumping forward and pushing and shoving but trouble was we never looked like having a defence against it. We were woeful, nah we were absolute shite. Allowed ourselves to be bullied and intimated so much so that three of the goals came from the most pathetic of challenges inside our six yard box. Re phrase that, no challenges in the six yard box.
It was discussed in the conviviality of the salubrious pub opposite afterwards. All seem to acknowledge collective blame and yes as a group we were non existent in that dreadful first half. But in this mess individual lack of commitment stood out. Brendan was at fault for the first for not simply conceding a corner as the bloke behind him sneaked ahead and toe poked past the line bound Trevor. Dave looked as if he was never gonna get near anyone to commit some of his morale sapping fouls and tackles and an easy bit of play, unchallenged saw them score from a shit cross from his side for the second. Unchallenged, unchallenged and unchallenged! After you Claud, you score. The third saw a ball wickedly bounce over Tony's head in the six yard box. His warning of "over me" was not supposed to be an invitation to sexual liaison but a warning to those behind to defend. Again no challenge, ball netted from a few inches.
The 4th goal was just the opening of the floodgates. 4-0. We were coping better with Mr Fish at centre back, Brendan at left back and Dave left midfield but could we get a bit of energy into the play and a bit of commitment instead the tentative passivity that was the first half story.
Everyone knew that as individuals and even as a team force we were far better than that. Second half everyone showed it. Except for a couple of breakaways from which they missed they weren't in it thanks to tackling, challenging, RUNNING and the occasional foul or three. The reward was three goals all from Gavin. The first, he outran the back for and slid it in before the keeper could get there. The keeper was favourite but Gavin was quick and committed. The second was a Gavin penalty after he, himself, had been scythed down. The third, from a deflected free kick, from one of the many freekicks they started conceding from shooting range. Ian slid Gavin in for what would have been an equaliser but a controversial flag thwarted him. Much mirth from their massed ranks on the line. wasn't even marginal. Our 4th was not to come.
John Twigg in at left back for Brendan was tackling and putting his body on the line like a man possessed. Dave was involved in everything on the left tackling, bumping, boring and stirring up passions. This was really really better. Nothing pretty but it was a competition for supremacy which the first half certainly wasn't.
Well done and in the end unlucky!
Noone felt like a journey into Hertford and all were disappearing to respective abodes when Tony emerged from the adjacent restaurant-pub and announced they were letting riff raff in. So we gathered together and went in. Very nice, clean and sparkling with quoffable ale. Goodnight Vienna!
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