A dazed LMB were handed their balls on a plate by Division One Champions The Knights FC, who were lively, incisive and extremely well organised. Although they saw quite a bit of possession in the early stages, with Sicky, Rowan and Griffiths making dynamic runs, LMB couldn’t fashion any chances as The Knights marshalled their backline well, while vocal communication appeared to be at a minimum. Eventually the flood gates opened and The Knights struck to race to a 3-0 lead, pouncing on poor passes and half-hearted defending with some speedy counter-attacks. Rowan played a one-two with Sicky to smash home a reply into the far corner, but for the rest of the half LMB were chasing shadows as The Knights soaked up the pressure (aided by their keeper who made some smart low saves to deny Crozier, Sicky and Patto) to lead 6-1 at half time.
Despite once again seeing quite a bit of the ball, LMB struggled to generate chances against a compact defence in the second half, and were left frustrated and exposed time and again on the counter-attack. By the end of the game The Knights were shooting and scoring from anywhere with every attack as LMB demonstrated some shambolic defending, with a general failure to track men, get a foot in or attempt even half-arsed saves as people just gave up (the zombie hand did not perform to its usual standards). LMB hit three consolation goals throughout the second half, with Sicky setting up Crozier after a rare passage of slick play, while Patto played a one-two with Man of the Match Chibbert who finished from a tight angle on the left. Patto grabbed LMB’s fourth from distance after pouncing on a rare mislaid pass from the opposing keeper. Griffiths, Rowan and the returning Lloyd were denied on several occasions by their in-form keeper as The Knights ended with a huge margin that goes down as LMB’s worst defeat since November 2009.
Although we weren’t to know this before the match, The Knights easily won Division One last season and only lost once, so they clearly know how to play and they should be the best team we face this season! Nevertheless, the scoreline could and should have been closer, and quite a few people just let their heads drop and by the end it was a little embarrassing as we offered absolutely no resistance to their attacks, which just wound up those that were genuinely trying to compete and keep the score sensible.
