Saturday 4 September 2021
Knebworth 0 – 3 Hertford United – Aubrey Cup
The game started really scruffy with both teams struggling to find any real rhythm, the first half saw few chances for both teams.
As the game settled Knebworth were finding joy with the switch of play and we created a brilliant chance, Joe Swadling finding himself free on the right to play a brilliant cross into the box where Jimmy Agnew was free at the back post for only the Hertford keeper to pull off a fine save.
The game become a bit stretched in the last 25 mins with Hertford always a threat on the counter especially from Knebworth set pieces. The first half finished 0-0 which was a fair reflection of the first half.
The second half started as the first finished, Knebworth pushing forward but Hertford being dangerous on the counter, but again no real big chances from either side. The game looked to be heading for extra time until a ball into the Knebworth box caused some confusion and the impressive Kieran Fordham in goal looked to be under pressure and fouled as he took the cross failed to gather it and it fell perfectly for Hertford’s striker to pass into the empty net.
This rattled the Knebworth lads and for the next 15 mins they failed to put any real pressure on Hertford who in fairness looked dangerous on the counter as Knebworth looked for an equaliser.
Unfortunately this didn’t happen and again a ball cleared out from the back by Hertford caught our midfield cold, a sliced clearance fell nicely for the Hertford winger to play a ball into the Knebworth box for an unmarked striker to score.
With ten minutes to go this was game over but to be fair to Knebworth they kept on playing and showed a good attitude and looked to of scored what they thought was a good goal to be wiped off by Hertford’s assistant referee for a foul on the keeper.
There was also still time for a great chance for Swadling who found himself free again bearing down on goal for the Hertford keeper to pull off a good save again.
Congratulations to Hertford and good luck in the next round.
A game of missed big chances for the Ks who must learn to take their chances, but really positive from Knebworth and back to league action next week at Aldenham.
Raja Tandoori man of the match: Jack Holmes
Hemel Hempstead Rovers Reserves 3 – 0 Knebworth Reserves
Reserves skipper Matt Cooper reports
After three wins out of three to start the season, Knebworth travelled away to Hemel Hempstead to face a Rovers side who had won one and lost one to start the season.
With unavailability and a few injuries, the Reserves had a slightly different looking XI but it didn’t stop them for starting the game well, keeping the ball and creating a number of good chances. The pitch was a real leveller with incredibly long grass and uneven bounces everywhere.
It was a quickfire double from the hosts that took the wind out of Knebworth’s sails, with a 40 yard cross turned shot that fortunately found the top corner, followed by a deflected finish from a corner.
Knebworth continued to create chances without taking them and were unlucky not to go in to half time 2-1 down after Liam George’s shot was incorrectly ruled as not going over the line.
The second half was another frustrating affair for the Reserves as chances went begging again. The hosts scored a late third on the break as the Ks pushed for a comeback.
The game ended 3-0 to a very physical Hemel who will cause a lot of problems to teams in this league at their home ground. Next week, Knebworth host Bushey as we look to get back on track.
Extrastaff man of the match: Liam George
Knebworth FC 