Knebworth on the wrong end of a ten-goal thriller at The Rec.
Paul Clarke reports…
Knebworth Seniors 4, Hinton Reserves 6 – 28/09/2024
It was a return to The Rec as Knebworth hosted Hinton Reserves, who were both sitting on three points. Hinton came out of the traps quickly and passed the ball with purpose. From an early corner, poor marking in the area allowed the visitors to take the lead as a shot squirmed past goalkeeper Harry Crews and rolled agonisingly over the line. Soon after, it was two, as the striker managed to find space between two defenders and his snapshot took a deflection and nestled into the corner of the net. There were a few more close scrapes for Knebworth before they began to get a foothold in the game and push Hinton back. Mulley’s pace and direct nature was causing havoc for the Hinton centre halves, as he twisted them inside out. It was he who stepped up and curled a pinpoint free kick high into the net, past the despairing dive of the giant goalkeeper to pull one back ten minutes before half time after Reece Leen had been clumsily fouled. It probably should have been 2-2 when a half-hearted offside flag from Hinton was ignored by the referee and Mulley attempted a lob which sailed over, when he possibly had more time to pick his spot.
Hinton started the second half very well and again Knebworth failed to keep their concentration and the score was quickly 4-1. One of the goals was an impressive curled effort from the edge of the area. Knebworth showed some resilience and kept fighting and were rewarded when Leen powered a low strike into the corner of the net. Hinton made it five when a corner was swung in and there appeared to be foul on the keeper, which allowed a free header at the back stick.
Leen scored another goal, this time from the penalty spot after an unnecessary barge from the Hinton centre half. Hinton put the game beyond any doubt, as their forward who had only come on at half time sealed his hat-trick with an instinctive finish from close range. Hinton were convinced a penalty should have been awarded when their striker was bundled over but the referee was unmoved. There was still time for Mulley to add his second, as he finished a good team move to smash the ball low into the corner. Some real positives for Knebworth in terms of their decision making and finishing when attacking but plenty to work on in terms of their defending as a team and concentration levels at the start of both halves.
The Ks are next at home on 26 October for a local derby with Welwyn United; kick off is 14:00.
Knebworth FC 