Author: knebfc

Adult teams, First team

Seniors: Saturday 28 September 2024 – Ten-Goal Thriller

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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.

Adult teams, First team

Seniors: Saturday 7 September 2024 – opening day win

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Knebworth overcame a tough opening-day challenge to return from Chipperfield with all three points after two late goals.

Asher Smith reports from Chipperfield…
Chipperfield Corinthians Reserves 0 v 2 Knebworth Seniors – 07/09/2024

A tough challenge for our first league match of the season. A resolute, defensive first half gave us a strong foundation to build upon with chances for both sides but the game was goalless at the break.

The second half began with Chipperfield fast out the blocks with a lot of attacking pressure but, Knebworth held firm and started to create some chances of our own. With 20 or so minutes to go the Ks created a well constructed attack with Billy in a makeshift wing back position getting forward on the last man and played through by Will. Billy’s composed finish past the keeper into the bottom corner broke the deadlock.

With five minutes or so left to play Chipperfield were throwing players forward to try and get the leveller but Knebworth’s defence was strong once again. A swift counter attack led to Taylor finding Jamie M in the centre of the park 20 yards out with only one thing on his mind: a scorcher with no chance for the keeper in the top left corner. Knebworth saw out the game for a solid 2-0 win away from home and recorded the division’s only away win of the day.

Main Door Security player of match: Will Oram

View from the terraces…
“Chipperfield’s supporters were commenting on what a good game it was but that it has nil-nil written all over it. I looked round to agree and as I looked back, Billy shot into the net from about 10 yards out – shame I missed the build up play!” PP

“Into stoppage time and old pro Marcus was on the pitch and heading with the ball to the corner flag to see the game out. For some reason he then changed course towards the area and the ball was laid across the edge of the area, one more pass to Billy on the overlap would have perhaps seem him clean through, instead it was passed back to Jamie who hit it from just outside the area into the roof of the net: game over!” PP

Squad from left to right – back row: Ben Manning, Billy Mulley, James Moore, Joe Smith, Alex Parker, Michael Stone, Will Oram, Luke Hewitt. Front row: Jamie Morley, Taylor Dingley, Ernie Greengrass, Malahi Miles, Asher Smith. Not in the photo: Marcus McKechnie.

Youth teams

FA’s Silent Support Weekend: 5 & 6 November 2022

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Knebworth Football Club is participating in The FA’s Silent Support Weekend by encouraging our coaches and supporters to let the football do the talking.

We want our members to play with more freedom, and our young referees to develop, in a safe and calm environment.

We’re encouraging spectators and coaches to show their support during the match through applause only. 

This will reduce pressure and confusion and give players a better opportunity to find their own voice and develop their game.

What to do at the Silent Weekend?
• Allow players to make mistakes
• Allow players to make their own decisions
• Applaud good play and effort from both teams

What are the benefits of the Silent Weekend?
• Players can concentrate on the game and not be distracted from the touchline
• Players develop independent learning and decision-making
• Coaches can assess the teams’ communication skills

Join us on the 5 & 6 November 2022 and find out what happens when we turn the volume down for the players on the pitch.

Adult teams, First team, Reserve team

Saturday 28 August 2021 – First Team & Reserves

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Knebworth 2, Bovingdon Reserves 1

Tristan Potkins reports…

Last Saturday the First Team welcomed Bovingdon Reserves to The Rec for an earlier 2pm kick off. With Adrian away on a romantic bank holiday trip, it was left to Ryan Stapleton to make the tough decisions. Ethan Parker & Max Smith both made their first home starts of the season.

The game started fairly even, Bovingdon looking for the tidy no.9 with the switch of play from right to left their main outlet. Knebworth were initially quite hesitant to show for the ball, but just edged the early proceeding as they would go on to for the duration of the first half performance. Unfortunately though, a decent high press to a short goal kick combined with a bit of hesitancy at the back meant the visitors went in 1-0 up, with their only real look in on goal.

Half time was important as it gave Knebworth a chance to address some frustrations and call for patience and composure before going downhill second half. One thing that can’t be a questioned is the young team’s passion, (Tristan Potkins the oldest Ks player at 26!) but learning to channel it positively will take us a long way. 

The second half was dominated by Knebworth. Joe Swadling got the equaliser with an exquisite far post curling finish, after Sam Nelson was introduced causing trouble down the wing. Alfie Nellis also came into the game to make his First Team debut, with Knebworth looking to stay tight with only a portion of the game to play. Ethan didn’t read that script, and a bit of a messy goal that I’m sure he’s claiming was enough to steal it and get our first 3 points on the board!

At home in the cup next before tough league games against Hertford United & Aldenham. Momentum being the buzzword.

Raja Tandoori man of the match is Myles Thomas, who even after a week on holiday looks to be a mountain of a man this season.

Myles Thomas in action

Knebworth Reserves 4, Chipperfield Corinthians Development 1

Matt Garrod reports…

The Reserves went in to the match with two convincing victories in the bag.

It was a cagey opening 15 minutes with the sides probing each other, until the point when Knebworth’s midfield started to pull the strings and a smart pass found the Knebworth youth product Kai Hutchinson who cut in and found the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the hosts. Chipperfield were knocking on the door and a couple of fine saves by Ben Phillips in goal kept Knebworth in front.

With Knebworth in control, an unfortunate lapse in concentration at the back saw Chipperfield break and a perfect cross found the striker with a free header in the six yard box to make it 1-1 with 5 minutes of the half left. The immediate response from Knebworth was fantastic. A break down the right saw the ball beautifully cut back for Harry Wilkinson who smartly finished to send Knebworth deservingly into the break 2-1 up.

Half time change for Knebworth saw Adam Pope replace Ben Wheeler, which almost proved to be a goal scoring change. Knebworth broke down the left, with the ball coming in across the face of the six-yard box for Pope to arrive late at the back post and see his attempt drift just wide of the post; the warning shot had been fired.

Knebworth’s midfield had got a hold of the game at this point and it was only a matter of time before the third goal came for Knebworth. Another attack down the left and a cross finding Pope who cut on to his left foot and found the bottom corner to make it 3-1 Knebworth.

One final change for Knebworth saw Wheeler back on to replace Harry Wilkinson, who put a great shift in for the team. Chipperfield came close with a long distance set play that nearly caught Ben Phillips out, when a strike hit the outside of the post. The game was rounded off with a lovely move in the midfield and a through ball for Wheeler to run on to, the cool forward kept his nerve as the Chipperfield keeper raced out only for Wheeler to calmly dink the ball over the keeper.

Three wins out of three for the Reserves sees them sitting top of the table.

Stevenage Couriers man of the match: Kai Hutchinson

Uncategorized

Non-League Paper – 25/26 September 2021

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Article supplied by The Non-League Paper

THE WARNING from the Kent FA on the fall in numbers of match officials for grassroots fixtures makes for worrying reading. Put simply, without referees, the football system cannot function properly.

By David Richardson

In an open letter to clubs, the county FA’s referee development officer Nick Dunn explained the issues they, and many other county associations, seem to be facing in grassroots football.

He said: “We closed the 2020-2021 season with over 1,634 match officials affiliated; the most we have ever received. Ensuring transparency, at this present time of the 2021-2022 season we have 1,247 affiliated match officials, representing almost a 24 per cent loss.

“To put this loss into footballing terms, if each of those 400 referees lost were to referee approximately 20 games a season it results in approximately 8,000 matches being played without a referee.”

Dunn says the matches under their control without a referee are at an all-time high. Not only does this not help the grassroots game, but it makes the development of referees and the progression through the system tougher.

At The NLP, we’ve experienced first-hand the good work the FA are putting in to encourage the development of referees, and therefore retain them. But it’s always going to be hard to keep filling the tank when they are subjected to some of the abuse we see all too often.

Dunn points out that the conduct and behaviour of a minority of participants is not the sole reason for the drop-off, but he believes it is a fundamental one.

Where are we as a society and sport if a match official can’t turn up on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning without fear of what might happen should they dare make a decision somebody doesn’t agree with?

Remember, it might not just come from a player. But spectators or parents overstepping the mark, managers and coaches failing to conduct themselves as they should.

Football is a passionate game. Nobody wants to take that out of it. But there is a very clear line that shouldn’t be crossed. And passion isn’t a good enough reason for losing control over a game of football – something everyone is supposed to be involved in because they enjoy it.

Verbal threats, physical attacks, abusive comments on social media after the game – yes, it’s a minority but it’s far too much.

Often culprits will be handed fines and suspensions. The authorities can only do what they can do, individuals have to take responsibility.

But the game as a whole must also pull together to stamp it out. Clubs must hand out their own individual punishments to the people associated to them who go too far.

Often, this concerns adults going over board at kids football. That’s even more worrying when a parent can’t control their reactions. We’d like to think they would realise the impact it has on their own child’s enjoyment.

The majority of people get involved as a match official because they enjoy the game too. No wonder some are choosing to walk away. Let’s put on a united front to keep them safe – and in the game.