Knebworth shared the derby spoils in a six-goal thriller at The Rec.
Asher Smith reports… Knebworth Seniors 3, Welwyn United 3 – 26/10/2024
Saturday’s match pitted two teams against each other close in the league, so a big opportunity for Knebworth to secure three points.
Unfortunately, they did not start well and Welwyn took the lead in the first 20 minutes. Knebworth managed to get momentum in the game and with some wonderful build-up play, levelled with a beautiful chip on the edge of the area from Billy Mulley, assisted by Alex Parker. The half ended one goal apiece.
Celebrating Billy Mulley’s equaliser
Coming into the second half there was real optimism and belief that Knebworth could add to their goal tally. The hosts took the lead after sustained pressure saw Taylor Dingley play in Alex Parker on the edge of the area and his low driven shot found the bottom corner of the goal. Unfortunately, Welwyn were back on level terms shortly afterwards when an unlucky deflection lead to a well taken finish for 2-2.
Celebrating Alex Parker’s coolly taken goal
Time was running out but Knebworth’s persistence and a terrific attacking dribble from Matt Harwood resulted in winning a free kick within striking range which Will Oram duly dispatched.
Celebrating Will Oram’s free kick goal
But the local derby had one final twist as Welwyn came back again once more, delivering a goal from a corner to snatch a share of the points.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Jack Holmes – image courtesy of Alan Sleator, Wonderful PR
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.
Knebworth FC 