Category: Adult teams

Penalty shootout heartbreak for Knebworth away to AFC Evergreen in the Hertfordshire County Cup.

AFC Evergreen 2, Knebworth 2 – Evergreen won on penalties – 11/10/2025

Asher Smith reports…

In today’s match we witnessed two teams going in search of a place in the next round of the County Cup, only one winner could be had.

In the first half Knebworth struggled to come to terms with a poor playing surface, and control of possession was a challenge, but still created some chances, with a shot from Alex Parker coming off the cross bar and goal mouth scramble before hand.

The hosts scored the first, with a fortunate scruffy shot which dribbled underneath the keeper into the bottom corner after the 35th minute; 1-0.

After some conversations at halftime, the intensity increased and we witnessed a bit more tempo and aggression from Knebworth and quickly after 55 minutes Sim Vilakati scored the equaliser after great cross from Malachi Miles, physicality and persistence got him through; 1-1.

Substitutions came and a real tug for possession for both teams but no joy until the latter stages.

A lovely passing move allowed Alex Parker to get a chance on the edge of the box for a deflected shot into the corner which put Knebworth in the lead with a couple minutes to spare.

But then a lack of concentration and some fortune for the hosts, an equaliser came with what would be the last kick of the 90 minutes.

Penalties followed with some great saves, some dismal penalties and a retake made it a chaotic penalty shoot out. In the end Evergreen came out on top with the winning kick for 7-6 to end Knebworth’s run in the County Cup.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Paul Clarke

It’s back to league action next Saturday, 18 October 2025, with a trip to second-place Norsemen; kick off is 13:30. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: not another penalty shootout!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth secured their place in the next round of the Cecil Hudson Cup via a 2-1 victory at home to St Margaretsbury Reserves.

Knebworth 2, St Margaretsbury Reserves 1 – 04/10/2025

Billy Mulley reports…

In very windy conditions, it was quite a sloppy first half, despite there being some decent passages of play.

The opposition opened the scoring 30 minutes in when Knebworth failed to react quickly enough to a short corner and the ball was headed in from close range.

Needing to up it in the second half, and the introduction of Tyler Pullin, enabled Knebworth to dominate large periods of the second half.

Reece Leen levelled the game with 20 minutes left to play, with it being Pullin’s through ball that was smashed home by the Knebworth striker emphatically.

Leen went on to set up the eventual winner a few minutes from the final whistle when he stepped up to press and won possession back on the edge of the opposition’s box. He put it on a plate for Billy Mulley to find the bottom corner from just outside the area.

The Ks saw out what remained of the game very well to progress into the next round of the cup!

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Reece Leen

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks are in cup action again next Saturday, 11 October 2025, with a trip to Evergreen in the County Cup; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: what a thriller!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Down to 10 men for much of the match, Knebworth held league leaders Old Minchendians to an entertaining 2-2 draw at The Rec on Saturday.

Knebworth 2, Old Minchendenians 2 – 27/09/2025

Billy Mulley reports…

The hosts came out of the blocks quickly and whilst chances were limited for both sides, Knebworth managed to get in behind and cause a few concerns for the opposition.

The game took quite a dramatic turn in the 35th minute when James Ellis picked up a second yellow for a late tackle. A few moments later, Old Minchendenians opened the scoring via a rocket from 25 yards out.

A change of shape and personnel at half-time saw Knebworth sit a little bit deeper during the early stages of the second half, but with there being an emphasis on breaking forward quickly.

Malachi Miles restored parity just 5 minutes into the second half, heading in from Will Oram’s in-swinging corner.

Showing plenty of resilience but still managing to create a few chances, it was the K’s who would go 2-1 up on 72 minutes, with Matty Harwood’s low cross being turned in by a defender.

The visitors responded quickly and the game was back level with 15 minutes to go, following a tap-in at the back post from a deep free kick.

The Ks very nearly snatched all three points late on as first Richard Ashie went close with a thumping header and then Tyler Pullin drew an incredible reactionary save from the opposition goalkeeper in what possibly could have been one of the best saves that The Rec has ever witnessed.

The sound of the final whistle ensured a first point of the new campaign and will provide the lads with a wealth of confidence going into Saturday’s cup fixture at home to St Margaretsbury Reserves.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Malachi Miles

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks are at home again on Saturday 4 October 2025 with St Margaretsbury Reserves the visitors in the Cecil Hudson Cup; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: maybe we should play with ten every week! We deserved to win that.

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

A calamitous first half lead to Elizabeth Allen claiming all three points at The Rec.

Knebworth 2, Elizabeth Allen Old Boys 5 – 20/09/2025

Asher Smith reports…

Knebworth started strongly with some attacking presence early on but began to play within themselves and the away side quickly took advantage of it.

Some costly errors at the back gave Elizabeth Allen, a 4-0 lead going in at half time.

In the second half, with some changes made, Knebworth improved and a barrage of chances soon followed. A penalty on the hour mark, after Sim Vilakati was tripped, by Reece Leen got past the keeper to reduce the deficit; 4-1.

Unfortunately however mistakes in the defence came back to haunt the Ks and miscommunication allowed the opposition attacker to get through on goal for a tap in; 5-1.

Knebworth battled back and a strong debut cameo from Charlie Pratt earned himself a penalty for Knebworth which Reece Leen this time dispatched with no doubt; 5-2.

Knebworth pushed and pushed for more goals but the damage was already done in the first half. Lessons learnt but early in the season and an opportunity to bounce back next week against Old Minchendenians.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Sim Vilakati for a solid attacking display and work rate to win the ball back for his team.

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks are at home again on Saturday 27 September 2025 with Old Minchendenians the visitors; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: panto season started early!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the photos.

Knebworth claimed their spot in the second round of the County Cup via a penalty shootout on Saturday afternoon, with the hosts failing to capitalise on a dominant performance in 90 minutes.

Knebworth 1, Sarratt Reserves 1; Knebworth won 4-3 on penalties – 13/09/2025

Billy Mulley reports…

With the heavens opening half an hour before kick-off, and with the thunder and lightning following, kick-off was delayed 20 minutes.

However, that did not hinder the hosts, who were fast out of the traps, with Matty Harwood being a particular threat at right wing and Tyler Pullin proving to be very effective in the 10 on his first competitive start.

Knebworth deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute when Harwood’s cross was swept in emphatically by Pullin.

It was more of the same as the rest of the half played, with the Ks controlling the game and getting into some promising positions, without testing the Sarratt goalkeeper frequently enough.

The lead was nearly doubled around the 35th minute when Pullin’s floated corner was met by a Will Oram header, with the Knebworth captain’s effort crashing the bar and somehow staying out.

The start of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Knebworth getting into advanced areas of the pitch on a consistent basis, but being unable to test the goalkeeper enough.

Sarratt started to push for an equaliser in the latter stages as the game became slightly more chaotic and they managed to level following a well-placed cross and a strike back across goal, with the visitors punishing a couple of defensive errors.

The sound of the full-time whistle meant that it was straight to penalties, where Knebworth would go on to win 4-3. Ross Field made a strong save in the process and it was Oram who scored the winning penalty.

Raja Tandoori player of match: Ross Field

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks host their second league game of the season on Saturday 20 September 2025 with Elizabeth Allen the visitors; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: we made jolly hard work of that!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the photos.