Club News

Knebworth hosted Sandridge Rovers in a ‘double header’ and secured four points in their push for promotion.

Knebworth 3, Sandridge Rovers Reserves 2
Sandridge Rovers Reserves 1, Knebworth 1

Former sports journalist Richard Ashie debuts on the Ks’ typewriter…

In what was the first double header of the 2025/2026 campaign, the Kneb were back on home turf against Sandridge Rovers Reserves hoping to bounce back after last week’s exit from the Cecil Hudson Cup.

With one eye on promotion and a thirst for a good performance, the Ks were energised by the no nonsense straight talking words of “don’t lose” from skipper Will Oram.

We came close to breaking the deadlock, three minutes into the game with good work on the left wing from Bill Mulley to find James ‘Bobby’ Moore whose close range effort fired straight at the Rovers goalkeeper.

With some good work from Reece Leen to cut inside, his deflected shot found the head of Sim Vilakati who hit the bar on seventh minute.

Despite languishing near the bottom of the table, Sandridge showed some real signs of promise and came very close on the 15th minute when they failed to convert from a close range header.

After continued pressure from Sandridge against the rallying cries to “wake up” from captain Oram, Knebworth found themselves a goal down after some defensive confusion and a failed looping clearance miraculously ended in the net which sent the visitors one goal to the good.

Knebworth’s equaliser came just before half time after some good work on the right from the Knebworth’s ‘Mr Reliable’ Malachi Miles who linked up well with Leen, who played a sublime weighted pass to Vilakati whose fine laced strike went in off the post to level the score before the interval.

With one eye on promotion, Knebworth started strong in the second half with a good effort outside the box from Callum Pickstock which just shaved wide.

Knebworth came close again with some great work on the left from Mulley who looked dangerous all game. After a teasing cross from Mulley, an Oram header found Moore who couldn’t miss from five yards make it 2-1 to the Ks.

Despite Knebworth pressure from a low driven cross from Leen flashing the face of the goal, things took a turn for the worst when the hosts failed to clear their lines from a Sandridge set piece which was converted to make it 2-2.

With minutes to go, and three points hanging in the balance, Knebworth responded well after a goalmouth scramble fell to James Ellis who converted to make it 3-2 to ensure Knebworth sealed all three points from the first game.

Second Game

Fresh off the win from first game, the Ks were hoping to learn from their mistakes in the first match to make it another win, however the Oranges succumbed to early pressure from the killer Sandridge ball over the top.

With both teams going for broke, Ks right back Callum Jack was deemed to have fouled the Sandridge forward in the box which led to Sandridge penalty. The visitors tucked it away to break the deadlock.

Knebworth’s response was strong with some good work from Mulley on the left and after 25 minutes a teasing Mulley cross fell to fresh-legged Alex Parker who reacted first to slot home the equaliser.

With Parker imposing himself on the game from midfield, and some good work from the Ks on the left wing, the home side came close with a Vilakati diving header which hit the post after six minutes.

Knebworth continued to mount pressure with Sandridge not being able to deal with Vilakati’s pace, who bore down on goal after a great through ball. With the goalkeeper in his sights, Vilakati was brought down with a clear foul which gave the referee no chance but to send the Sandridge defender off.

With Sandridge down to 10 men, Knebworth ploughed forward in an attempt to get ahead but were unable to penetrate the Sandridge defence.

Sandridge managed to hold on to make it honours even in the second game and so Knebworth collected four points from a possible six.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Callum Pickstock

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks travel to Elizabeth Allen Old Boys (Old Owens Sports Club, Coopers Lane, Northaw EN6 4NE) next Saturday, 14 March 2026, in the league; kicking off at 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Four points are better than none!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth made it three league wins on the spin to maintain their promotion credentials.

Knebworth 3, Redbourn Rovers 0

Lucas Squirrell returns from his travels to write…

After two impressive back-to-back league results, Knebworth returned to the Rec to face Redbourn Rovers, looking to extend their run to three wins in a row and further improve their goal difference.

The game started quickly, with some neat attacking play from Knebworth forcing a strong early save from the Redbourn goalkeeper. A corner swung in by Billy Mulley found the head (or ear) of James Moore, who nodded home the opener and continued his impressive goalscoring streak in 2026.

Knebworth ramped up the pressure, hounding the Redbourn defence. A slick passage of play found Alex Parker on the edge of the box, who switched it to Mulley; he slotted home with his left foot to make it 2–0.

After some impressive defending from Richard Ashie, who kept the back line organised alongside the rest of the defence, the Ks struck again on the break. Pushing Redbourn deeper, they found a third goal when a powerful strike from Moore forced a strong save from the keeper, only for Parker to pounce at the back post and thunder the rebound into the net from a yard out.

The half-time whistle blew with Knebworth 3–0 up and firmly back in their groove.

The second half began, but Knebworth did not carry the same momentum forward and their intensity began to drop.

A clever turn around the penalty area freed Pickstock, but his shot was saved by the keeper.

Knebworth looked dangerous from corners throughout, with Mulley’s deliveries threatening each time. He eventually found Will Oram unmarked, but his close-range effort rattled the crossbar.

There was little more to report in the second half. Mulley’s diving header with the last kick of the game was saved by the Redbourn keeper, and the full-time whistle followed immediately after, confirming all three points for Knebworth with a 3–0 victory.

That makes it three wins on the spin as Knebworth build momentum in 2026.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Jamie Morley

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks travel to Chipperield Corinthians Reserves (Queen Street, Chipperfield WD4 9BT) on Saturday, 28 February 2026 in the Cecil Hudson Cup; kicking off at 13:45. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Shooting practice needed… should have scored ten!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth leapt up to second in the table with a thumping win over Welwyn United.

Welwyn United 1, Knebworth 12 (Twelve)

Chat GPStu writes…

Things got off to a bad start for midfield maestro Callum Pickstock, with most of his teammates passing him in a lay-by on the A414. Thankfully Joe Smith was on hand with the assist of the season by changing his tyre and getting him to the game!

Sadly no detailed report, despite recording our biggest win for years. And limited information filtered back to Chat GPStu…

An eventful first half saw the Ks enter the break 4-1 to the good and with a player advantage; Welwyn reduced to ten men after two yellow cards.

Goals flowed in the second half; by the time it was 8-1 the goalscorers were: Pickstock x2, Alex Parker x2, Will Oram, Richard Ashie, Reece Leen, James Ellis.

Sim Vilakati finally got on the scoresheet with goal number nine, and Billy Mulley joined in for the tenth of the afternoon.

Pickstock completed his well deserved hattrick before Mulley made it a dozen goals for Knebworth.

Main Door Security player of the match: Callum Pickstock

The Ks travel to Chipperield Corinthians Reserves (Queen Street, Chipperfield WD4 9BT) on Saturday, 28 February 2026 in the Cecil Hudson Cup; kicking off at 13:45. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Wowzers!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth returned to winning ways in style with a clinical home victory.

Knebworth 4, Bengeo Trinity 0 – 07/02/2026

Chat GPStu writes…

Knebworth dominated the opening 15 minutes and should have had two or three goals. Bengeo settled into the game and things evened out, with the Ks’ backline tested.

Shortly before the interval, Billy Mulley pounced on a loose ball and smashed home to break the deadlock and record his tenth goal of the season.

The Ks carried their momentum into the second half and took just nine minutes to double their advantage. Mulley raced on to a long clearance and rifled over the advancing goalkeeper.

The Knebworth defence worked worked to keep Bengeo at bay and protect their clean sheet.

Tyler Pullin settled any nerves with an audacious overhead kick to make it 3-0 after good work down the left by Mulley, with around ten minutes to play.

The game was put beyond all doubt in the final five minutes as Joe Smith netted a thumping strike from the edge of the box.

Despite the convincing scoreline, huge credit is due to the defence for keeping the Bengeo attack, containing the division’s leading goalscorer, at bay. Particular mention for Callum Crouch and central pairing Paul Clarke and Richard Ashie.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Richard Ashie

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks travel to Welwyn United (Samuel Ryder Academy, St Albans AL1 5AR) on Saturday, 14 February 2026; kicking off at 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: The promotion push is back on!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth had to settle for a point after sharing six goals with Sarratt Reserves.

Knebworth 3, Sarratt Reserves 3 – 17/01/2026

Regular reporter Lucas Squirrell writes…

After a triumphant penalty shootout victory, Knebworth returned to the Rec to face Sarratt Reserves for the first time in the league this season, looking to get their league form back on track in the New ear.

Knebworth started brightly, moving the ball well early on. Some neat play down the right from James Moore found Reece Leen, who slipped Sim Vilakati in behind the Sarratt defence. Vilakati made no mistake, striking early to give Knebworth the perfect start.

However, the lead was short-lived. Sarratt quickly found a way through the Knebworth defence and finished clinically to bring the scores level.

After sustained pressure and several impressive saves from Ross Field to keep Knebworth in the game, the hosts regained the lead. Inside the Sarratt box, Callum Pickstock made a crucial tackle and flicked the ball to Leen, who smashed it with his laces into the bottom-right corner — a proper striker’s finish.

As half-time approached, Knebworth continued to push forward. Billy Mulley controlled the ball on the left, switched play, and found Vilakati’s run in behind the defence. Vilakati calmly reversed the pass back to Mulley, who neatly placed it into the bottom-right corner to give Knebworth a two-goal cushion.

The referee blew for half-time with Knebworth leading, despite a performance that felt a little slow in places. Still, the boys went into the break two goals to the good.

The second half began poorly for Knebworth. Sloppy defending allowed a Sarratt attacker to find space at the back post and prod the ball home, making it 3–2 — not the restart the Ks were looking for.

Knebworth tried to regain control, but the sloppiness remained and they struggled to find the momentum they had at the end of the first half. Sarratt continued to apply pressure, and in a sense of déjà vu, another cross from the right found a Sarratt forward who headed home to level the score at 3–3.

As time ticked on, Knebworth finally began to build momentum again. A perfectly weighted through ball put Mulley one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who did well to spread himself and force the effort wide for a corner.

Moments later, the final whistle blew, confirming a 3–3 draw. It wasn’t the start to the 2026 league campaign the boys wanted, and it certainly felt like two points dropped. Attention now turns to next week, as Knebworth face a double-header against AFC Evergreen, where six points are a must.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Ross Field

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks travel to Evergreen (Southway, Abbots Langley WD5 0JL) for a double header in the league on Saturday, 24 January 2026; the first game kicks off at 13:30, followed by 15:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Gifting goals like it’s Christmas again!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.