Club News

Knebworth returned from Abbots Langley with all six points.

AFC Evergreen 1, Knebworth 3
Knebworth 2, AFC Evergreen 0

Lucas ‘Motty’ Squirrell writes…

Knebworth travelled to AFC Evergreen for the second double-header fixture of the campaign, with six crucial points on the line in their push for promotion. Evergreen came into the day full of confidence after an impressive 7–0 victory in their previous outing, but the Ks were determined to continue their strong run.

Game 1.

Knebworth kicked off on what was arguably the most bobbly pitch in the league, but that didn’t stop them from starting brightly. Early pressure from the Ks attack caused chaos in the Evergreen defence, and it paid off when Billy Mulley found space down the left-hand side. After driving into the box, he squared the ball to James ‘Bobby’ Moore, who finished calmly to give Knebworth an early lead.

The strong start continued as Lucas Squirrell won an important 50/50 challenge with the Evergreen centre-back and played Reece Leen through on goal. He kept his composure and slotted home to make it 2–0 inside the opening ten minutes — the perfect start for the visitors.

However, Knebworth’s concentration slipped late in the first half, gifting Evergreen a penalty which their striker converted confidently. Despite the excellent opening spell, it wasn’t the way the Ks wanted to finish the half.

The second half was tighter, with fewer clear chances, but Knebworth’s pressing remained relentless and continued to force errors from the Evergreen defence. The decisive third goal eventually arrived when new signing Shay Diviney played a superb ball over the top for Mulley, who finished well to secure a deserved 3–1 victory.

3 points secured, and 3 points to go.

The second game started at a slower tempo, with both sides battling for control. Knebworth’s defence stood strong throughout the first half, limiting Evergreen’s attacking opportunities and keeping things solid at the back.

The breakthrough came when a clipped ball over the Evergreen defence found Mulley, who showed great skill to weave past multiple defenders before smashing the ball into the net to give the Ks the lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Knebworth remaining organised and disciplined defensively, never allowing Evergreen a real chance to get back into the match.

The final goal arrived after Leen chased down a loose ball and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His initial effort rebounded back to him, but he reacted quickly and squared the ball to Malachi Miles at the back post, who calmly finished to seal a 2–0 win and all six points on the day. It proved to be a hugely important afternoon for Knebworth, as maximum points were secured while other promotion rivals dropped points — giving the Ks a valuable edge as the season approaches its final stages.

Main Door Security player of the match: Billy Mulley

The Ks will be back in action with a trip to Redbourn Rovers on Saturday, 11 April 2026 in the league; kicking off at 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Good stuff! Lay off the chocolate eggs next weekend, though!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth cruised past Ware United to enhance their promotion credentials.

Knebworth 5, Ware United Reserves 0

Lucas ‘Motty’ Squirrell writes…

Three important points were on the line as Ware United travelled to the Rec to face the Ks in a crucial fixture for Knebworth’s promotion hopes.

Knebworth knew a strong start was essential following last week’s encouraging performance, and Billy Mulley set the tone early. Picking up the ball on the left wing, he drove past the Ware right-back with confidence before cutting inside and forcing a sharp save from the goalkeeper.

After some solid defensive work at the back, including important contributions from Paul Clarke, Knebworth continued to press forward. Callum Pickstock found space on the left-hand side, worked his way around the defence and drilled a dangerous ball across the box, where James “Bobby” Moore was perfectly placed to finish and give Knebworth a deserved lead.

Following a long and competitive first half, the referee brought play to a close with Knebworth leading 1–0 against their promotion rivals.

Ware saw more of the ball after the restart but struggled to create any real chances against a well-organised Knebworth midfield and defence.

Knebworth doubled their advantage thanks to a defensive mix-up from Ware, allowing Mulley to react quickest and finish confidently to make it 2–0.

The Ks continued to push forward. Moore drove down the right and found Lucas Squirrell, who played the ball forward to Sim Vilakati. After controlling well, Vilakati switched play wide to Mulley, who beat the full-back once again before finishing neatly to secure his second goal of the match and put Knebworth firmly in control.

Moore continued to cause problems down the right flank, later finding Pickstock on the edge of the box. Pickstock produced a clever outside-of-the-boot pass to Mulley, who squared the ball perfectly for Vilakati to finish off another well-worked team move.

Ware United kept trying to play out from the back, but Knebworth’s midfield press proved relentless. A strong challenge saw the ball fall to Vilakati on the edge of the area, and he returned the favour by setting up Mulley to complete his hat-trick in style.

Five goals, three points, a hat-trick for Mulley, and a clean sheet for Knebworth made it another excellent afternoon in the sunshine at the Rec — and a huge step forward in their push for promotion.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Paul Clarke

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks travel to Evergreen (South Way, Abbots Langley WD5 0JL) next Saturday, 28 March 2026, for a ‘double header’ in the league; kicking off at 14:00 for the first game and 15:00 for the second game. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Bit squeakybum for a while until the floodgates opened!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth return with a hard-fought point but could have taken more.

Elizabeth Allen Old Boys 1, Knebworth 1

Lucas ‘Motty’ Squirrell writes…

Knebworth were back on the road as they travelled to face Elizabeth Allen, looking to secure all three points and continue their push for promotion.

The K’s started the game brightly and looked dangerous from the opening minutes. Early pressure almost paid off when James Ellis was played through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his effort was well saved and pushed wide. It set the tone for a positive start as Knebworth pressed high and worked relentlessly off the ball, forcing the Elizabeth Allen defence into mistakes and keeping them under constant pressure.

Despite dominating much of the first half, Knebworth were unable to find the breakthrough. When the halftime whistle blew, the score remained 0–0, which felt harsh on the visitors after a strong and disciplined team performance that arguably deserved at least a goal.

The second half began with the same intensity from Knebworth, who were determined to turn their control of the game into a lead. A well-worked move from midfield saw Reece Leen unleash a shot that the Elizabeth Allen goalkeeper spilled, with the rebound falling into the path of James Moore. However, Moore was denied at the last moment by a well-timed tackle from the opposition left back.

Chances continued to build as Billy Mulley drove forward to support the attack, helping push the team higher up the pitch in search of the opener.

The breakthrough finally came when Malachi Miles collected the ball at right back and picked out Leen in space. Leen cleverly flicked the ball past the Elizabeth Allen centre-back into the path of Sim Vilakati, who controlled it before firing confidently into the far corner to give Knebworth a deserved lead. It was an excellent team goal that reflected the visitors’ attacking intent throughout the game.

The goal seemed to spark a response from the hosts, who began pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Knebworth were forced into some resolute defending, along with several important stops to protect their lead.

Elizabeth Allen eventually found a way back into the game following a corner. After the initial clearance, the ball fell to one of their midfielders on the edge of the box, whose strike crashed against the crossbar. The ball then bounced down and, after a moment of hesitation, the referee awarded the goal, judging that it had crossed the line.

The final whistle followed not long after, confirming a 1–1 draw away from home against tough opposition. While Knebworth may feel they deserved more from the match after a strong all-round performance, the team will take confidence from the display as they look ahead to next week’s crucial home fixture against Ware United Reserves in a key game in the race for promotion.

Main Door Security player of the match: Will Oram

The Ks host Ware United Reserves on Saturday, 21 March 2026 in the league; kicking off at 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Getting to the ‘business end’…

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

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.