Club News

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.

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.