Club News

Adult teams, First team, Reserve team

Saturday 28 August 2021 – First Team & Reserves

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Knebworth 2, Bovingdon Reserves 1

Tristan Potkins reports…

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.

Stevenage Couriers man of the match: Kai Hutchinson

Uncategorized

Non-League Paper – 25/26 September 2021

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Article supplied by The Non-League Paper

THE WARNING from the Kent FA on the fall in numbers of match officials for grassroots fixtures makes for worrying reading. Put simply, without referees, the football system cannot function properly.

By David Richardson

In an open letter to clubs, the county FA’s referee development officer Nick Dunn explained the issues they, and many other county associations, seem to be facing in grassroots football.

He said: “We closed the 2020-2021 season with over 1,634 match officials affiliated; the most we have ever received. Ensuring transparency, at this present time of the 2021-2022 season we have 1,247 affiliated match officials, representing almost a 24 per cent loss.

“To put this loss into footballing terms, if each of those 400 referees lost were to referee approximately 20 games a season it results in approximately 8,000 matches being played without a referee.”

Dunn says the matches under their control without a referee are at an all-time high. Not only does this not help the grassroots game, but it makes the development of referees and the progression through the system tougher.

At The NLP, we’ve experienced first-hand the good work the FA are putting in to encourage the development of referees, and therefore retain them. But it’s always going to be hard to keep filling the tank when they are subjected to some of the abuse we see all too often.

Dunn points out that the conduct and behaviour of a minority of participants is not the sole reason for the drop-off, but he believes it is a fundamental one.

Where are we as a society and sport if a match official can’t turn up on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning without fear of what might happen should they dare make a decision somebody doesn’t agree with?

Remember, it might not just come from a player. But spectators or parents overstepping the mark, managers and coaches failing to conduct themselves as they should.

Football is a passionate game. Nobody wants to take that out of it. But there is a very clear line that shouldn’t be crossed. And passion isn’t a good enough reason for losing control over a game of football – something everyone is supposed to be involved in because they enjoy it.

Verbal threats, physical attacks, abusive comments on social media after the game – yes, it’s a minority but it’s far too much.

Often culprits will be handed fines and suspensions. The authorities can only do what they can do, individuals have to take responsibility.

But the game as a whole must also pull together to stamp it out. Clubs must hand out their own individual punishments to the people associated to them who go too far.

Often, this concerns adults going over board at kids football. That’s even more worrying when a parent can’t control their reactions. We’d like to think they would realise the impact it has on their own child’s enjoyment.

The majority of people get involved as a match official because they enjoy the game too. No wonder some are choosing to walk away. Let’s put on a united front to keep them safe – and in the game.

Adult teams, First team, Reserve team, Uncategorized

September 2021 – First Team & Reserves

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Saturday 4 September 2021

Knebworth 0 – 3 Hertford United – Aubrey Cup

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

Hemel Hempstead Rovers Reserves 3 – 0 Knebworth Reserves

Reserves skipper Matt Cooper reports

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.

Extrastaff man of the match: Liam George

Liam George in action – image courtesy of The Cold End

Adult teams, First team

Saturday 21 August – First Team

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Knebworth travelled to title contenders Oracle Components but unfortunately the match was abandoned around 55 minutes due to Charlie Pratt needing urgent medical attention.

Contesting a challenge, Charlie landed onto an opposition player’s hip. Fortunately he left in good spirits, and everyone at the Club wishes him all the best and a speedy recovery. The response of the squad was fantastic in quickly realising the severity of the situation and supporting Adrian.

Charlie Pratt is recovering from a match-stopping injury

The First Team are back at home next week, Bovingdon the visitors for 14:00 kick off with Reserves playing afterwards.

The First will be seeking to kick start their season to reflect the strengthening of the squad and the positive work going on in training.

Adult teams, Reserve team

Saturday 21 August – Reserves

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Reserves skipper Matt Cooper reports

Knebworth welcomed Aldenham Reserves in the first home game of the season, the Reserves looking to build on an opening day thumping of Bushey Rangers.

With availability and injury issues it was a different looking side from last week with first starts for Joe O’Dell, Harry Wilkinson, Marcus McKechnie, Max Smith and Ben Phillips.

Knebworth took control from the get go and dominated a first half with lots of possession and chances. The front three of Smith, George Phillips and O’Dell were running riot, and did everything but score.  The midfield was controlled and purposeful with every attack with Alfie Nellis, Liam George and Wilkinson winning the individual battles and playing some brilliant through balls.

Half time came with the score at 0-0, and after a positive half time team talk Knebworth came out looking to grab an early goal and kill the game off.

The deadlock was finally broken when a well worked move down the right hand side ended with Smith roasting the full back and delivering a ball in to be smashed home on the volley by G.Phillips, making in two in two for the head-banded attacker.

Chances continued to come for the Reserves but a mixture of close misses and good goalkeeping from Aldenham kept it at 1-0. A new look back four for Knebworth kept it very tight all game, with Cooper and McKechnie winning everything and starting numerous attacks. Jason Fleet and Nathan Garrod doing brilliantly in both defence and attack.

Keeper B.Phillips had little to do and the boys saw off the game comfortably to win 1-0 and secure a second victory of the season.

Raja Tandoori man of the match: Joe O’Dell

Stevenage Couriers man of the match: Matt Cooper

Back to back wins and the Reserves are at home again next week, Chipperfield Corinthians the visitors for 16:00 kick off.

Skipper Matt Cooper