Tag: First team

Knebworth moved into the top three in Division Three with three points at Bury Rangers.

Bury Rangers 3, Knebworth 4 – 13/12/2025

Lucas ‘Motty’ Squirrell reports…

Another December fixture meant another away day for Knebworth, as they travelled to Hertford for the reverse fixture against Bury Rangers. The question was simple: could the Ks extend their unbeaten run?

The opening exchanges lacked real conviction from either side. Sim Vilakati’s relentless pressing provided the main attacking spark for Knebworth, giving the Bury defence plenty to think about, while at the other end Malachi Miles calmly swept up anything that came his way.

As the first half wore on, Knebworth began to press for an opener. Callum Pickstock found pockets of space and hinted at opportunities, but the breakthrough eventually came from quick thinking. A rapid throw from Will Oram found Reece Leen, who swung a right-footed delivery into the box. Vilakati rose highest, flicking a superb header into the right-hand corner to give Knebworth the lead. A familiar story, and a thoroughly deserved goal.

The remainder of the first half failed to spark into life, with Knebworth unable to fully shift through the gears. The half-time whistle sounded with the visitors leading 1–0.

The second half began in a fashion Knebworth were not expecting. An early Bury attack caught the defence off guard, and a low cross found the striker in the box for a simple tap-in, levelling the score.

Conceding against the run of play was not part of the plan, and Knebworth responded immediately. Whether it was a cross or a clearance, Alex Parker’s ball forward was chased down by James Moore on the left wing. Moore stayed composed under pressure, finishing past the onrushing goalkeeper despite being wiped out in the process, and getting himself on the scoresheet for the second consecutive week.

Back in front, Knebworth looked to assert control and quickly doubled their advantage. Billy Mulley produced some lovely footwork on the right, finding space before calmly finding the net.

At last, Knebworth were moving through the gears, playing with confidence and momentum. After a sustained spell of pressure, the lead was extended further. Mulley’s corner found Callum Crouch who rose to head the ball back across goal and into the far corner, making it 4–1.

Three goals to the good, Knebworth appeared to be cruising towards all three points. However, the game took a nervous turn around the 80th minute. Sloppiness and a lapse in concentration handed Bury a lifeline, as they struck twice in quick succession to make it 4–3.

Thankfully, Knebworth regrouped, switched back on, and remained compact for the closing stages to see the game out and secure the win. The final league game of the season ended in victory: seven games unbeaten, goals in abundance, and free-flowing football. Knebworth closed out their 2025 league campaign on a high. But there’s one final challenge left before the year ends — a Cup clash against Totteridge & Whetstone. Can the boys keep this impressive run going?

Main Door Security player of the match: Callum Crouch

The Ks are on the road again this Saturday, 20 December 2025, for their final fixture of the year, with a trip to Totteridge & Whetstone from division 1 in the Greg Cup; kick off is 13:45 at Old Elizabethans Memorial Playing Fields, Mays Lane, Barnet EN5 2AG. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Christmas has come early!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth stunned Ware United with a clinical performance to the delight of their travelling fans on a drizzly afternoon, as they extended their winning streak to four games.

Pitstone & Ivinghoe United Reserves 0, Knebworth 1 – 06/12/2025

Lucas Squirrell reports…

After a week off due to a waterlogged pitch, Knebworth returned to league action with a long trip away to Pitstone Reserves, as the Ks looked to get revenge for the opening-day defeat.

Having drawn their previous game, Knebworth were eager to bounce back and extend their unbeaten run. However, it was a slow start from the Ks, and a few early chances for Pitstone put them under pressure, forcing some important saves from Ross Field between the sticks.

The first half didn’t offer much more momentum. Some tidy passing sequences eventually saw Reece Leen slip through, but on his weaker foot he lifted the effort over the bar.

After a sluggish 45 minutes, the whistle blew for a goalless first half. Words were echoed around the changing room that the tempo needed drastic improvement.

The boys came out for the second half with a bit more energy, highlighted by Billy Mulley’s silky feet as he rounded the keeper—but unfortunately couldn’t find a pull-back.

Pitstone began to mount pressure again, and nearly struck first as a corner was whipped in, only to be caught one-handed by Field—an impressive save that kept Knebworth in the game.

As the 70th minute arrived, a corner was delivered into the box and, after a scrappy scramble in the penalty area, an unlikely figure—James “Bobby” Moore—poked home the opener for Knebworth. I’m not sure how he found himself in that position, and I don’t think Bobby knew either, but he kept his composure and coolly slotted the ball in to give Knebworth the lead!

As the 90th minute approached, Pitstone came knocking, but Knebworth shut up shop. Some important clearances from Paul Clarke and heroic keeping from stand-in goalkeeper Callum Crouch, following an injury to Field, helped secure a 1–0 win.

A smash-and-grab on a wet, windy Saturday afternoon sees the unbeaten streak extend to six games, along with another clean sheet! Two more games before the New Year break—three points and a win in the next round of the cup wouldn’t be too bad!

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Sim Vilakati

The Ks are on the road again this Saturday, 13 December 2025, with a trip to Bury Rangers; kick off is 15:00 at Richard Hale School in Hertford, on the 3G pitch. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: So they can do it on a wet afternoon in Pitstone, too!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

The Ks showed determination to remain unbeaten and snatch a late equaliser.

Knebworth 2, Harpenden Colts 2 – 22/11/2025

Lucas Squirrell refuses to release the typewriter and completes his hat trick of reports…

A wet afternoon saw Knebworth host Harpenden for the first reverse fixture of the season. With this being the only league match of the weekend, it offered Knebworth a prime chance to climb the table and close the gap on the teams ahead. The question was simple: could they make it five wins on the bounce?

Harpenden began the sharper of the two sides. Early pressure forced a defensive mix-up, allowing their striker to pounce and win a penalty. It was calmly dispatched, putting the visitors 1–0 up in the opening minutes.

The remainder of the first half lacked real cutting edge, though there were flashes of promise. Matthew Harwood looked lively on the right, and one of his deliveries found Callum Pickstock, whose effort was smartly saved by the Harpenden goalkeeper.

Half-time arrived, and with it some stern words from the skipper. The response was clear. Knebworth came out with renewed intensity, with Sim Vilakati leading the line tirelessly, pressing, running, and dragging the team forward.

Just after the hour mark, Billy Mulley produced a moment of trademark magic. Drifting down the left, he effortlessly beat the full-back before squaring for Reece Leen, who swept home the equaliser.

But the joy didn’t last long. A contentious, quickly taken Harpenden throw-in caught the Ks napping, and a well-placed finish from the edge of the box restored the visitors’ lead at 2–1.

Despite the relentless rain, Knebworth refused to fold. They kept pushing, searching for something to take from the match. And with the final kick of the game, they got it. A high ball into the box caused chaos, and when it dropped to Billy Mulley, he made no mistake, slotting home to clinch a dramatic 2–2 draw.

Not the result Knebworth had hoped for, but on a drenched afternoon and below-par performance, a point was better than none. The unbeaten run stretches to six, with Leen and Mulley both adding to their season tallies.

All eyes now turn to next week, where Knebworth will be hungry for revenge against Elizabeth Allen.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Sim Vilakati

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks are at home again next Saturday, 29 November 2025, with Elizabeth Allen Old Boys visiting in the Cecil Hudson Cup; kick off is 13:45. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: not what we’ve become accustomed to but battled to get a point

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth stunned Ware United with a clinical performance to the delight of their travelling fans on a drizzly afternoon, as they extended their winning streak to four games.

Ware United Reserves 2, Knebworth 7 (Seven) – 15/11/2025

Lucas Squirrell reports…

The typewriter is back in action this week as Knebworth travelled away to face Ware United Reserves, who came into the game in good form. The Ks were looking to extend their winning streak to four games in a row.

Knebworth started strongly once again, looking to utilise the height of Alex Parker from every possible set piece, thanks to some perfect deliveries from Will Oram from corners and long throws. The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute, as the work put in during pre-season seemed to pay off. A coordinated press from the attack saw Sim Vilakati block the keeper’s clearance and open the scoring.

Knebworth continued to push for a second, with constant pressure from the front eventually forcing a mistake in the Ware defence. A swinging cross from skipper Oram was dropped by the keeper and landed perfectly for Vilakati, who headed home his second of the match. We couldn’t be on for back-to-back hat tricks… could we?

As half-time approached, Knebworth still weren’t finished. Some silky team play saw Parker square the ball to Reece Leen, who neatly slotted home; taking him to eight goals for the season. He must have been feeling the pressure after Billy Mulley’s hat trick the week before!

At the break, the message from Oram and manager Paul Hewitt was clear: keep the momentum going and put a few more in the back of the net.

The second half began with a slight dip in tempo, but it didn’t stop Leen from finding his second of the day. Some neat work from Mulley found Leen sneaking into the box to head home.

In the 60th minute, Vilakati chased a ball over the top. A bit of miscommunication between the Ware centre-back and goalkeeper allowed him to slip through and dink the ball over the keeper to complete another Knebworth hat trick.

Not to be left out of the recent goal frenzy, Leen struck again shortly after. Following some lovely footwork from Mulley, he slotted home to secure yet another Knebworth hat trick and his tenth goal of the season.

A moment of complacency saw Ware pull one back in the 75th minute and another shortly after, though this shouldn’t detract from another outstanding performance from Knebworth’s back line, who were solid throughout.

Callum Pickstock rounded off the scoring after a corner from Charlie Pratt, guiding the ball into the bottom corner to seal a 7–2 victory.

Another three points in the league, the winning streak extended to four games, and three hat tricks in two games – the boys are flying. Let’s hope the momentum continues as we look to make it five on the spin.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Reece Leen

The Ks are back at home next Saturday, 22 November 2025, with Harpenden Colts the visitors; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: So they can do it on a wet afternoon in Ware!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth put on a scintillating display for the home faithful after three games on the road and a blank matchday last weekend.

Knebworth 4, Bury Rangers 0 – 08/11/2025

Lucas Squirrell reports…

Contrary to last week’s report, the typewriter has been found — just in time for this week’s write-up, as the Ks hosted Bury Rangers at home, looking to make it three league wins on the bounce.

After an all-round impressive performance against Harpenden, the boys picked up right where they left off (despite a week off) and came flying out of the gates. After just 20 minutes, some tidy work down the right-hand side saw Matty Harwood swing in a pinpoint cross for the in-form striker Reece Leen to tap home.

Knebworth kept up the pressure, moving the ball confidently from the back and looking dangerous with every attack. The Ks doubled their lead in the 35th minute when a clever pass from Tyler Pullin released Billy Mulley, who slotted home for his first of the game.

Bury rallied towards the end of the half, but every attack was snuffed out by Callum Crouch, who won every challenge and made his presence (and voice) well and truly known.

The second half saw Knebworth continue their dominance, with Sim Vilakati adding fresh energy to the frontline and causing constant problems for the Bury defence. His persistence paid off in the 55th minute, linking up with Mulley, who calmly finished for his second of the day.

The Ks maintained control throughout the half, pressing high, moving the ball with purpose, and defending superbly. The scoring was rounded off in the 80th minute from a lovely move starting from Leen’s first time ball through to Vilakati who once again found Mulley, who completed his hat-trick and moved just one goal behind Leen in the season’s top-scorer standings.

Knebworth saw out the final minutes with confidence, and the whistle blew to confirm another 4-0 win, three points and another clean sheet — a superb team performance from start to finish.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Callum Crouch

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks are back on the road next Saturday, 15 November 2025, with a trip to Ware United at Wodson Park; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: What a treat for the eyes that was!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.