Tag: First team

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.

Knebworth deservedly squeezed past Elizabeth Allen in a tight cup encounter at The Rec, needing penalties to seal their passage.

Knebworth 0, Elizabeth Allen Old Boys 0; Ks win 4-3 on penalties – 10/01/2026

Lucas Squirrell is back on the typewriter after the festive break…

Knebworth were back in action in the new year as they welcomed Elizabeth Allen to The Rec in the Cecil Hudson Cup. Against a very tough opponent, could the Ks start the year as they meant to go on?

After a delayed start, the game eventually kicked off with Knebworth looking to set the tempo early, utilising Sim Vilakati’s pace in behind and trying to get Billy Mulley on the ball as much as possible.

The first half proved a tight and cagey affair. Some neat passages of play from Reece Leen and Billy Mulley created promising moments, but the Elizabeth Allen goalkeeper was in inspired form, pulling off several important saves. At the other end, Elizabeth Allen threw everything they had at Knebworth, but Mal Miles and Ritchie Ashie were outstanding at the back, winning every header and tackle that came their way. A crucial goal-line clearance from James Moore summed up the defensive effort and kept the Ks on level terms.

As the half ticked on, Knebworth earned a corner down the right. The ball was swung to the back post where Alex Parker controlled brilliantly on his chest and lined up a strike that looked destined for the net, only for the Elizabeth Allen goalkeeper to produce cat-like reflexes and deny the central midfielder just before half-time.

The teams went into the break goalless after a closely contested 45 minutes, with both defences on top and a fierce midfield battle leaving little to separate the sides.

Knebworth came out for the second half with renewed intensity. Callum Pickstock picked up the ball in the opposition half, found some space and curled an effort towards the top left corner, only to be denied once again by an excellent save from the Elizabeth Allen keeper.

With the Ks on top, the game began to open up and the tackles flew in as both sides searched desperately for a breakthrough. Pickstock again found himself in front of goal after some good work from Leen, but his shot was saved and parried into the path of Vilakati, who, under heavy pressure from the defence, was unable to keep his effort on target.

As Elizabeth Allen grew into the second half, the Knebworth defence remained solid and disciplined, refusing to give anything away. Late on, Knebworth won a free kick on the edge of the box. Tyler Pullin stepped up and delivered a dangerous ball into the area, but it was confidently claimed by the goalkeeper.

The final whistle blew with the scores still level, sending the game to penalties.

Knebworth dispatched their first few penalties coolly, as did Elizabeth Allen, until their third struck the bar. After a calm finish from Paul Clarke, Callum Crouch saved to win the game for Knebworth and send the Ks into the next round and kick off the new year in perfect fashion.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Callum Crouch

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks return to league action next Saturday, 17 January 2026, with Sarratt Reserves the visitors to The Rec (SG3 6AH); kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Happy New Year, indeed!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth bowed out of the historic Greg Cup on the wrong end of a nine-goal thriller.

Totteridge & Whetstone 6, Knebworth 3 – 20/12/2025

Asher Smith has given Lucas Squirrell a festive break and takes over the typewriter…

Conditions caused the match to be a quite an unpredictable affair, but goals were flying in nonetheless.

Despite Knebworth being the better side for most of the half the home side scored first with a top strike from distance 1-0. But Knebworth hung in and battled to get back level very quickly with a corner from Tyler Pullin that set up Jamie Morley for a header into the back of the net, well deserved and 1-1.

Coming into the second half there was a feeling that Knebworth could go and take the game into their hands but unfortunately some lapses in concentration and poor conditions of the pitch contributed to a few more goals being scored by Totteridge and the game was over quickly with a few goals from the opposition to burst into a 5-1 advantage.

A small fightback came towards the end of the match with goals from Reece Leen and a second for Morley to reduce the deficit to 5-3. A small glimmer of hope was evident to see in the Knebworth ranks with a feeling that a comeback could be possible with 5 minutes to go, but as the away side were pushing to score, Totteridge scored a goal at the end with a hat trick for the opposition striker and the clincher to knock Knebworth out of the cup.

Main Door Security player of the match: Jamie Morley

The Ks now have a break until Saturday 10 January 2026 when they host Elizabeth Allen Old Boys in the Cecil Hudson Cup; kick off is 13:45 at Knebworth Recreation Ground, off Watton Road, Knebworth SG3 6AH. Find the fixtures list here for 2025/26.

Musings of an old man: Not too much turkey, lads!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

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.