Tag: First team

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.

The Ks followed up last week’s stunning victory over Norsemen with another three points on the road.

Harpenden Colts 1, Knebworth 5 – 25/10/2025

ChatGPT reports… well, actually, it doesn’t!

Contrary to Lucas’ belief that ChatGPT does all the work, we’re still waiting on the official match report while said midfielder gets to grips with the typewriter…

All we have are eye-witness reports as follows:

“1 up at half time, dominating the game need to score a few more”

“2 up Reece good work from Matty”

“3 up Reece penalty after Matty brought down”

“5-1, Sim got 2”

“They played brilliantly. They dominated the first half but only went in at half time leading one nil. After the restart they scored two quick goals before Harpenden pulled one back. They then scored two more after that to seal a comfortable victory. That’s the second week running they have played very well as a team and they seem very united as a group of players. It all looks very positive moving forward as there is more talking happening on the pitch and they are starting to convert more of the chances they are making.”

Main Door Security player of the match: Matt Harwood

Back at home this week with Redbourn Rovers the visitors on Saturday, 1 November 2025; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: would be nice to get a proper report!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

The Ks vanquished previous defeats to Norsemen with a stunning victory.

Norsemen Thirds 0, Knebworth 3 – 18/10/2025

Paul Clarke reports…

Knebworth travelled to high flying Norsemen full of confidence after drawing with league leaders Old Minchendenians recently.

We started well, keeping the ball and managing to get in behind a couple of times, creating some chances for Sim and Reece who were close to converting. Norsemen did start to push us back with some direct passes to the pacy wingers which tested us but we coped well. On the half hour mark a moment of magic from Billy Mulley gave us the lead. He drifted in from the left hand side, and after letting the ball bounce, struck an outrageous dipping volley across goal from at least 35 yards out, leaving the keeper helpless. Kneb were 1-0 up at half time. We flew out of the blocks in the second half and within 3 minutes were 2-0 up as a deep free kick from Will was cleverly headed across goal by Richard and Reece headed in a tidy finish from close range. Norsemen did have a great chance to pull one back but the shot inside the area was a wild one. After that, we controlled the game, with our midfield completely dominating and lots of our attacks came down the right hand side through the pace of Matty Harwood. After a scare, as a Norsemen free kick was headed on and clipped the bar,  we deservedly extended our lead in the 90th minute as a crossfield ball from Will was expertly taken down by Bobby and his inch perfect cross was clinically converted by Billy for his second goal to make it a resounding 3-0 win for the Kneb! Terrific team performance, our first three points in the league. We now look to push on when we face Harpenden Colts next week.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Billy Mulley for two terrific goals, excellence on the ball and tracking back.

More league action on the road next Saturday, 25 October 2025, with a trip to Harpenden Colts; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: the title charge has begun!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Penalty shootout heartbreak for Knebworth away to AFC Evergreen in the Hertfordshire County Cup.

AFC Evergreen 2, Knebworth 2 – Evergreen won on penalties – 11/10/2025

Asher Smith reports…

In today’s match we witnessed two teams going in search of a place in the next round of the County Cup, only one winner could be had.

In the first half Knebworth struggled to come to terms with a poor playing surface, and control of possession was a challenge, but still created some chances, with a shot from Alex Parker coming off the cross bar and goal mouth scramble before hand.

The hosts scored the first, with a fortunate scruffy shot which dribbled underneath the keeper into the bottom corner after the 35th minute; 1-0.

After some conversations at halftime, the intensity increased and we witnessed a bit more tempo and aggression from Knebworth and quickly after 55 minutes Sim Vilakati scored the equaliser after great cross from Malachi Miles, physicality and persistence got him through; 1-1.

Substitutions came and a real tug for possession for both teams but no joy until the latter stages.

A lovely passing move allowed Alex Parker to get a chance on the edge of the box for a deflected shot into the corner which put Knebworth in the lead with a couple minutes to spare.

But then a lack of concentration and some fortune for the hosts, an equaliser came with what would be the last kick of the 90 minutes.

Penalties followed with some great saves, some dismal penalties and a retake made it a chaotic penalty shoot out. In the end Evergreen came out on top with the winning kick for 7-6 to end Knebworth’s run in the County Cup.

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Paul Clarke

It’s back to league action next Saturday, 18 October 2025, with a trip to second-place Norsemen; kick off is 13:30. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: not another penalty shootout!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.

Knebworth secured their place in the next round of the Cecil Hudson Cup via a 2-1 victory at home to St Margaretsbury Reserves.

Knebworth 2, St Margaretsbury Reserves 1 – 04/10/2025

Billy Mulley reports…

In very windy conditions, it was quite a sloppy first half, despite there being some decent passages of play.

The opposition opened the scoring 30 minutes in when Knebworth failed to react quickly enough to a short corner and the ball was headed in from close range.

Needing to up it in the second half, and the introduction of Tyler Pullin, enabled Knebworth to dominate large periods of the second half.

Reece Leen levelled the game with 20 minutes left to play, with it being Pullin’s through ball that was smashed home by the Knebworth striker emphatically.

Leen went on to set up the eventual winner a few minutes from the final whistle when he stepped up to press and won possession back on the edge of the opposition’s box. He put it on a plate for Billy Mulley to find the bottom corner from just outside the area.

The Ks saw out what remained of the game very well to progress into the next round of the cup!

Raja Tandoori player of the match: Reece Leen

Enjoy this week’s Match Programme here

The Ks are in cup action again next Saturday, 11 October 2025, with a trip to Evergreen in the County Cup; kick off is 14:00. Find the fixtures list here for 2025.

Musings of an old man: what a thriller!

Special thanks to Alan Sleator for the header photo.