Written By Declan McCarthy
Keith Hill and his men found their winning ways as they beat 6th place Spelthorne Sports. Three fantastic goals was enough as Knaphill recorded their first win in six league games.
Knaphill looked confident as they kicked off the game – which was a real surprise considering their recent performances (W0, D2, L4) and this showed as they got onto the scoring board 25 minutes into the game. It was some great build up play on the left wing thanks to Nasr, he beat his man and had his shot parried out to the on running right winger – on loan from Slough Town – Gurkan Gorkman, who reacted quickest and poked the ball into the back of the net.
From the goal the assumption would have been that Knaphill would sit and defend, but it was more containing from the Woking based side. They were very good at keeping possession as they played deep in defence when on the ball, giving themselves time to pick out a pass and this really worked well as it created space for the wingers Nasr and Gorkman to run into.
Spelthorne did as any other team would, try and get back into the game, but astray chances didn’t really create much threat as off target shots came here and there. Just before the break Josh Watkins of Knaphill had a good chance but the Spelthorne goalkeeper done one better with a comfortable save.
Certainly Knaphill went into the half time break better over their opponents being 1-0 up, but there was always a feeling that one moment in the game could completely change the outcome off the result.
The second half began and both sides came out very physical. The resilient Knaphill side showed their quality by defending well but it was a brilliant double save from the Knaphill goalkeeper Shelly that kept them ahead. As the ball was delivered in from a Spelthorne corner a Spelthorne defender was quicker to head the ball towards goal, only for Shelly to get a great hand to it and then get his body in the way for the rebound. It really was a crucial save. If it had gone in, it could have changed the game.
Knaphill didn’t just defend well, they also countered Spelthorne Sports very quickly, not giving them time to set up and this showed as Knaphill won a corner within a few seconds from having the ball in their own 18 yard area. From the corner Captain Jamie Doble smashed home a great goal as the ball just squeezed underneath the bar.
The two goal cushion was nice, but it didn’t stop there as the intensity from Knaphill continued. Every ball was closed down and the hard work paid off as they got their well-deserved 3rd goal. It was a 25 yard, looping shot from Gorkman which sailed into the net and left the Spelthorne Sports goalkeeper with no chance.
Knaphill defending well from then on and saw the game out. Even better, as the referee blew his whistle Knaphill got a clean sheet –Something they haven’t got in 14 games prior to tonight’s game.”
Manager of Knaphill Keith Hill spoke to Radio Woking after the game and expressed his team have what it takes to get the points on the board and survive in the Combined Counties Premier Division “We are building for next season, the main aim is to stay in the league (and) if we play like that we will be alright.”
Knaphill are back in action this weekend as they take on Windsor and they will be going there in high confidence.
My MOTM: Jamie Doble. Showed great character and held his defensive line well and showed quality with a great finish.