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Guildford City 1 Knaphill 3 - Match Report

Guildford City 1 Knaphill 3 - Match Report

Knaphill FC Webmaster6 Sep 2017 - 06:49
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Emirates FA Cup

Keith Hills has overseen some memorable matches and made history since taking the hot seat at Redding Way. Well on Saturday yet more history was made as victory at The Spectrum against previously unbeaten Guildford City saw us into the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time.

Both clubs were possibly underwhelmed when the draw came out as playing a side from your own League with other attractive ties available does not sit well as inevitably one of us would bow out of the competition. Having said that, the game itself was great to watch with both sides giving their all and a bit of controversy thrown in.

On the back of a poor showing at home to Westfield we needed to start brightly and got the perfect start by going ahead within five minutes. Danny Taylor was put through by an exquisite pass from Dan Thorogood and was taken out by Badiali who was duly cautioned. Jimmy Norman, August’s Player of the Month coolly slotted home from twelve yards.

Guildford had the upper hand in terms of possession after the early goal but they failed to turn this into any meaningful efforts on goal. Instead, it could have been two nil when a slip from Tancock allowed Danny Taylor to race through again but he delayed shooting and Tancock made a remarkable recovery tackle to keep his side in the game. Tancock was soon involved at the other end with a rasping effort which whistled past the post.

Knaphill continued to press and frustrate the home side and when half time came the team in white and blue trooped off feeling happy with their efforts.

As expected, a fired up Guildford came at us as the second half started and Luke Beale crossed but Dan Stewart’s header was deflected wide. A big scramble ensued following the corner but play was halted as a stray boot accidentally floored Shelley and he required treatment. On fifty six minutes penalty number two was awarded which was in no way a clear penalty as Siaw ran straight into Harry Roberts and hit the deck. The Referee blew straight away, Guildford appealed and Knaphill claimed it was a dive but the referee agreed with City. Kieran Campbell was equally as cool as Jimmy Norman and slotted past Shelley. Guildford sensed the game was there for the taking but Knaphill kept calm and defended well as a team and also looked to spring an attack instead of being pushed too deep.
So many times in the past Danny Taylor has come up with the goods in Cup ties and yet again the pocket rocket delivered. Guildford failed to clear the ball in their box and Josh Watkins did well to keep the ball alive rolling it square and Taylor rifled a low shot past everyone and in off the far post to regain the advantage.

Minutes later it was time for the controversy as Goulter smacked the crossbar from thirty yards and the ball flew up into the air and as it dropped Kieran Campbell reacted and bundled the ball over the line. At first the goal appeared to be given but with protests being made by the Knaphill team the Referee consulted the Assistant Referee and eventually it was deemed the Guildford striker had used his hand in scoring the goal. He was cautioned for the offence to further enrage the home side’s management who made their feelings clear to the man in black.

With Guildford chasing the game there was always the chance of a counter attack and substitute Harry Rapley went on a mazy run towards goal before being upended just outside the area. With the form Jimmy Norman is in there was only going to be one outcome and he duly delivered with another dazzling effort curling the ball around the wall into the far corner. To Guildford’s credit they kept the Knappers on their toes until the end as even pulling one goal back would have set up a grandstand finale.

Cue big celebrations at the end but also respect shown to our hosts with handshakes all round and a mutual respect between the two sides.
Once again congratulations to all involved as we carry the CCL banner forward to the 2nd Qualifying Round as the sole survivors.

Team: Shelley, Roberts, T Taylor, Norman, Watkins, Collins, D Taylor, Kersley, Mckinlay, Thorogood, Muir.
Subs Used – Frith, Rapley, Whiddett.
Unused – Turner, Close, Cheek.

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