The 2014/15 season was Knaphill’s first in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, and initially it was a tough baptism for them and after gaining promotion from Division One in 2014. Their last month of league games gained 13 points to finish a couple of places away from mid-table in 13th position. Apart from April being the best league sequence of the season, the Club played in three rounds of the FA Cup and the same number in the FA Vase, the FA Cup being their ‘debut’ in the competition taking place in the Club’s 90th year.

August was a busy month with eight games, six in the League and two in the FA Cup. Their opening match of the League campaign brought a result that couldn’t haven’t been a worst start, a 6-0 loss at home to Camberley Town. But just three days later the visit to Frimley Green almost got them maximum points to bounce back after the weekend. Leading 1-0, they were virtually ’robbed’ of a couple of points when Frimley grabbed an equaliser in the last minute for a 1-1 draw. Next up was away to Raynes Park Vale where they gained a worthy point in their second draw, this time 0-0.

Having tightened up in defence from that early thrashing from Camberley, following the two drawn games, Knaphill were back home in midweek and were unfortunate to be on the end of a narrow defeat 2-1 by Cove. After two weeks of the new season, it was the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, our first season in this competition, away to Fairford Town and a good start with a 3-1 win, which put them into the next round and a home tie against Badshot Lea, resulting in 2-1 win. Sandwiched in between the Cup games saw a 4-0 defeat by Ashford Town and a rather harsh penalty inflicting a 1-0 defeat at Hartley Wintney.

Into September and a 2-2 draw at home to Farnham Town in the League, then back to the FA Cup and another home tie, this time Fleet Town, but that was our ‘mini-run over losing 2-1 to the Hampshire side. One of their best performances of the season came at Chertsey Town in the midweek game at Alwyns Lane where Knaphilll triumphed 2-1. But the form on that night failed to rub off in the next two matches losing 4-1 at home to Epsom & Ewell , and our worst result of the season an 8-0 mauiing by Molesey(who were to end their season as Premier champions). They recovered from that injury(yes it hurt!) and gained a 3-1 win at home to Hanworth Villa.
In October Knaphill won three games and lost two. They beat Bedfont Sports 3-1 away, another sparkling display, and Westfield 2-1, in the League, but then in their second game in the FA Vase beat Woodley Town 2-0. Defeats though were to come in the League, Windsor 4-2, and Badshot Lea 5-0.

Five games in November with two in the FA Vase, a 1-0 win away to Lordswood, and like the FA Cup, we went out of the competition in the third round with a narrow 1-0 defeat by Hanworth Villa. Unlucky on the day, and disappointing on the day. The League wins in November came against Mole Valley 2-1, and Horley Town 3-1.

It was our first season in the Surrey Senior Cup, but were knocked out after one round by Colliers Wood 3-0. Suffering from a hangover from that match, Knaphill were away to Farnham Town four days later losing 4-1. The roller coaster continued, then it was back to Redding Way and a swift return by Colliers Wood, this time in the League in which we gained deserved three points in the 3-1 win. Manager Phil Ruggles departed from the Club during January, and Keith Hills was installed as caretaker Manager to the end of season.

But January and February matches generated just five points from nine games. January: Camberley(lost 3-1), Chertsey Town(1-1), Spelthorne Sports(lost 2-0), Hanworth Villa(2-2) were all in January. February: 1 win(Spelthorne 3-0) 4 defeats(Colliers Wood 2-1, Guildford City 2-1, Windsor 2-1, Cove 3-1). One win and two draws in nine games, but into March and a 3-0 home win over Bedfont Sports, followed by 3-1 and 2-1 defeats by Westfield and Frimley Green respectively. They bounced back with a 4-0 win against Mole Valley, but then finished March with two defeats, Badshot Lea 3-0, and Horley Town 2-1.

There’s a saying of ‘leave the best to last’. That’s just what happened to Knaphill in April, producing their best month of the season with a draw and four consecutive wins. Starting with a 2-2 draw away to third place Ashford Town, followed by wins against Hartley Wintney 2-1, Guildford City 4-2, a stunning strike from Scott Costello for a 93rd minute winner, away to Epsom & Ewell(2-1), and then the final game of the season secured a 1-0 win against Raynes Park Vale, to finish the month gaining 13 points from a possible 15 points and end the season in 13th position, with 48 points from 40 games.

Overall League statistics:

Played 40 Won 14 Drawn 6 Lost 20 Goals F. 58 A. 81 Points 48.

Whilst the first team finished their season on 25th April, our Reserves were playing into the first week of May. Both Reserves and Youth U18s finished high in their respective Leagues. Our Reserves have had a good season in the Suburban League Southern Division finishing in 3rd place, and had a good run in the League Challenge Cup, reaching the semi-final, but lost 2-1 away to Boreham Wood.

Their penultimate game saw a 1-0 win over Raynes Park, and 3rd place in the table, then the final game at home to Lordswood, and the result was a 2-0 win for the visitors which gave them the Southern Division title, with Knaphill in 3rd place.

The season was only the second in the Suburban League for the Reserves, and Manager Simon Martin can be proud of his team throughout the 2014/15 season, for the high finishing place in the League and reaching the semi-final of the Challenge Cup. If the nucleus of the squad can stay together for next season, they could well be one of the front runners for league / cup honours.

League statistics:

Played 24 Won 11 Drawn 6 Lost 7 Goals: F 36 A 27 Points 39.

Gary Taylor, the U18s Manager, must also be pleased with what his lads have put into their football this season, and finished their League programme with a 2-0 win over local rivals Westfield.
Their best month came in March with four wins and a draw with one draw. In April, they lost two League games, away to Westfield, and home to League champions Met.Police, Then their final game, and sweet revenge of their defeat at Woking Park in April, with the win against Westfield on Tuesday 5th May.

The Youth U18s who have finished in 3rd place in the Southern Youth League, gaining 29 points from 14 games, plus they have also been involved in the League Cup and Grant McLellan Cup competitions during the 2014/15 season.

Having made known their intention to pull out of the Southern Youth League, the U18s have now made an application to join the Ryman League Youth League for 2015/16 season. Good luck to all three of our teams for season 2015/16 – Onwards and Upwards!..........

League statistics:

Played 14 Won 9 Drawn 2 Lost 3 Goals F.43 A.27 Points:29.