Knaphill 2 - 0 Raynes Park Vale

Knaphill hosted higher league, Step 4, Raynes Park Vale on Tuesday (07 Nov 2023) evening in the Surrey Senior Cup.
 
With both teams sitting second in their respective leagues (Combined Counties Premier South & Isthmian South Central), the evening promised a cracker of a tie.
 
From the start, the Isthmian South Central side laid out their intentions with a lot of early possession, but found a well drilled Knaphill side that were able to soak up the pressure.
 
Knaphill were happy to let the away side enjoy their possession and seemed content to hit on the break. As the half progressed the resolute Knaphill restricted Raynes Park to a few half chances and long range shots, whilst the lively Thumwood, Aziz and Camara started to cause the away side problems of their own.
 
The moment of the game came in the 21st minute from a great piece of individual skill. Aziz found himself out on Knaphill’s right flank, he then cut inside, beating two players in the process. He then unleashed a superb shot from around 25 yards out that curled in over the keeper.
 
Raynes Park didn’t sit back after the goal and replied with a few chances of their own with Gallagher coming close with a free kick and a header from the resulting corner.
 
HALFTIME: Knaphill 1 - 0 Raynes Park Vale
 
The second half started with both sides enjoying good possession. Knaphill kept up the pressure on their senior opponents, with Camara producing a shot from a great turn out on the left that nearly looped over the keeper.
 
RPV came close a couple of times with a few shots from outside the box, but the Aziz & Thumwood combination started to shine for Knaphill. The former coming close with an angled shot on the hour. With RPV chasing the equaliser, Knaphill began to get on top. A series of strong challenges from the away side weren’t picked up by the officials. This didn’t affect the Knaphill side and they kept their concentration.
 
RPV came very close to an equaliser when their right back was played in and had just the Knappers no.1, Jos to beat. His lob from the edge of the box found itself on the wrong side of the post.
 
In the 87 minute, Nick Thumwood sealed a great victory, finishing off a good move that was started by a surging Aaron Burchett run from left back.
 
A very entertaining game. Knaphill were outstanding. The progress being made is there for all to see. Credit to all the coaches and players for the hard work being put in. Hopefully this is the springboard for a successful season.
 
Final Score: Knaphill 2 - 0 Raynes Park Vale.

Knaphill travel to Metropolitan Police FC in the next round (First Round) of the Surrey Senior Cup.