Knaphill secured a deserved win at Redding Way after an eventful first half in which both sides created openings, but Knaphill showed the sharper edge when it mattered.

Horley created the first chance when Acquaye weaved into the box, only for Keogh to block with an outstretched foot. Moments later, Cheek slipped Murdoch through on goal, but his low chip bobbled wide. Horley continued to threaten in the air, with Acquaye heading over before Trevatt nodded narrowly wide at the back post.

Knaphill briefly thought they had taken the lead when Throp’s cross was headed in by Murdoch, but the referee ruled it out for an alleged foul on the goalkeeper. Horley responded with another opportunity when a midfielder found space in the area but dragged his shot wide.

The breakthrough came soon after. Instead of going long, Keogh played short, and the ball was worked quickly into Stanic-Stewart, who threaded Halloufi into the channel. His driven cross was flicked on by Cheek and reached Collins arriving at the far post. His first effort was saved, but the rebound came straight back to him and he smashed it home.

Knaphill should have doubled the lead when a flowing move ended with Burnham bringing the ball down inside the area, only for his shot to be pushed onto the post. As Murdoch arrived to finish, the goalkeeper somehow recovered to divert it away. Horley remained dangerous, with Moody finding space in the box before being denied by Keogh’s outstretched leg, and Acquaye forcing the Knaphill keeper into an excellent one-handed save from a corner.

Knaphill were denied a second goal before the break when a corner struck a Horley hand before bouncing onto Wensley’s arm as he appealed. He volleyed the rebound into the top corner, but the referee disallowed it for the handball against him. Murdoch forced another stop before Kendall struck the bar with a header right on the stroke of half time. Knaphill went into the break 1–0 ahead.

The second half began perfectly for the hosts. Keogh launched a long ball forward, Collins cushioned a header into Murdoch’s path, and the striker timed his run superbly before breaking clear and finishing calmly.

Knaphill then freshened their shape as Souza replaced Cheek, followed by Webster Stack coming on for Baisden to add fresh legs. Knaphill continued to carve out chances, with Halloufi breaking clear and slipping a clever pass into Woolgar, whose clipped lob to the far post found Murdoch. He swivelled and struck first time, but his effort crashed against the bar. Moment later Sackey then cut inside, beat three players and prodded a low effort narrowly past the post.

With the game entering its final stages, Knaphill made a tactical change by bringing King on for Murdoch, adding an extra midfielder to secure control in the middle of the pitch. Mitchell replaced Woolgar shortly afterwards to bring fresh legs into the front line.

Horley pushed for a route back but found Knaphill disciplined and organised. Burnham received a late caution, yet Knaphill managed the final minutes with composure and focus.

It rounded off a strong all-round display from Knaphill, built on intensity, composure in key moments and effective game management. The result moves them up to second in the table and reflects a performance that had purpose at both ends of the pitch.

Lineups

Knaphill

Keogh, Halloufi (Sackey 67), Stanic-Stewart, Burnham, Wensley, Baisden (Webster Stack 58), Cheek (Souza 52), Throp, Murdoch (King 76), Woolgar (Mitchell 76), Collins.

Substitutes:

Horley Town

Saward, Dyson, Bell, Moody, Carrington, Colman, Gyeabour, Aziz (Desanges 61), Kendall, Acquaye, Trevatt.

Substitutes

McCarthy, Marney, Mercer, Benbow.