Very happy win away for the Kingfishers!
Knaphill 1 – 2 Thatcham Town
Thatcham picked up an unexpected three points thanks to two first-half goals and some resolute second-half defending.
A nine-game unbeaten run had pushed Knaphill up to second, and having scored five at Tooting & Mitcham in midweek they might have expected a comfortable game against 19th placed opposition. But Thatcham started promisingly in the pouring rain, forcing a couple of early corners. Then Mackenzie Creech and Kenny Antony had time to fire shots on goal which Harvey Keogh was equal to.
However, Knaphill also looked menacing and had chances of their own, with Jack Phillips having their best opportunity, whipping one just over from 12 yards.
On 28 minutes, the Kingfishers made the breakthrough after Archie Goode was tripped in the penalty area. Goode’s spot-kick was saved by Keogh, who also blocked the follow-up, but Ben Anderson was on hand to knock the loose ball home.
Just two minutes later, Thatcham made it two, as Antony put Anderson in space and the forward’s cross-shot was tapped in at the far post by Goode.
But Thatcham were fortunate to reach half-time unscathed as Ross Murdoch mis-cued from the middle of goal, then the same player rounded Hugh Scott but Archie Denton slid in to make a goal-saving clearance.
Knaphill began the second-half strongly, as they sought to make amends for a sloppy first-half, forcing a succession of corners. Denton and Scott made crucial interventions and Murdoch put a close-range header over the bar. But Murdoch made amends with a low finish from ten yards on the hour mark to pull it back to 1-2.
With Anderson and Rowan Clark withdrawn through injury, it only seemed a matter of time that Knaphill would level. Scott made a point-blank save, then Phillips took aim from 20 yards but saw his shot rebound off the inside of the post.
In the closing minutes Thatcham had chances to extend the lead on the counter-attack as Goode fired a shot wide, then saw a near-post flick saved. Dan Parry’s firm shot was then parried wide by the keeper. Deep into injury time the Knappers’ captain Dale Burnham headed wide from the centre of goal which proved to be the final chance, as Town held on for a much-needed victory – and it ended.2:1 to the Kingfishers.
Cameron Philbey’s side face the daunting task of hosting runaway leaders Cobham on Tuesday, before embarking on a run of games against bottom-half opposition.
On top of Saturday’s morale-boosting win, Town will be lifted by the return of captain Callum Willmoth from suspension, while both Callum Winchcombe and Kye Williams are nearing fitness.
Photos by kind permission of Thatcham Town Football Club
