Knaphill 3 Ash Utd 4

[Trentender]

Seven Goal Thriller

 

Knaphill were knocked out of the Premier Challenge Cup by Premier Division opponents Ash United in a seven goal thriller in this competitive 2nd round tie at Redding Way on Saturday. The scoreline could have produced more goals had both teams capitalised on several goal scoring opportunities, especially Knaphill which for them, could have changed the face of the result. Knaphill striker Ricky Hogsden netted another two goals, making a total of six from his last three games.

 

 

Starting brightly, Knaphill showed their early intent by initiating some neat moves, although their first efforts on goal saw Matt Edwards firing a tame shot easily gathered by the keeper, and Nick Darnell fired over the bar. Ash too made an early threat, when Kirkpatrick’s header was just wide of the post, and Richard Shelley made a timely save from Lydon before Ash took the lead after 17 minutes as Paul Bonner’s shot hit the underside of the bar and down just over the line.

 

 

Knaphill’s determination after that goal, got them back on level terms, Chris Fox gliding his well placed shot between the diving keeper and the post and into the right hand corner to make it 1-1 after 25 minutes. On the half hour, Edwards shot was blocked by Adlam the Ash keeper, with Knaphill attacking strongly, spurred on by the equaliser. But it was Ash who regained the lead in the 34 minute when Shaun Lydon exposed a thin line in the Knaphill defence leaving them floundering at the back as the striker kept control to drive past Shelley with ease.

 

 

Knaphill made an early impact at the start of the second half when Ricky Hogsden cut into the box to steer home his eighth goal of the season from 15 yards to level at 2-2. Less than two minutes later Knaphill again fell behind conceding a third goal after 48 minutes, scored by Lewis Parrish. Knaphill were denied a chance when Edwards tried to glide the ball round the keeper in a one on one situation, but Adlam saved at the feet of the Knaphill player.

 

 

In the 60th minute a good move involving James Wills, Hogsden and Fox, saw the latter blasting the ball over from 12 yards when it seemed easier to score. Soon after, Hogsden and Fox should have buried their chances eight yards out at a time that could have turned the tide in Knaphill’s favour.

 

 

In the 74th minute a dangerous break by the visitors was finished with a chip over Shelley by Paul Weatherall to stretch their lead to 4-2. Knaphill were in need of a final thrust to peg back and it became a tight finish when Hogsden slipped round the keeper to slot home his second and Knaphill’s third in the 90th minute. But time ran out for Knaphill as they made their exit from the competition.

 

 

Team: Shelley, Miles, Flynn, Tomlinson, Branch, Fox, Savage, Darnell, Cann(Wills), Edwards(Campbell), Hogsden

 

 

Subs Not Used: Walter, Harvey

 

Scorers: Hogsden 46mins & 90mins, Fox 25mins