A late start for the Knights but right from the off Courtnage floated a long ball forward for Doel and Hooper to chase. Hooper reached the ball first and without hesitation turned towards goal, firing a shot to the far post; however, the Warriors keeper stretched and pushed the ball safely around the post for a corner. The corner quickly taken by Holloway, Komboni and Greenaway combined but Greenaway’s effort went wide of the mark. As the match re-started Doel collected the ball and sent Holloway through towards goal, his effort rebounded off the Warriors keeper and Choularton reacted first, jumping into the path of the ball and clipping it into the net, 1-0 to the Knights. This spurred the Warriors into attack, but Courtnage, Greenaway and Komboni stood firm, forcing the Warriors away from goal. The Warriors did manage to break through down the left wing, and a quick cross was whipped into the Knights penalty area but Tadd, the Knights keeper reach above everybody to claim the ball. After a few minutes of pressure by the Warriors, the Knights sent the ball up-field; Borachan collected and was making his way towards the Warriors goal when a well timed tackle sent the ball into touch. Komboni took the throw-in, Greenaway passed the ball to Choularton who released Courtnage, Courtnage fired in a shot which beat everybody but not the post and the ball was cleared by the Warriors defence. Powell was brought on so that the Knights could take advantage of his speed, and within moments he and Hooper combined to put the Warriors goal under pressure; but the Warriors keeper managed to keep them at bay. From a quick break-away by the Warriors, using route one towards the Knights goal, they managed to get a lone striker bearing down towards goal; Tadd rushed out and forced the Warrior striker to shoot early, which meant that the ball drifted wide of the post. Another attack, mounted by the Warriors, saw the Knights defence come under pressure; Greenaway forced an attacker wide but he managed to fire in a powerful cross, this unfortunately took a wicked deflection, leaving Tadd and the remaining defenders unable to stop the ball from finding the back of the net, making the score 1-1. As the half was coming to a close, Borachan, Holloway and Doel broke away and headed towards the Warriors goal, but again the keeper was up to the challenge and stopped Doel from scoring just before half-time.
As the 2nd half got underway Holloway tried his luck from the centre spot but the Warrior keeper reacted quickly and collected the ball. The Knights appeared to be chasing more and more of the ball, closing down the Warriors at every opportunity; Choularton especially make a concerted effort to win every ball, and through one such determined challenge released the ball to Doel, whose effort was only just wide of the mark. The Warriors still kept up their part in the match and attacking quickly on the break; from one such attack a long looping ball entered the Knights penalty area and Tadd plus a lone attacker rose for the ball, Tadd managed to get his hand to the ball which forced the attacker to head the ball well wide of the goal. The Knights then went on an all out attack; first Kombonis header went over the bar, Borachans’ shot saved and Hooper found the side netting. Komboni then took a throw-in; Holloway and Choularton combined to open a goal scoring opportunity and unselfishly Choularton released Holloway who slotted home goal number 2 for the Knights. With the final whistle getting closer, the Warriors fought their way forward, and a striker, using good individual skills managed to get passed the Knights defence, and without thinking struck home an unstoppable shot, leaving Tadd no hope of denying the Warriors their equalising goal. The match ended in a draw, but the performance by the Knights should have resulted in a win, but it was not to be; all that remained was for the manager to select man of the Match; this week the decision was made easier by the dedication and total commitment made by this player – Choularton was therefore well deserving of this award.
