As soon as this match started, Cove roared forward, passing the ball towards the Knights danger zone but Choularton, Courtnage, Garland and Komboni stood firm at the expense of a corner, but Cove were unable to benefit from this. A short time after this, Owen released Hooper up-field; he rounded a defender before slipping the ball to Gardener who fired goal-ward; this brought off a good save by the Cove keeper but he was unable to hold onto the ball. First to react was Sellitto, but a quick footed defender managed to divert the ball for a Knights corner; Holloway took but his cross just drifted out of play. Cove then came again, attacking through the middle of the park, Holland and Komboni closed them down but not before a Cove striker slipped the ball past them. Rust, the Knights keeper was quick to see the danger, and soon gathered the ball safely in his arms. As the Knights started to build an attack, a loose ball allowed Cove to intercept; and they quickly sent their forwards goal-ward; Courtnage and Komboni stood in their way but a well times cross saw the Knights a little exposed – but Garland was there to thump the ball clear. Both teams were working hard and from a poorly taken Cove goal-kick Gardener quickly took control of the ball, releasing Holloway; Holloway had little time as the Cove defence rallied towards him, and his final effort went wide. A few minutes later, another poorly taken goal-kick saw Sellitto collect the ball, aided by Holland and Holloway the Knights assaulted the Cove goal, but good defensive work put pay to a goal scoring opportunity. As the minutes were ticking away Cove came again, Doel and Owen worked well to take the ball away from the Cove forwards, allowing Holland to loft the ball high into the Cove half; Holloway reacted and flicked the ball off a Cove defender where Sellitto collected. Sellitto turned and headed for goal, slotting home the opening goal for the Knights, right on the stroke of half-time.
The 2nd half started with Cove applying the pressure, making the entire Knights team work hard in defence, and it seem like Cove were camped in the Knights half. From a well worked Cove attack, Komboni managed to clear the ball away for a corner; this was well taken and Tadd pulled off a good save to deny Cove their equaliser. Cove just kept coming forward, but the Knights defence held firm; Blackbourn and Powell managed to get hold of the ball before Holland took control, without pausing Holland flicked the ball forward and gave chase. Holland ran the ball from deep within his own half all the way into the Cove penalty area, where he quickly looked up before firing home a great individual goal, giving the Knights a 2-0 lead. This only seemed to push Cove into attacking more, and soon they were deep in the Knights territory, and as a high ball came into the danger zone, Garland rose above everyone to head the ball into touch. From the resulting corner the Knights failed to clear the ball and a powerful effort on goal found the back of the net, giving Cove hope but time might be against them. The Knights then won a throw-in deep inside Cove’s half of the pitch; taken by Komboni and flicked on by Holland but Cove defended well and soon lofted the ball forward. By passing the ball well, Cove were soon threatening the Knights goal, and a well placed cross created a golden opportunity for them to equalise, but the pace on the ball was just a little too much for the attacker to control – a let off for the Knights. With moments remaining Komboni took another throw-in, which released Powell, but his effort went wide; this was the last action of the match. Now came the decision, of who would be Man of the Match; the first name that came to mind was Komboni, and this was because of the way he played his defensive role, standing firm from start to finish, being the rock at the heart of the Knights defence.
