The Knights started the match with a quick attack; Hooper moved the ball to Sellitto, a quick pass and move with Holloway gave Sellitto the opportunity to cross. Doel rose into the air and headed back into the danger zone, Sellitto headed for goal but the Cove keeper safely gathered the ball. A few moments later Komboni sent Owen forward, Owen took aim and fired in a shot but again the Cove keeper was alert to the danger. As the Knights applied the pressure Cove conceded a corner; Garland took and Holloway reacted first, shooting goal-ward, but a well placed defender blocked his effort and cleared the danger away. Cove then mounted an attack, passing the ball well down the wing but as the cross came in, a couple of Cove attackers wandered off-side, bringing this promising attack to an end. As quickly as the Knights cleared their lines, Cove attacked again, a quick effort on goal brought Tadd, the Knights keeper into play, who dealt with the shot well. The Knights then re-organised and went on the attack, Blackbourn was first to shoot but his effort went wide; closely followed by efforts from Hooper, Owen, Holloway and Doel, but the Cove defence stood firm. The match then became more open, with both teams playing well, and both teams freely moving the ball from end to end, but the final efforts on goal were wide of the mark. Cove then started to control the mid-field, as they appeared to be more determined to win the ball; Cove forced the ball into the Knights danger zone but Courtnage, Powell, Gardener and Gundry rallied together to stop each Cove attack. Both teams now were seeking the opening goal, and from a quick clearance by Komboni and Owen, Holloway and Doel saw themselves bearing down on the Cove goal; but the Cove defence stood strong and forced Holloway to shot wide.
Cove started the 2nd half strongly, forcing the Knights onto the back foot; but Courtnage, Komboni, Gardener, Powell and Gundry ensured that all routes towards goal were blocked. As the Knights played the ball up-field, Cove conceded a throw-in; Komboni took, and floated in a high ball, Doel and Sellitto caused confusion in Cove’s penalty area, and the ball found its way to Holloway. Without hesitation Holloway struck for goal, firing the ball into the back of the net, giving the Knights the opening goal of this exciting match. Within a few minutes, the Knights were awarded another throw-in; again Komboni sent the ball into the danger zone, partially cleared by Cove, Owen fired in a long range effort, which cleared the Cove keeper and found the back of the net, 2-0 Knights. This never stopped Cove from fighting their way forward, and soon they were attacking in numbers; Tadd rushed out and dived at the striker’s feet, stopping this attack. Cove kept the pressure on and were rewarded when a high ball cleared Tadd’s out-stretched arms, and a Cove striker headed in, to bring the score to 2-1. This inspired Cove to attack again, and 2 quick attacks nearly brought them their equaliser, but Gardener, Powell and Courtnage blocked these efforts. Owen then cleared the ball up-field where Powell released Sellitto who raced towards goal; after rounding a defender his whipped in a high attempt on goal, only to see his effort bounce back off the cross-bar, and Hooper was unlucky not to collect the loose ball. Cove then launched a high ball forward, catching the Knights defence on the wrong foot; 3 Cove strikers raced towards goal, being out-numbered, Tadd came out to confront them, but was well beaten by a well placed shot, bringing the score to 2-2. This was a hard fought match and both teams deserved more, but a draw was a fair result at the end of the day. The manager then had to decide who was to be man of the match and Powell was chosen for his commitment and hard work he showed throughout the entire match.
