This was the Knights 1st home fixture and right from the start, both teams looked determined to fight for every ball. The Knights managed to force the Vikings into conceding an early throw-in, deep in their own half; taken by Komboni for Holland, but the Vikings keeper was the quickest to react, and safely collected the ball. The Vikings keeper released the ball, and very quickly the ball was travelling towards the Knights area; Garland and Courtnage moved to close down the advancing players, but a well timed cross saw the Knights exposed at the back. The ball travelled to a Vikings forward who, with good control slotted home the opening goal of the match leaving Tadd, the Knights keeper no chance. This inspired the Vikings to attack again, and from defence they mounted another assault on the Knights goal; Sellitto shadowed an attacker the full length of the pitch to deny him a shooting opportunity, but that didn’t stop the Vikings from firing in a long range effort; this time Tadd saw the danger and safely held onto the ball. Another attack from the Vikings soon saw the Knights defence of Garland, Courtnage, Komboni and Owen in action, and as they were working well as a team, this promising attack was brought to an end. The Knights then ‘found their feet’ and starting to apply the pressure; Owen released Doel, who flew down the wing firing the ball into the area for Holloway and Holland, but the Vikings defence managed to stem this attack at the expense of a throw-in. Komboni took allowing Holland the opportunity to head for goal, but his header went wide. As another attack by the Vikings was stopped by Courtnage, aided by Choularton, Owen, Powell and Hooper were sent up-field; as this Knights attack was building, Hooper slotted the ball to Holloway but this went wide. As the Knights forced the play, efforts by Powell, Hooper and Holloway were wide of the mark; as the goal-kick was taken, Holland intercepted, and he skilfully flicked the ball over the head of an advancing defender. Holland then quickly rounded the defender and struck for goal, scoring a marvellous goal. Straight from the re-start, the Knights applied the pressure again, and Gardener forced the Vikings into conceding another throw-in. Komboni took, launching the ball into the danger zone, and the Vikings defence was unable to clear; the ball fell at the feet of Garland, who, from outside the 18 yard box, fired the ball high into the penalty area. The ball looped towards the far post and took everyone by surprise and hit the back of the net, giving Garland his 1st goal of the season and the Knights 2nd of the match.
The 2nd half started in the same vein, with the Knights attacking hard; Blackbourn released the ball from defence, allowing Owen, Holland, Holloway and Gardener an opportunity to extend the Knights lead, and Gardener didn’t disappoint, firing home the Knights 3rd goal of the match. This never stopped the Vikings from coming forward, and soon they were attacking again; Komboni and Courtnage were unable to clear and Tadd, the Knights keeper was unsighted, which allowed the Vikings to score their 2nd goal. The Vikings then keep coming, forcing Choularton and Blackbourn to defend, forcing the Vikings to shot wide; from the resulting goal-kick, a Vikings attacker collect the ball and went for goal, placing the ball into the corner, giving them their equaliser. As the match was drawing to a close, the Knights mounted an attack, but efforts by Holland, Holloway, Hooper and Gardener were all beaten away by the Vikings defence; from one such attack, the Vikings clear their lines and caught the Knights flat footed, their winger crossed the ball into the Knights area but the attacker had wandered into an off-side position, so his goal was disallowed. Then with only moments remaining the Vikings attacked again, forcing Rust, to dive to his left to bring off a good save, stopping the Vikings from winning the match. It was now time to pick Man of the Match, and because of his individual goal in the 1st half, Holland was chosen to receive this award.
