Both teams appeared ready for this Cup Match, but the Knights applied the early pressure; the corner was taken by Garland, and the presence of Holloway, Holland and Hooper helped confusion the Haslemere defence. But Haslemere kept their heads and clear the ball away well. Haslemere then mounted an attack, sending the ball high into the Knights area, Tadd, the Knights keeper was unsighted but Garland was there to tidy up. As Haslemere started to force the play, a good clearance by Blackbourn gave Holland the opportunity to clear; he released Holloway goal-ward. Holloway headed for goal, rounding a defender on route before slotting home the opening goal of the match. As the half progressed, a well taken drop-kick by Tadd, sent Hooper on a forward run; Hooper fired in a fierce cross but the Haslemere keeper reacted quickly and safety collected the ball, stopping this promising Knights attack. A Haslemere throw-in was incepted by Holloway, who, without hesitation tried his luck, which brought off a good save by the Haslemere keeper, denying the Knights the opportunity of extending their lead. Haslemere kept coming forward and were soon rewarded with a corner; a well taken corner allowed a lone striker the chance to shoot, but Tadd saved. Courtnage and Owen were standing firm in defence, and quickly released the ball for Powell, he in turn slipped the ball to Gardener, who, with the assistance of Doel, forced Haslemere onto the back foot. Gardener flicked the ball to Holloway but his attempted cross was just too close to the Haslemere keeper. As the half was coming to an end, Sellitto and Hooper combined to released Holland and Holloway, Holloway quickly took control, and by using good individual skills had the opportunity to cross. As the cross came in Doel reacted quickly, firing goal-ward a powerful shot, but the Haslemere keeper was alert and made a great save, and gathered the ball before it could find the back of the net. Just before half time, a miss-placed pass by Haslemere gave Choularton an opening, but his effort went wide.
As the 2nd half started, Haslemere pressed forward, but the Knights defence of Courtnage, Garland, Owen and Choularton stood firm. Haslemere appeared confident, forcing the play in the Knights half; a high looping ball entered the Knights area, but Tadd and Garland were there to clear the ball away. As Haslemere were building up a head of steam, more scoring opportunities arose; from one such attack a lone striker bore down on goal, and he fired in a powerful shot, Tadd dived but the ball was just out of his reach, giving Haslemere the equaliser. The Knights then started forcing the play, and from a throw-in taken by Hooper, Gardener tried his luck, but the Haslemere keeper saved this well. The Knights then were awarded a corner, Garland sent the ball high into the danger zone where Holland rose to head the ball; but again the Haslemere keeper was alert and saved the day. The clock was ticking and extra time look likely, but the Knights kept trying to find the winner; efforts by Hooper, Sellitto and Owen all brought out the best in the Haslemere keeper, which kept both teams on equal terms. Haslemere also never stopped trying to find that winning goal, and forced the Knights to concede a corner, late in the half. The corner was well taken, and it appeared that every player on the field, were camped inside the Knights penalty area. As the ball came across, Rust was unsighted, not seeing the ball until it was too late; he was unable to gather the ball due to the mass of players in his way. A Haslemere striker quickly stuck out a boot and managed to force the ball over the line, scoring the winning goal, seconds before the final whistle. This was a well fought match, with both teams giving their all, and on the day, Haslemere were victorious; all that remained for the Knights was who would be awarded man of the match; the decision was made and Gardener was given the honour.
