The Knights attacked from the starting whistle, with a cross by Powell giving Courtnage a run at goal, but the Tigers defence cleared. Then the Tigers mounted an attack, forcing the Knights Defence of Blackbourn, Choularton and Komboni to stop them in their tracks, but at the expense of a corner. The play was end to end, with both sides attacking and then defending; a Knights throw-in taken by Komboni, released Powell, who set off towards the Tigers Goal, with Holloway in support, Courtnage flew down the wing, he shot but the Tigers keeper collected safely. As the Tigers forced the play the Knights conceded another corner, as the Tigers crowded the area the ball came across, Tadd, the Knights keeper felt that the ball would safely clear the danger zone, but it didn’t; the ball curled onto the back post and rebounded into the net, 1-0 to the Tigers. From the re-start Holloway set off goal-ward, rounding a defender before letting fly a shot, but again the Tigers Keeper rose to the challenge. He quickly released the ball and set the Tigers on another attack, and by passing the ball quickly, the Tigers soon added another goal, leaving the Knights slightly down-hearted. Doel and Hooper than got in on the act, working their way forward towards the Tigers goal; Doel struck a powerful effort on goal, but this was well saved, but the keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball. Holloway pounced but just couldn’t reach the ball in time before a Tigers defender clear the danger away. As the half was drawing to a close, Greenaway passed the ball to Doel, and linking with Choularton forced their way into the Tigers half of the pitch. As Doel could see no way forward, he laid the ball back for Komboni, who, without hesitation fired the ball goal-ward, but again the Tigers keeper was alert to the danger, and gathered the ball into his arms. With only a few seconds remaining, the Tigers launched a quick attack; a lone striker bore down towards the Knights goal, Tadd rushed out and diving to his left, managed to edge the ball away from the goal, but at the cost of a corner. As the corner came in, Tadd quickly collected, killing the threat, but before he could release Holloway, the half-time whistle blew.
Straight from the kick-off Doel intercepted the ball and released Holloway, but his effort went wide; from the goal-kick Doel again battled hard to gain control of the ball, winning it and slotting the ball forward for Hooper, but there was a little too much pace on the ball. Komboni then ventured forward, skipping past a defender before giving the ball to Holloway; he in turn found Doel but his shot deflected for a corner. On another Knights attack Doel again found himself bearing down towards the Tigers goal, but this time his effort was blocked, it rebounded towards Hooper, but he was unable to direct his shot on target. The Knights kept up their attacks and Hooper managed to find some space to fire home a goal, lifting the spirits of the Knights team. Blackbourn then slotted the ball forward for Komboni, he in turn found Doel, but again his effort was saved by the Tigers keeper. Later a throw-in taken by Komboni released Holloway, who rounded a defender before unfortunately sending the ball into the side netting, a let off for the Tigers. The Tigers then appeared to settle themselves, and soon found an opening; with a combination of good passing and running off the ball, a powerful shot was fired towards the Knights goal; Tadd stood no chance, and the Tigers increased their lead to 3-1. This seem to inspire the Tigers, and soon they were attacking again; this time Tadd managed to get a hand to the ball, but not enough to stop the ball ending up in the back of the net, 4-1 Tigers. Not long remaining now but this didn’t stop the Knights from attacking; Holloway broke free, and as he entered the Tigers penalty area he was brought down – penalty Knights; Holloway took, sending the ball into the back of the net, and as the Knights rallied to re-start the match, the ref blew the whistle for full time. A hard match for the Knights but an even harder decision by the manager to decide who would be man of the match, he consider all players but Doel came out on top; due to his work rate and commitment, plus his unselfish play made him deserving of the award.
