The Knights starting attacking straight from the whistle, with Doel and Holloway combining; but the Eagles stood their ground, and stopped this promising attack, at the expense of a corner. Taken by Holloway, both Choularton and Doel rose into the air trying to head the opening goal, but neither could make contact with the ball. The Eagles then mounted an attack, pushing forward to create an opportunity; Tadd, the Knights keeper, was on hand to quickly gather the ball; stubbing out this attack. Komboni then took charge of the ball, moving forward releasing Courtnage; he turned a defender before passing to Doel, but his effort was turned away for a corner by the Eagles keeper. Holloway again took, sending the ball high into the Eagles danger zone; Doel rose into the air and headed the ball into the back of the net, giving the Eagles keeper no change, 1-0 Knights. From this point on the Knights mounted attack after attack; Courtnage fired in a powerful shot but this was well blocked, the ball rebounded to Hooper, however, his effort too was blocked. Courtnage and Doel then foraged forward, but the Eagles keeper kept his head, and quickly gathered the ball to stop another Knights attack. Hooper then collected the ball, and by using good individual skills, mounted a solo effort on goal, but this was saved by the keeper; Holloway followed in but his shot went wide of the target. From defence Blackbourn clear the ball up-field, where Komboni turned and release Doel, Doel moved the ball back to Holloway, he raced into the penalty area, and a late challenge by an Eagles defender, brought Holloway down – a penalty was awarded. Holloway placed the ball, and fired goal-ward, but again the Eagles keeper saved well, holding onto the ball and keeping the Knights lead to the single goal. Komboni and Doel combined again, racing forward; Doel’s effort was parried by the keeper, Holloway pounced but sent the ball over the bar. The next Knights attack involved Powell and Hooper, but again the Eagles keeper rose to the challenge, gathering the ball safely in his arms. As the seconds ticked away, Komboni tried from long range, and the Eagles keeper was there again to stop a certain goal; Choularton, Courtnage and Holloway used good interplay, but were still unable to break through the Eagles keeper.
As the 2nd half kick-off, Komboni launched a long ball forward for Powell to chase; his effort on goal was turned away for a corner by the in-form Eagles keeper. The corner was taken short, Holloway to Courtnage and back to Holloway, but his powerful shot just went over the bar. The Knights were awarded a throw-in, quickly taken by Komboni, but a quick reaction by the Eagles defence, soon brought an end to a promising attack. From this moment on, the Knights bombarded the Eagles goal, bringing out save after save, there were shots from Holloway, Choularton, Courtnage, Powell and Hooper, but nothing was getting past the Eagles keeper. The Eagles never stopped trying, and they soon found themselves deep in the Knights half, forcing Blackbourn into making a good block, at the expense of a corner. As the corner came in, it drifted harmlessly through the Knights penalty area, where Doel collected and sent Hooper goal-ward. Hooper crossed the ball into the danger zone, where Courtnage had positioned himself; he volleyed the ball goal-ward, which brought off a great save by the Eagles keeper. As the half was drawing to a close, the Eagles fought their way forward; a lone striker took aim from distance, sending the ball high towards the knights goal; Tadd reacted quickly, turning the ball away from the goal, but in the process, hit his head against the post, bringing the game to a halt, while getting treatment. As the match re-started the Eagles were on the attack but this was brought to an end by the referees whistle; all that remained now was who would be awarded man of the match. The manager decided that Tadd, the Knights keeper was deserving of the award, because of the way he bravely turned away the Eagles last ditch attempt on goal.
