As the match got underway, both teams began passing the ball around mid-field, sizing each other up; the first attack came from Rushmoor, but the defensive team of Blackbourn, Greenaway and Komboni held the Rushmoor attackers at bay. From defence Greenaway released the ball for Doel to collect; he then turned and rounded a Rushmoor player before sending Holloway on his way with a telling pass. Holloway controlled the ball but his effort was well saved by the Rushmoor keeper, stopping what looked like a certain goal for the Knights. The Knights then appeared to go on a major offensive, attacking the Rushmoor goal time and time again; Blackbourn from defence tried his luck from long range, and his effort was deflected off a Rushmoor defender before ending up in their keeper’s grateful arms. As the Knights started to string a few passes together Holloway and Doel combined before passing the ball towards Borachan who was in the Rushmoor penalty area; however, the pace of the ball was just too quick for Borachan, so the ball drifted behind for a goal kick. From this moment on the Rushmoor team began marking the Knights man for man, which put a stop to the Knights having a free run towards the Rushmoor goal. However, Komboni managed to find some space, and he fired the ball up-field for Borachan to chase, with Courtnage drawing a defender away, Borachan headed for goal shooting and bringing out yet another good save from the Rushmoor keeper. On another attack by the Knights, Powell release the ball to Holloway, who starting a long run towards goal; as he past 2 Rushmoor players the opportunity to shoot opened up, but again the Rushmoor keeper gathered the ball, denying the Knights from scoring. As the half was drawing to a close, the Knights could sense that a goal was on the cards, and a further attack involving Holloway and Courtnage, Courtnage tried his luck but his shot resulted in another fine saved from the Rushmoor keeper. On the odd occasion that Rushmoor pushed forward they found Komboni and Choularton in their way, with Blackbourn and Greenaway helping out too. Tadd, the Knights keeper had nothing to do throughout the 1st half until now; he collected the ball and looking up quickly sent Powell on his way towards the Rushmoor goal. As Powell rounded a Rushmoor defender he saw Courtnage on the wing, Powell passed the ball quickly to Courtnage, he pounced on the ball and fired the ball towards the Rushmoor goal. The ball skipped passed the Rushmoor keeper but not the post; Holloway was following up and collected the rebound, slotting home the 1st goal of the match, 1-0 Knights. Rushmoor never gave up, pushing forward, putting pressure on the Knights defence but on this occasion Greenaway thumped the ball up-field, removing the danger. Rushmoor again came forward and shooting goal ward, forcing Tadd to turn the ball around the post for a Rushmoor corner; this was cleared by Blackbourn, Choularton and Doel.
From the whistle, Borachan and Powell laid the ball back to Komboni who went for goal but the Rushmoor keeper was alert and dealt well with the shot. Rushmoor then came forward, forcing the Knights back and a challenge from Choularton was deemed unfair and Rushmoor were awarded a free-kick just outside the Knights penalty area. As the kick was taken the Rushmoor attacker went directly for goal but Tadd was constantly watching the play and quickly collected the ball, stopping a potentially dangerous situation. The Knights then went on the attack again, and efforts from Holloway, Powell, Doel and Courtnage were all saved by the keeper. Hooper was brought on to add speed down the right wing, and shortly after coming on Hooper was in the thick play; crossing the ball for Borachan, whose effort went wide of the mark; moments later Holloway attempt ended up in the side netting. All these efforts on goal by the Knights with no reward seem to dishearten the players; Rushmoor seized on this and quickly attacked the Knights goal. A lone attacker collected the ball and with only Tadd to beat, he cleverly curved the ball around him and into the back of the net. The Knights kept pushing forward, trying to regain the lead with Doel, Hooper and Holloway forcing the Rushmoor keeper to save and then save again. Rushmoor had a renewed confidence, and pushed into the Knights half once again; a Rushmoor attacker set off down the wing, ending up right on the base line, he looked up and crossed the ball; somehow the ball sailed into the Knights penalty area, foxing everyone, and the ball hit the back post and settled over the goal line for a second time, putting Rushmoor into the lead. The Knights went forward from the re-start, and again the Rushmoor keeper kept their goal safe, stopping Holloway, Doel, Powell and Hooper from equalising. With only seconds remaining, the Knights were awarded a free-kick as Doel was brought down; Holloway stepped up to take. He sent the ball into the penalty area where Doel raced onto it but his header went just inches wide of the post; this was to be the final action of the match. With a hard decision to make, concerning the man of the match award, the manager thought long and hard, before finally decided that Courtnage deserved the award, due to his work rate up front and in defence.
