A 90th minute winner from Rob Parrott, pictured earned the three points for Knaphill on Saturday in a game they dominated in the first half and defended well in the second half when Spelthorne came into the game. Parrott lost his marker and lashed home following a corner from Jack Collins.
New signing, Ethan Allen went straight into the starting line up at left back in place of the suspended Jack Leighton and the youngster had a fine game, defending well and making some lung busting runs forward. Jimmy Norman returned to the side at the expense of Tuesday night’s goal-scorer, Luke Whiddett.
Coach, Alex Lumley, was very pleased after the game having worked on certain things in training last Thursday evening and the players carried out his wishes perfectly to earn the victory.
The first half was our best display for some time as we poured forward at times and looked dangerous, whilst at the back we kept our shape and defended well with Aaron Bufton communicating well in goal.
Danny Taylor appeared to be a marked man early on as he was upended at least three times, one particular challenge could easily have seen a red card but the referee deemed a yellow card as being sufficient. Taylor simply gets up and carries on and continues to be a constant danger in attack. Timmy Taylor hit the bar from 25 yards which was one of a number of chances we created in the opening half. Rob Kersley, had another dominant game in the centre of midfield and he saw a goal bound effort deflected for a corner. Jimmy Norman had two shots from distance saved and a couple of free kicks off target. Spelthorne attacked sporadically, Flatman bringing Bufton into action with a comfortable save and a couple of corners caused brief alarm but were dealt with.
Timmy Taylor and Connor Blanchard were direct in the second half down the flanks keeping Spelthorne on their toes. Shawn Lyle had a frustrating afternoon as he was well marshalled and didn’t get a sight of goal. Spelthorne took more chances in getting men forward and the back four had to be on their toes. Bufton was alert twice racing out to clear dangerous looking through balls.
Thorogood replaced Lyle and we upped the tempo again with the substitute prominent in getting us playing football in and around the box with neat passing, one twos and crosses in the box. Patel in the visitor’s goal was getting busier as Knaphill searched for a winner. Parrott reacted first at a corner but his header flew over and Danny Taylor found space but his effort was agonisingly wide. Norman squared a free kick to Timmy Taylor who saw his effort blocked and the defender appearing to handle as he got up but it would have been very harsh.
It had the feeling that all the good work could be undone as Spelthorne also came forward late on but just as it looked as though it would be finishing all square, up popped Parrott to stun Spelthorne in a crowded penalty area. This was a well earnt three points and our first clean sheet since early September.

Team: Bufton, Parrott, Allen, Norman, Collins, Rowley, Blanchard, Kersley, Lyle, D Taylor, T Taylor
Subs Used – Thorogood, Muir
Unused – Clement, Whiddett, Perks