Knaphill FC secured a 3-0 victory over Sandhurst Town in a match where the visitors created more chances but failed to capitalise. Knaphill, on the other hand, were clinical on the counter-attack, taking advantage of key moments to score through Ross Cheek, Ben Mitchell, and Rahman Ajibola.

First Half:
Knaphill's opener came in the 2nd minute when George Frith held off a Sandhurst player and played the ball to Aidan King, who found Jack Carrod on the left side. Carrod passed centrally to Ben Mitchell, who saw the run of Ross Cheek, and Cheek lobbed the goalkeeper from 25 yards out for a composed finish.

In response, Sandhurst applied immediate pressure and nearly equalised in the 5th minute with a long-range shot that forced Sam Gray into a fingertip save, tipping the ball over the bar. Sandhurst continued to create opportunities, but it looked particularly dangerous in the 24th minute when Shane Qoloni found himself one-on-one with Gray. Still, the Knaphill keeper stayed big and made a crucial save to deny the visitors.

Despite Sandhurst's dominance in possession and chances, Knaphill's defence held firm, and the home side went into halftime with a 1-0 lead. Adam Maadani was booked for Sandhurst in the 32nd minute, and Aidan King and George Frith picked up yellow cards for Knaphill before the break.

Second Half:
The second half saw Sandhurst continue to create opportunities. In the 50th minute, a shot across Knaphill's goal from the right side forced Sam Gray into another key save, tipping the ball around the post. However, it was Knaphill who struck again moments later on the counter. Ben Mitchell, picking up the ball halfway between the halfway line and the edge of the penalty box, weaved past three Sandhurst defenders and unleashed a low shot into the bottom left-hand corner from outside the box to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute.

Despite their strong attacking play, Sandhurst struggled to break down Knaphill's defence and squandered several opportunities to get back into the game. Shane Qoloni was a constant threat, driving at Knaphill's back line and creating chances, but his efforts and Sandhurst's finishing couldn't find a way past Sam Gray.

Knaphill sealed the result in the 81st minute with a textbook counter-attack. Ben Mitchell picked up the ball on the halfway line, drove forward, beating three Sandhurst defenders before squaring it to Rahman Ajibola, who calmly slotted the ball into the right-hand corner to make it 3-0.

Final Thoughts:
Sandhurst had more chances and looked dangerous throughout the match, but their failure to finish and Sam Gray's excellent goalkeeping kept them from scoring. Knaphill, on the other hand, were clinical on the counter-attack, taking their few chances with precision. Ross Cheek's early lob, Ben Mitchell's brilliant solo effort, and Rahman Ajibola's composed finish sealed a 3-0 win for Knaphill.

Lineups:

Knaphill FC: Gray, Orisatoki (Bower 60), Glover, Frith (Ajibola 59), Burnham, McLean, Cheek (Frempong-Manso 83), Watts (C), Carrod, King, Mitchell (Safou-Mbouma 90+2).
Unused Subs: Cooper-Smith.

Sandhurst Town: Scott, Maadani, Phillips, Huhulea, Elliott, Brewer (Allison 66), Qoloni, Sell, Black (C), Fashanu, Carter (Kamuabo 67).
Unused subs: Varns, Bath, Brough.

Full-time: Knaphill 3-0 Sandhurst Town
Halftime: Knaphill 1-0 Sandhurst Town
Venue: Redding Way, Knaphill
Attendance: 88
Competition: Combined Counties League Premier Division South
Kick-off: 7:45 PM

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