Knaphill entered the afternoon as league leaders but faced a tough challenge against a Redhill side that had played three fewer games but had a 100% win rate. Knaphill proved difficult to break down, holding their shape well, but Redhill's dominance eventually paid off. An unfortunate own goal in the 63rd minute handed the hosts a narrow 1-0 victory.

First Half:

Both teams exchanged early chances. In the 8th minute, Aidan King had a free kick from distance, but the Redhill keeper comfortably saved it. Sam Gray was called into action a minute later, pulling off a brilliant save to push a Redhill effort wide of the post.

Redhill continued to apply pressure, and in the 12th minute, Ethan Ford came close with a powerful downward header that bounced off the crossbar. Two minutes later, Redhill’s Jaevon Dyer found himself through on goal in a one-on-one with Gray, but the Knaphill goalkeeper got down quickly and smothered the ball to deny Redhill a clear opportunity.

Knaphill’s defence was tested again in the 36th minute when Nathan Hogan unleashed a shot outside the area. Sam Gray got down quickly to his left to make another crucial save, keeping the game scoreless. In the 42nd minute, Dale Burnham ended up in the book after a tackle that the referee judged reckless. Then, in the 45+3 minute stoppage time, Gray made another key stop, parrying away a long-range effort to keep Redhill at bay as the teams headed into the half-time interval.

Despite the intense first half, the score remained at 0-0.

Second Half:

Redhill continued to press early in the second half and nearly took the lead in the 56th minute when they won a free kick. Nathan Hogan stepped up and sent a curling effort just wide of the left-hand post, narrowly missing the target.

The deadlock was broken in the 63rd minute when a cross from the right-hand side found Ethan Ford unmarked at the back post. Ford’s attempted shot was driven low across goal and deflected off Jack Watts, who was helpless as the ball ricocheted into the net for an unfortunate own goal, giving Redhill the lead.

Knaphill made a double substitution in the 70th minute, introducing Blessing Hambessa for Rahman Ajibola and Jamari Jackson for Alex McLean, as they sought to add fresh legs to their attack. Daryl Cooper-Smith was brought on in the 82nd minute to make his Knaphill debut and push for an equaliser.

Knaphill had a half-chance in the 82nd minute when the ball came out to David Orisatoki, who chested it down and fired a half-volley just wide of the left post. Redhill responded in the 87th minute with another shot from Nathan Hogan, but Sam Gray was again there to make the save, with the rebound being cleared by Dale Burnham. In the 90th minute, Gray was called into action again, making a crucial save before Knaphill’s defence scrambled the ball clear to keep their hopes alive.

As the game entered its final stages, Jack Watts picked up a booking in stoppage time, rounding off a challenging afternoon for Knaphill.

Final Thoughts:

Although Knaphill were difficult to break down defensively and kept their shape well throughout, Redhill's overall dominance eventually resulted in an own goal. Ethan Ford’s driven shot across goal, following a cross from the right, led to the decisive moment as Redhill secured the win and maintained their perfect record. Knaphill, now third in the standings, will look to regroup and regain momentum going into their next game at home to Tadley Calleva on Saturday 14 September.

Lineups:

Redhill: Roberts, Dyett, Fraser (C) (Quintyne 82), Smith, Ford (Gunay 84), Hogan, Allen, Dyer (Paddi Harland-Goddard 70), FitzGerald, Grant, Tauta-Caballero (Tom Harland-Goddard 69).
Unused subs: Jay Simpson.

Knaphill: Gray, Watts (C), Burnham, Glover, Bower, McLean (Jackson 70), Orisatoki (Cooper-Smith 82), Carrod, King, Ajibola (Hambessa 70), Mitchell.
Unused subs: Frempong-Manso, Ebireri.

Full-time: Redhill 1-0 Knaphill
Half-time: Redhill 0-0 Knaphill
Venue: Kiln Brow
Attendance: 156
Competition: Combined Counties League Premier Division South
Kick-off: 3pm

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