This was by far the best performance the girls have put in this season.  In a superb match, which was a great advert for girls football, Reading were cruelly defeated by a last gasp goal, as Knaphill narrowly maintained their grip on the top spot in the table.

The standard of play was high throughout.  Both sides wanted to play football, but the work rate of both teams, in closing down opponents and strong tackling, was of such top quality that clear chances were very hard to come by in an even first half.

The defence was bolstered by the return of Sian ‘Spoony’ Wylie who with Rachel Stout both had excellent games at full back.  Rachel certainly knew she had been in a game by the end!  Katie Dennis and Charlotte Muzeen were both having their best games of the season.  Katie put in a number of superb tackles and if Katie missed anything Charlotte read the game very well and cleared any danger.  In fact during the first half Knaphill were reduced to a couple of very dangerous crosses and a few long range efforts.

In a very tight midfield battle, Jade Searle again looked very comfortable in the holding midfield role.  This released Hannah Sheehan who was looking for the room to create chances for the front line of Millie Bilcliff and Mel Saunders, plus bring the wide players into the game. 

It was also good to see Olivia Gardiner back fully fit and, with Sophie Pearce they tried to provide as much width as possible, although the pitch wasn’t the widest we’ve played on this season.   Knaphill were strong in midfield, however all the Reading midfield worked tirelessly to snuff out the threat.

As much as Reading nullified the threat of the Knaphill forwards, equally the Knaphill defence was also on top form.  Hannah, Mel and Livvy all threatened to put Millie clear and if it had not been, for an excellent performance from the Knaphill sweeper Reading may well have been in front at the break.  With defences on top, the game remained goal-less at half time.

The second half pretty much mirrored the first, however Knaphill were just starting to get on top a bit and the girls really had to dig deep. The team likes to play its football, however in this performance showed they can more than match teams for sheer grit and determination, to compliment the skill on show.

Another feature of this game was the fitness of both sides with the game played at a fast pace throughout.  Tackles were starting to fly in as both teams sought the opening goal.  Kathryn Wood in the Reading goal had an excellent second half, especially when acting as a second sweeper a couple of times, to run out and clear the danger, as Knaphill pushed Reading back.

The game sprang into life with 15 minutes to go.  A Knaphill cross from the right fell invitingly into the box and the forward reacted well to the loose ball to fire home.  As so often happens in football after no goals, we got two in a minute.  From the kick off Hannah scooped a long pass forward which sat up nicely for Millie to chase and not only did MILLIE do very well to force an error, but did even better to volley home the loose ball for the equaliser.  This triggered a memorable goal celebration, as Mills ran 50 yards to give the manager Louise (lost her voice!) a get well soon hug and surely puts her firmly in the running for the Managers Player of the Year!!

Reading were now on the front foot.  Mel had delivered a number of quality corners, and finally found that elusive bit of space on the edge of the box, however her well placed shot was superbly tipped round the post.  Then Millie put Megan Heybourne clear on the left, but Megs just couldn’t find enough power to trouble the keeper.  Hannah’s free kick was so nearly forced home by Millie, as Reading finished strongly.

The final action of the game was heartbreak for Reading.  It is an old cliché in football that neither side deserved to lose, but if ever that applied to a game, it was this one.  However, in the final minute the right midfield player burst onto a loose ball from a free kick and strode forward to apply a quality finish into the corner of the net.  I think the Knaphill celebrations said it all about what a fantastic game this was and how much it meant to them to get the 3 points.

Well done to both sets of players for providing such an excellent game of football.  From a Reading perspective every player was outstanding and set the standard for the rest of the season!

Best wishes to the gaffer Louise who has lost her voice, although she still managed to croak out a few words of encouragement.  Hopefully our long term casualty Tiff will have her knee scanned this week and get the all clear to play again soon.

LC