A 16th minute goal from Fareham Town striker, Simon Woods clinched victory on the road in this Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at the Surrey Hire Stadium. In blisteringly hot conditions it was a tough task ask to get back into the game but all the time it was only 1-0 there was hope.
Knaphill started slowly and gave the visitors too many sights at goal early on with Richard Ossai punching a dangerous cross away on 6 minutes and two minutes later Garry Austin muscled his way through before lobbing Ossai but only finding the side netting. In their next attack a right wing cross was handled by Daniel Taylor and the Referee, Ollie Davies awarded a penalty. Fortunately for Knaphill the spot kick was wasted by Curt Robbins who blazed his attempt over the bar.
The Knappers registered their first effort on 12 minutes with Carlo Santoro smacking an effort high and wide. On 16 minutes Woods got what proved to be the winner. Receiving the ball 40 yards from goal he twisted and turned past three defenders before firing under Ossai from 16 yards. Although close control and skill created the chance, Knaphill will be kicking themselves for allowing the chance without putting in a worthwhile challenge.
Knaphill did come into the game after falling behind forcing some corners and from one of these, Dale Burnham volleyed a good chance wide, having saud that he did well to get on the end of the cross. In the 42nd minute another corner led to panic in the Fareham six yard box with two efforts well blocked. Just before half time Marcus Mealing reacted quickest to another corner but only managed to stab his effort against the post.
Knappers Manager, Luke Tuffs opted for a change at half time with Burnham replaced by Victor Ocansey. There was a second penalty appeal for the visitors in the 50th minute as Woods went down but the Referee cautioned him for simulation. Knaphill’s best chance of the second half came on 55 minutes when Mealing went on a mazy run, similar to Woods for Fareham’s goal, but he opted to try and lift the ball over Ross Casey who managed to claw the ball away. Credit to both sets of players for not wilting in the searing heat but any goalmouth action became sporadic. Kane Fitzgerald, Knaphill’s most positive player on the day was also cautioned for simulation when on another day a referee might have given a penalty. There was no grandstand finish as Fareham were solid at the back apart from a couple of dodgy clearances from Casey and try as he might, it wasn’t Matt Bunyans day for Knaphill as he was constantly crowded out. Both side made use of their substitutions and as the final whistle sounded it was the large contingent from Fareham who went home happy as their FA Cup adventure continues. As for Knaphill they will have to recover quickly with Sheerwater visiting on Monday for an 11.30am kick off.
Knaphill – Ossai, Davies, Taylor, Fitzgerald, Spiers, Burnham, Santoro, Bello-Balogun, Mealing, Bunyan,Sackey.
Subs Used – Ocansey, Welch, Manangu
Fareham Town – Casey, Messingbird, Harris, Wilcox, Jones, Moody, Settle, Robbins, Woods, Austin, Stockford
Subs Used – Slade, Cooper
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