KNAPHILL 2, BADSHOT LEA 0

AN early red card for goalkeeper Lee Allen proved too much of a handicap for Badshot Lea to overcome at Knaphill on Saturday.

The game was only a minute old when Charlie Postance was through in a one-on-one with Allen, a former Knaphill keeper. Allen attempted to clear the ball, but instead caught the striker and, following a discussion between referee and his assistant, was sent off.

Matt Stamp went in goal before substitute Luke Whiddett came on and took over the jersey. The Baggies had used three keepers in 15 minutes.

Understandably, the visitors got bodies behind the ball and prepared to defend and counter-attack. Indeed, Kurt Greenaway almost put the Baggies ahead with a vicious, swerving effort that was tipped round the post by Alex Harris at full stretch.

Whiddett proved no slouch between the posts and Badshot Lea were still well in contention after a goalless first half.

Knaphill showed more urgency on the restart, but still the Baggies resisted gamely. Whiddett saved well from Brad Thomas and Eddie Mckinlay fired into the sidenetting. Thomas went even closer and with Whiddett this time beaten, Josh Pound cleared off the line.

The breakthrough finally came on 65 minutes. After a scramble in the penalty area, Ross Cheek picked out Postance who blasted high into the back of net.

Seven minutes later, Knaphill secured the win. Timmy Taylor crossed to the back post and Jimmy Norman headed into the top corner, despite a valiant attempt to clear by Craig Wright.

Taylor hobbled off near the end, following a crunching challenge, to be replaced by Max Roffey, the substitute goalkeeper. He thus became the fifth keeper to be employed in the game – surely some sort of record.

Badshot Lea, now firmly involved in a relegation dogfight in the Combined Counties League Premier Division, travel to Windsor this Saturday and are back at Ash United’s ground for a home match against Chertsey on Tuesday.