OH LA LA - French Screamer Secures All Three Points

A wonder strike from Tadley-Calleva midfielder Jack French saw Tadders pick up all three points away at Knaphill in a rearranged midweek fixture.

Both sides went into the tie looking to make amends from the weekends defeat knowing that a win would bolster their hopes of a top five finish come the end of the season.

Tadley started the brighter and within the opening minutes had the first real chance of the game as a Ben Wright effort whistles past the near post from twenty yards.

The visitors pushed on, creating half chances and putting together passages of play that could not be countered.

Ok the twentieth minute the returning Kieran Rodgers picked up the ball on the right hand side. Running at the home defence with intent, he beat three men and got a shot away. The shot was saved well by the goalkeeper however the ball fell nicely for Ben Wright who was on hand to nod home to rebound to open the scoring for Tadley-Calleva.

This sparked life into Knaphill who hit back just three minutes later. A corner from the hosts right hand side was hit towards the back post, it was nodded back into the mix and the ball fell kindly for Pilbeam who had no challenge from Tadley and managed to guide the ball into the back of the net.

The two sides battled to gain control of the half but seemed to cancel eachother out in the final third. No real chances were created as a result and the first forty-five minutes ended level.

The second half got underway much as the first finished, with both teams unable to gain full control of the game.

Knaphill looked the brighter in the opening stages, producing a couple of half chances but not really forcing a save from the Tadley goalkeeper.

The game was turning scrappy and a series of challenges and yellow cards followed for both as frustration started to build in the search for all three points.

With the fixture looking destined for a draw, Jack French picked up the ball on the right hand side. An intricate pass to Fragata was played back to French who cut inside on his left, and from twenty-five yards from goal let fly. The ball stayed hit and flew into the far corner, past the helpless goalkeeper, giving Tadders a vital lead.

Tadley stepped up a gear going into the final stages and managed the match well as their hosts started to commit bodies forward.

Late changes from Tadley saw a debut for Adam Hargood and a return to the side for Argjent Ahmetaj who both gave a good account of themselves.

Tadley move up to seventh place with the win and will be looking to build on this with a trip to Redhill at the weekend.