Knights edge rollercoaster game
RUSHMOOR Knights won for the second week running at their new home in a far tougher game than expected, as they beat Wembley Stallions 38-35.
The match swung one way then the next with just one score splitting the sides until a late winning touchdown by Chiambah Toh Salu. The Knights defence held firm and the offense ran out the clock in dramatic style.
Jean-Paul Jones pounced to recover a fumble on Stallions’ opening drive, however both sides had to trade missed field goals from 35 yards before Aaron Greenridge ran 70 yards down the right touchline to give the visitors the lead in the first quarter; 6-0.
Knights bounced back with a Calvin Stitt 25-yard pass to Stephen Godfrey to the goalline. Stitt then scrambled to his left before dunking a short pass to a free Travis Carpenter wide open at the back of the end zone. Carpenter’s PAT (point after touchdown); 7-6.
Godfrey was found again by Stitt with a post pass from 20 yards for 14-6. Stallions quarterback Ted Watts’ eight-yard pass to Timothy Hall, and PAT by Charlie Rodgers, then made it 14-13.
The half was ended by an interception after Godfrey had returned the kick-off 40 yards to put Knights in great field position.
Knights failed to move the ball on the opening drive of the second half after deferring the toss, and Wembley took full advantage. Watts handing off to Greenridge for a sevenyard run, with Clark Gardener’s PAT making it 14-20. Knights got to the 10-yard line but successive delay penalties pushed them back, and on fourth down Stitt chose to pass to Aaron Sekwalor who ran in for the score, Carpenter PAT; 21-20 at the end of quarter three.
Sekwalor’s strong and determined runs set up Toh Salu, who carried the ball up the middle to score from five yards; 28-20.
Watts then threw a deep pass, which Rodgers held to take to the end zone and Stallions levelled with a two-point conversion; 28-28.
Knights head coach Paul Wakeford made a huge call when deep in their own half, converting a fourth and short thanks to a strong burst by
Sekwalor. A post pass to Godfrey set up Toh Salu again for the winning score, running in from 10 yards to the left side of the end zone. Carpenter PAT; 35-28.
There was still time for Wembley to react. Watts handed off to Rodgers on a reverse, which caught out the Knights defence. However, they held firm and knights took over the ball on their own 20 with just two minutes left.
The offense tried to run out the clock and had to rely on Sekwalor once again, who converted a brave fourth down to secure victory.
Knights are next at home on Sunday May 5 at 2.30pm, versus London Hornets at St George V playing fields in Farnborough.
HARTLEY Wintney are clinging on to hopes of a top-half finish in the Isthmian League South Central Division after two defeats.
The Row lost 4-0 at home to Marlow on Tuesday evening last week, and followed that up with a 3-0 home defeat to Southall on Saturday. After that loss, manager Danny Ackland said: “It was a disappointing defeat. At times we looked good, but in these periods chances must be taken. I felt we were poor in attack today and there seems to be some lack of belief.
The first goal was very preventable with our high line exposed.
“Reflecting on the season to date, we had a good spell in the middle portion and recorded some notable results. Losing key players like CJ Fearn and Marcio Neves, plus several others, has not helped. However, the fact that we are still mid-table despite the recent setbacks reflects the effort put in.”
The ‘All took the lead on seven minutes with a calamity goal. A long ball forward saw the Hartley defence holding a high offside line. However, Jaden Thompson-Brissett timed his run to perfection. The Row keeper Adam Melville initially had come out but decided to retreat, leaving the Southall forward to run on and score easily.
Southall gained the ascendancy and a good move down the left saw Anthony O’Connor find William Montague who shot just wide. They should have extended their lead on 26 minutes when ThompsonBrissett found O’Connor who shot over from close range. It was all Southall and O’Connor set up
Thompson-Brissett, who brought out a good save from Melville. The long overdue second goal arrived on 31 minutes when breakaway move saw Montague combine with Thompson-Brissett who shot home for his second of the game.
Hartley responded and had a decent spell of pressure. On 35 minutes a free-kick on the edge of the area gave hope. George Wallace saw his effort beat the wall, but Kojusoluwa Abayomi in the ‘All goal saved comfortably.
The Row had a double chance to reduce the arrears. A cross from Mo Jallow found Conor Lynch who saw his shot on the turn blocked, and Reece Wylie on the follow-up also saw his shot blocked.
Southall were unfortunate not to add a third goal on the stroke of half-time. Good play down the right saw Thompson-Brissett set up O’Connor whose fierce effort crashed off the crossbar.
Hartley improved in the second half and gained an equal share of the play. Jallow had several good runs both from midfield and down the left wing as the Row tried to reduce the arrears but lacked the creativity and finishing. Southall added a third goal on 83 minutes when O’Connor set Montague free down the middle and a neatly lobbed finish over the outrushing Melville put the match out of reach.
For Hartley, the best performers were George Winser and Jallow. And it must be said that substitute Noah Chengun, who came on in defence during the second half, greatly impressed. Previously he had been playing as a striker.