Canterbury City’s FA Vase run was ended in the third round on Saturday after an impressive second half performance from Knaphill.
With both sides making their debut at this stage of the competition and having similar record in their respective leagues, a tight game was expected. Canterbury came into the game in 8th within the Southern Counties East Football League with 23 points from 16 games, whilst the Knappers had 26 points from 17 games in the Combined Counties Premier Division.
There were three changes from the City side who won 3-2 against Raynes park vale in their last game, Sam Staunton, Matthew Martin and Chevan Xavier took the places of Adam Woolcott, who fell to the bench, Ryan Philpott and Jordan Casey.
After a scrappy start with both sides looking to take control of the game it was the hosts who had the first real chance of the game after thirteen minutes. David Pilcher’s free kick was dropped by Richard Shelley to the feet of Rob Lawrence who attempted to stab the ball in, only for it to roll past the wrong side of the post from four yards out.
Knaphill soon worked their way into the game and they should have taken the lead less than ten minutes later. An impressive run from jack Mazzone gave the attacker space to put a low cross towards Charlie Postance, but he couldn’t get a clean touch on the ball, meaning he couldn’t simply stroke the ball into the open goal.
With time running out in the first half the visitors were able to take the lead, Josh Watkins saw Shannon Harris off his line and took a chance from 40 yards. Harris was able to claw the ball off the line, only for the ball to fall to the feet of Mazzone who was able to score with a simple tap in from close range, meaning his side were able to go in to half time with a lead.
Looking for an equaliser, Canterbury started the second half in control. After ten minutes a well worked corner allowed Danny Lawrence a chance at the near post, but the midfielder was only able to hit the side netting. Only three minutes later they were able to find the elusive goal. Sam Staunton’s pass forward came perfectly into the feet of David Pilcher who did well to turn past Matt Morris and fire a shot in at the near post.
Knaphill looked to restore their lead and from the first attack Robbie Kersley placed a shot wide after some impressive build up play, but it was their next attack which gave them their second goal. A long ball forward fell perfectly into the path of Danny Taylor, allowing the substitute to chip Shannon Harris, allowing Knaphill to reinforce their lead.
However, with the hosts’ time running out they were given a lifeline when the referee believed Matt Morris threw an elbow at David Pilcher during a battle for possession, leaving Knaphill with ten men for the remainder of the game.
This didn’t worry the visitors however, as with only fourteen minutes remaining Danny Taylor scored his second of the afternoon from close range, securing the win for Knaphill as they looked certain to progress to the fourth round.
They still weren’t happy with a two goal lad theough, and after Arafat Kabuye came on as a substitute he had two fantastic chances to score. After beating the offside trap moments after coming on he looked to chip Shannon Harris, but the goalkeeper was able to hold the shot.
With the final attack of the game a counter attack was collected by Harris, only for Kabuye to dispossess him, but the substitute’s effort was bravely cleared off the line by the head of Oliver Lee, meaning the game ended with a two goal margin.
After their longest FA Vase run in the club’s history, Canterbury are now able to fully concentrate on the league. In their next game they will travel to Cray Valley having not lost in the league since the 14th of November.
Canterbury City: Harris, Webber, Bosio, Staunton (S Hallett), Gorham, Lee, Pilcher, D Lawrence, R Lawrence (Woollcott), Martin, Xavier
Subs not used: Partridge, Baker, C Hallett
Knaphill: Shelley, Taiwo, T Taylor, Morris, Doble, Close, Watkins, Kersley, Postance (D Taylor), Mazzone (Kabuye), Lumley (Coke)
Subs not used: Oloyede, Rowe