Tadley Calleva finish strong with Knaphill demolition
Tadley Calleva blew away Knaphill to seal sixth place and finish their league campaign.
Knaphill knew that a win at Barlow’s Park would see them leapfrog Tadley and become the ‘best of the rest’, finishing just outside the play-off spots.
Tadley had other ideas however, as they decimated their opponents to end the league season in dominant fashion.
Calleva wasted no time, as all-time leading goalscorer Brett Denham struck within two minutes to put his side ahead.
They had a huge chance at a second just moments later too, as Sheldon Wright’s shot was well saved.
By the sixth minute however, it was 2-0, as Denham struck again.
Aime Kamdem did fantastically well on the right, creating space before drilling a dangerous driven cross into the box on the half-volley.
Denham showed his striker’s instincts to convert, putting Calleva two up within six minutes.
That quick double was enough to give Tadley a strong half-time lead, leaving the Knaphill players to debate with each other as their shot at sixth place withered in front of them.
Connor Thorne had a great chance to make it three as the second-half got underway, but he was unable to put the game to bed.
No matter though, as Alex Miller delivered the goods in the 69th minute to make it 3-0 to Tadley.
He arrived off the bench to clip a beautiful shot past the Knaphill keeper.
Another man arriving off the bench was Kieran Rodgers, and Tadley’s talisman wasted no time getting amongst the goals.
He showed quick thinking to hit a free-kick early, which pinged in off the post from 35-yards to make it 4-0.
A few minutes later he struck again to make it 5-0.
Jordan Goater’s through ball found Rodgers at the back post, who dinked the ball over the keeper to wrap things up for Tadley.
A sixth place finish isn’t enough for play-offs, but Tadley will be pleased with another high finish this season.
It isn’t over quite yet either, as they prepare to face Hartley Wintney in the Aldershot Senior Cup Final, to be played on Tuesday 6th May at Aldershot Town’s EBB Stadium.
