Dominic Knowles wants to recreate 'amazing' play-off heroics with Boston United

Striker netted nine times in three games as Harrogate Town won promotion...
Knowles, Wright and Thewlis won promotion together with Harrogate Town. Photo: @RussellDossettKnowles, Wright and Thewlis won promotion together with Harrogate Town. Photo: @RussellDossett
Knowles, Wright and Thewlis won promotion together with Harrogate Town. Photo: @RussellDossett

Dominic Knowles knows the ‘amazing’ feeling of scoring in a play-off final - now he wants more of the same with Boston United.

As the Pilgrims prepare to face Gateshead in the National League North semi-finals on Saturday (KO 5.30pm), the striker hopes he can come close to replicating his jaw-dropping finish to the 2017-18 campaign.

Knowles scored a staggering nine times in the final three matches of the campaign as Simon Weaver’s squad - which included current Boston teammates Jake Wright and Jordan Thewlis - won promotion.

The fun began on the final day of the season as Knowles netted all the goals in a 5-0 thrashing of Curzon Ashton, the contest blighted by Thewlis suffering an injury which ruled him out of the final two games.A brace followed in the 2-1 semi-final win over Chorley, before Knowles netted twice more in the 3-0 win over Brackley Town in the final.

“That was obviously a really good time,” said Knowles, who has netted 13 times for Boston this campaign.

“We had a good team and that season I did break my foot, but I came back and did well and it was good to be a part of everything.”

Knowles was, however, being part of the Harrogate side beaten by AFC Fylde in last season’s National League play-offs, and knows the highs feel very different to the lows.

He added: “The play-offs, if you come up it’s the best feeling ever. If you don’t it’s like ‘well, that was pointless’.

“But you can go unbelievably high, amazing. I've been on the receiving end and it's not always a good thing."

Knowles had netted 13 times in 34 matches when the campaign was halted early, with the forward enjoying a fine spell of form.

"It's one of those things," Knowles said.

"I felt I was in form at that time but hopefully I can do well again when we get going again.

"The break means some other players have had the chance to come back, like (Andi) Thanoj. He's looked sharp in training and he was injured when the season was postponed."