Dolphin's Strike Gives KLFC The Win

After these two sides faced each other last week, it was no surprise that this game was a cagier affair with each team knowing the threat their opponents offered. It was Knowle who came out on top this time, with a hard fought 0-1 win.

The Robins once again started the better side, sweeping through midfield to attack the Lichfield backline. Good defensive blocks thwarted an attempt on goal however, until Nadia Bacciochi found space off the right side and shot just wide. Natalie Gibson’s free kick was also comfortably dealt with by the home side keeper.

After that bright opening fifteen, it was Lichfield who came into ascendency and Knowle had to weather the storm. Good play out wide on the right created space in the box for the striker to pick her spot, but Jess Holland came from nowhere to whip the ball of her toes. Katy Smirthwaite then suffered a heart in mouth moment as a long-range effort burst through her hands, but thankfully she got enough on it to divert the ball onto the bar and gather the rebound. Sam Smith also had to stretch to head away two Lichfield corners under heavy pressure.

To change momentum, Knowle made the radical decision to make five subs all in one go, and this did even the balance of play up again. Lily Phelps was straight into the action breaking up play in the middle of the park and did not allow Lichfield any time or space, plus Maz Byrne on her return from injury was in no mood to concede. The first half drew to a close with no further chances for either side; that shot against the woodwork the closest that either side had come to a goal, in contrast to last week’s high scoring affair.

The second half began in much the same fashion; a midfield battleground with both defences staying tight. Knowle had the better of the chances, using fast attacks on transition and set pieces to their advantage. Celina Smallwood floated in a superb free kick that Smith couldn’t quite reach, sending her header over the bar. Youngster Sarai McDonald was so close to giving her side the lead when she raced onto a pass from Bacciochi and rounded the keeper, but the two defenders were able to get back and block her attempt from a wide angle on the line. It seemed like the deadlock would be broken and so it proved; Byrne thundered into a challenge on halfway and played the ball straight over the top for Yvette Dolphin. The midfielder made no mistake with her finish, slotting past the Lichfield keeper nicely for a 0-1 lead.

Lichfield were seeing plenty of the ball out wide, but could not break down a stubborn Knowle defence and as the clock ticked on, they started to leave gaps at the back which the Robins very nearly exploited. The lively Demi Rolph went in behind twice with her quick feet but the keeper was equal to both attempts. Lichfield’s best attempt came on 83 minutes; the forward beat Smirthwaite to a high ball as it bounced into the box and looped her header over the Knowle keeper, but it struck the outside of the post and rolled harmlessly away. 

The Knowle backline repelled everything thrown at them as the match drew to a close. A late free kick for Lichfield saw them flood the penalty area with all ten outfield players, but it was Smith who rose highest to head away and the referee duly blew for full time. An important victory for Knowle, the manner of which will please all the team as they showed the battling qualities they will need to keep themselves in this league.

Next week sees County Cup action, as Knowle welcome Birmingham City to Hampton Road for a 2pm kick off.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Holland, Betteridge, Smith, Henry (Byrne, 30), Adams, Fleming (Phelps, 30), Barlow (Smallwood, 30), Gibson (Dolphin, 30), Rolph, Bacciochi (McDonald, 30).