Four Goals Showing From Alice Belcher Gives Ladies The Win!

After last week’s laboured performance Knowle Ladies were keen to bounce back and they certainly managed that against Rugby Borough on Sunday, with a 0-6 away win.

Knowle started confidently, taking advantage of the 3G surface to retain possession well and test their opponents shape. They fashioned their first chance after working the ball across the backline to allow Rach Keen to find a through ball to Alice Belcher; the Rugby keeper beat away her shot and a defender was able to poke the rebound off Demi Rolph’s toes. The Robins created a flurry of opportunities through good football but couldn’t finish them off. Great work from Emma Shaw allowed Morgan Betteridge to play a superb through ball to Belcher, but her left foot shot was saved. Shaw was again involved when she clipped a pass to the far post that found Sam Smith in acres of space; the defender should have shot instead of trying to square Rolph in for a tap in. 

Knowle’s patience eventually paid dividend though as they worked the ball across the pitch from Rolph on the left, into Belcher and Jess Barlow in the middle. Barlow swivelled to roll Betteridge in on the right wing and her cross was stabbed home at the second attempt by Rolph. Soon after, Belcher hit the post after another good move involving Smith, Maz Byrne and Betteridge. Rugby’s opportunities in the first half were limited; when they did come forward they moved the ball well but were unable to fashion a chance to test Katy Smirthwaite in the Knowle goal. When the second Knowle goal came, it was a result of great combination play between Rolph and Belcher. Rolph seized upon a Rugby goal kick, played the one two with her striker to get into the box then laid it across the Belcher to smash home. Knowle could have scored another before half time – Kate Fleming flew down the left side before playing Belcher in, her shot was well saved by the keeper but only fell to Keen who had stormed forward from right back. Unfortunately she lifted the rebound over the bar and the Robins had to settle for a 0-2 halftime lead.

The first chance of the second period fell to Rugby, who won a couple of second balls to loft a pass into the strikers feet on the edge of the box and although her attempt was on target, it was straight at Smirthwaite. It didn’t take long for Knowle to find their groove though and get a third goal; the away side worked the ball out from their own goal kick well, then Belcher slid her pass into Rolph. She turned the defenders inside out before firing past the keeper for her second of the game. Rugby didn’t drop their heads though and for the next ten minutes, pressed forward in an attempt to pressurise Knowle, but the team in blue were able to pick off their attacks well. Indeed, it was stealing in to pinch possession that set up Knowle’s fourth – Belcher robbed the unsuspecting midfielder and played in Ebony Harris, her low cross panicked the defender into a wild clearance. From the resulting corner kick, Shaw planted the ball perfectly on Belcher’s head and she nodded it home. 

 Knowle perhaps were guilty of taking their foot off the gas for a period after that goal, not quite getting the final ball right to create clear cut chances. Harris rushed a volleyed attempt and Jess Holland streamed forward to get herself into the perfect position to run onto Camile Abbotts weighted pass, but then the ball got stuck under her feet on the edge of box. Abbotts own attempt after she was teed up by nicely by Barlow was pushed round the post by the keeper. Rugby created a chance of their own with a good passing move, but Holland was on hand to snuff out the danger and put it out for a corner which Knowle dealt with well. When the Robins pushed forward and won their own set piece, Betteridge’s corner was the perfect ball, but Byrne headed wide. It wasn’t long before Knowle did have their fifth though, Smith collected a loose pass and reversed it into Barlow in centre midfield; she turned nicely and played in Rolph who motored into the penalty area to draw the defenders before slipping in Belcher for her hat trick. It could have been four for the striker immediately after when Rolph squared her in again, but the home side goalkeeper stood tall and made a good save. Belcher was not to be denied however, and she did grab her fourth of the afternoon and Knowle’s sixth late on. Byrne stepped forward to win a challenge on the halfway line before chipping the ball into Belcher’s path and she rolled it past the incoming keeper.

Knowle were well worth the win in a game they controlled for the most part, and were rewarded for their intentions to keep possession and play good football. A massive improvement on the previous game and the squad will be pleased to get back on track. They head to Rugby once again next week, this time Rugby Town provide the opposition, 2pm kick off.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Shaw, Byrne, Smith, Keen, Holland, Barlow, Fleming,, Betteridge, Belcher, Rolph.

Subs: Abbotts (for Holland, 30), Horsburgh (for Betteridge, 30,) Harris (for Horsburgh, 45)

Photos courtesy of Brian Dainty - https://www.facebook.com/briandaintyphoto

1 - Jess Barlow beats a defender

2 - Camile Abbotts blocks Rugby Progress