County Cup Joy for KLFC

Led out by the U10 Spitfires, Knowle approached the County Cup tie with local rivals Solihull Moors in confident mood, despite the opposition sitting one league higher in the pyramid than the Robins. Their confidence turned out not to be misplaced as they secured a 2-1 victory and went through to the next round.

The two sides were evenly matched in the opening period, with much of the play in midfield and both defences restricting any clear opportunities; Maz Byrne reacted smartly to clear Knowle's lines when Moors did threaten. The first real chance of the game fell to Knowle; Molly Hughes and Nellie Severin combined to win possession on the left side, then some neat interplay between Natalie Gibson and Trina Greaves finished with the latter chipping a superb ball into the box for Katie Atter to run onto. She beat the keeper Georgie Buttle, but her shot rolled just wide of the post. Atter then nearly turned provider, with a dangerous cross than Solihull scrambled away.

Moors also had the chance to open the scoring when Evie Quinn skipped round a couple of challenges and drove into the box, but Jess Jenkinson in the Knowle goal shut down the narrow angle. The away side did then go ahead from a corner; Lexi Blaxland rose at the front post to black a header on and it looped in at the far post. Blaxland was unable to celebrate after a nasty head collision with marker Ella Bridges, but both players were back on their feet after treatment.

As Knowle looked back to get on level terms, Greaves saw a shot saved by Buttle in the Moors goal and then lost her footing after being set up by Bridges. Knowle suffered a blow soon after however, when Bridges was on the wrong end of a strong challenge and had to substituted; it was confirmed after the game that she had torn her MCL and will be out until the new year.

The conditions became murkier and chances were non-existent for either side as the half wore on, though Knowle felt aggrieved when Buttle picked up what looked like a back pass from Alex Liddiard, but the referee deemed it unintentional. It seemed as though Moors would maintain their lead through to the break, until the very last minute when Knowle’s equaliser came. Sophie Noakes cross caused issues and Knowle won a corner. Morgan Betteridge’s delivery curled wickedly towards the goal and keeper Buttle was unable to claw it away before it crossed the line; Greaves made sure by smashing home the loose ball and saving any protests.

As the second half kicked off, the weather worsened with heavy rain affecting the surface plus the biting cold made it tough conditions for all the players. The defences were on top, with Knowle grateful to Kate Fleming who got the slightest touch to nudge the ball away from a Moors forward who would have had all the goal to aim at. Solihull hit a few long range attempts but Jenkinson’s handling was impeccable, especially considering the conditions.

At the other end, Moors’ Daina Scott made a great challenge to stop Severin in her tracks, then Greaves bent one just over the bar. Knowle’s best chance fell to Trina Greaves who made a marauding run down the right side before hitting a low shot that was inches wide. 

The rain got even heavier and the gloom set in as the half wore on, and the game looked heading towards penalties with neither side able to force a proper chance. But with 79 minutes on the clock, following a Knowle corner, Severin teed up Gibson on the edge of the penalty area and she lobbed the keeper with an inch perfect shot that dropped just under the bar to put her side 2-1 up.

Moors threw everything they could at the home in the last ten minutes, but Knowle stood firm; clearing lines and keeping possession when they could. Hearts were in mouths in the last minute when a good drive forward from Moors’ Georgia Neath allowed her to send in a great cross, but Molly Watters resulting shot flew just over the bar. That was it for Moors, and the referee blew for full time soon after, sending Knowle through as 2-1 winners.

Knowle: Jenkinson, Betteridge (Donnelly, 80), Byrne, Smith (Phelps, 70), Hughes, Bridges (Noakes, 35), Fleming (Barlow, 70), Greaves, Atter, Gibson, Severin.