Knowle Cruise Through To Quarter Finals

Ronald Crane reports from the Draintech Community Ground

On a difficult pitch, Wake Green were on top for the first ten minutes of this match. They settled quicker than their hosts, and adapted to the problematic conditions from the start. The Robins were slow out of the starting blocks, and conceded an early goal. Coohey’s header from a corner, ought to have been dealt with. But sloppy defending and a lack of concentration allowed Wake Green to take the lead. It was not to happen again for the rest of the match.

The goal certainly gave The Robins a wake-up call. They responded in style. The visitors were to be in front for just three minutes. Knowle put their foot firmly on the pedal and were rewarded when the influential Charlie Morris curled home from eighteen yards. It was a beautiful goal and received applause from all present, home and away fans alike.

From that moment it was obvious who would eventually win this intriguing game. Both sides were intent on playing a passing game on a pitch that hardly deserved such quality. But it was The Robins who carried out this policy better. Wake Green pass the ball about very well, but they had very little to offer up front. The visitors had only one clear-cut chance, deep into the second-half when Ashley Smith headed a corner right into Craig Johnson’s welcoming arms.

The Robins were having joy along both flanks, but they also controlled mid-field, and Messers Staley, Seymour, Raines, and McArdle were solid at the back. Even a turned down penalty appeal did not thwart their endeavour.

The Seeleys had shuffled their pack because Nathan Corry and Lewis Clarke were unavailable, yet it was the same high standard performance, with captain George Seeley, Charlie Morris and Kartel O’Neil-Martin all shinning. That is not to say that others were not pulling their weight. The whole team did all that was expected of them. At the close it was a comprehensive victory. Wake Green are certainly a star of MFL Division Three, but they were no match for Division Two.

Just on the hour mark, Kartel O’Neil-Martin hit the net from distance with another beautiful goal that brought loud applause of appreciation. For the rest of the game, Wake Green offered very little and a strange penalty decision with thirty minutes to go settled the whole affair. It was Kartel who stepped up to the spot and sent Nore Gabbiden the wrong way. It all ended with a three to one win for The Robins.

In 2023 the men from Hampton Road have played three matches, scoring eleven goals and conceding just one. They are in good form for next Saturday’s visit to Sutton United, the match of the day for certain.

Knowle: Johnson; Staley; Seymour; Rainey; McArdle; Bennett (Bailey); Morris [10]; Ricketts (Jones); Walton (Mullen); Seeley ©; O’Neil Martin [29: 66p](Mico Ela Mamiaga) Subs not used: Craig Gaziewski.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Saturday 4th February 2023: Sutton United FC v Knowle FC: MFL D2 at (COLESHILL ROAD NURSERIES), COLESHILL ROAD, SUTTON COLDFIELD B75 7BA, KO 1400

Saturday 11th February 2023: AFC Somers v Knowle: Saturday Vase: 

Saturday 18th February 2023: Coventry Alvis v Knowle: MFL D2: KO 1500

Saturday 25th February 2023: Knowle v Barnt Green Spartak: MFL D2: KO1500