Knowle Grind Out The Win

This was an interesting match to watch. It would have been a really attractive example of Midland Football League Division Two football, if it were not for a fierce wind blowing right down the centre line. This resulted in the ball spending much time on the adjoining pitch.

Inkberrow are, as Clive Seeley promised, a really good footballing side. They play the ball through mid-field, and find spaces between their opponents mid-field and defence. If they have a weakness, it is up front. The home side managed only three shots on target in the whole game, and I may say, converted two of them.

The Robins began well enough, forcing a couple of early corners, but were knocked back after thirteen minutes with a ball over the top. This was missed by the defence allowing NATHAN DAVIES to profit, and open the scoring. Knowle were visibly affected by this. They found it hard to wrest the initiative from the home side. Yet, the Robins defence held out and kept the home forwards at arms-length.

As the half-hour mark drew nigh, Knowle began to make progress forwards. Eventually their sheer dogged persistence paid off. Hague fed NATHAN CORRY, after a battle with defenders. Corry’s first effort was saved, only for the number nine to tap the equalizer home. It was a goal that born as a direct result of refusing to take “no” for an answer. He, and Brandon Hague, just would not be denied.

Four minutes later, Knowle had the ball in the net after the wind caused havoc in the home defence, only for the referee to blew his whistle for a foul on the goalkeeper. A decision that caused bemusement among the visiting supporters.  This encouraged the visitors to take control of the match and put the Inkberrow defenders under great pressure. There were forced into last ditch defending.

The Second Period began much as the first had done. The impressive GEORGE ROBBINS, the Inkberrow number three, skipped along the Knowle defensive line before putting the ball in the corner of the net.  Knowle needed to respond, and quickly. It took just nine minutes. With Brandon Hague making progress into the Inkberrow area, he went over. A trip, or a fall? Referee Mr Ben Whittick consulted his Assistant Mr Graham Hill, before pointing to the Penalty Spot. DYLON BENNETT made no mistake from twelve yards. The Robins had drawn level for the second time. 

The pendulum had swung decisively in the visitors’ favour. Three minutes was all it took for them to take the lead. Following a really beautiful move along their left flank, the centre was perfect for TOM CULLEN to score what proved to be the winner.  There was still time for Nathan Corry to hit the bar from distance, but Knowle were never really in danger for the final twenty minutes.  A good win that needed to be ground out with sheer determination.  Inkberrow will be rueing their lack of fire-power in front of goal. Yet I still expect them to take points from other top six sides in Division Two.

Knowle FC: Tregartha; McArdle; Kennesey; Fox; Cosgrove ©; Bennett [58P]; Morris (O’Keefe); Seeley (Regan); Corry [25] (Parsons); Hague; Cullen [61]. Yellow Cards: Seeley. Sub not used: Delaney.            

  

Next match: Saturday 5th February 2022. Away to Lane Head FC at the Red Lion Ground, Somerfield Road, Walsall, WS3 2EH. KO 1445.