Knowle Ladies Too Strong For Bewdley

For the second week in a row, Knowle Ladies ran out 6-1 winners at home, though this was certainly a more assured performance than last week’s cup win. Knowle showed their quality throughout against a Bewdley side with plenty of know-how at this level.

Knowle raced in to an early lead not five minutes into the match; the in-form Demi Rolph positioned herself perfectly to gather a Bewdley goal kick, breeze past the full back and slot the ball past the keeper. The movement and incisiveness of Knowle’s attackers were causing all sorts of problems; Camile Abbotts linked up with Jess Barlow to create a chance for Jess Holland, but her attempt was saved well. The home side didn’t have to wait long for their second; Maz Byrne snapped into the tackle and won possession on the halfway line before playing forward to Holland. She flicked it round the corner and Rolph nipped in between the centre halves and goalkeeper to score again.

Morgan Betteridge found herself with lots of space on Knowle’s right side and her delivery was pinpoint in setting up chances for her teammates. First Holland went close with an overhead kick, then Rolph’s volley flew wide before Knowle won a corner when yet another another Betteridge cross was turned away by the Bewdley defender. Emma Shaw whipped the ball in, the keeper clawed it away from goal and Sam Smith was on hand at the back post to nod home and put Knowle 3-0 to the good.

The home side had the luxury of a full bench, so rang the changes on the thirty minute mark. Abbie Diskin was straight into the thick of things, seeing plenty of possession out wide, but her final ball was easily cleared by Bewdley. Lucy Jones also made an impact, playing a fabulous through ball into Barlow to create a shooting chance that flew just over the bar. It was Bewdley however who had the ball in the net next, with their first real opportunity of the game. Smith was stretching for a through ball and wrong-footed keeper Katy Smirthwaite, leaving the striker clear to run on and finish well. Diskin then had to whip the ball off the same striker’s toes when it looked like she may run through again. Knowle hit back with another goal; Natalie Gibson disposed a midfielder and played in Rolph; she cut back inside round the defender and slotted her hat-trick goal into the net. The halftime whistle blew soon after with Knowle 4-1 up.

At the start of the second half, Bewdley pushed forward well and fashioned a couple of opportunities. Smirthwaite dealt with a long range attempt well and then the wingers shot flew straight across the front of goal. Byrne and Bex Clarke reacted sharply to block a shot and clear lines soon after. Knowle got back to grips with the midfielder battleground however, Clarke screening the back four whenever the away side attacked, intercepting passes then launching her side back on the attack. On one occasion she player a neat one two with Gibson, who was tripped up cynically but the referee played a great advantage when she regained her footing. Gibson found Barlow, whose fierce shot was pushed wide. From the resulting corner, Byrne flicked a header into the far post for her side’s fifth goal of the day. Abi Morris put in a number of good challenges at full back, and nearly set up Holland with a through ball, but the defender got back to clear. 

Knowle were at full tilt now, and won a penalty that was duly despatched by Rolph when the Bewdley defender deliberately deflected a shot wide with her hand.  Somewhat against the run of play, the next chance fell to Bewdley when their skipper drove forward well. Smith got the tackle in, but the ball flicked out the edge of box where the attacker hit a piledriver that cannoned back off the bar. As the game wore on and their opponents tired, the latter stages were all Knowle however. The Bewdley full back earned a booking for flattening Rolph; Betteridge crossed in the free kick and Kate Fleming hit the post with her header. Fleming suddenly found herself on the end of everything; she drove a shot wide after being set up nicely by Abbotts and Clarke then headed a Gibson free kick wide of the post too. There was still time in the game for Holland to go close with a strong shot after Clarke set her up, but the keeper was equal to it.

6-1 the final score, and a performance with plenty to enjoy from the Robins; they were full of energy and creativity going forward and kept things tight off the ball as well. They’re back in action next week with a home League Cup tie against a good Worcester City side, so see you at The Nest for that one!

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Shaw, Smith, Byrne, Betteridge, Clarke, Fleming, Abbotts, Rolph, Holland, Barlow.

Subs: Jones (for Clarke, 30), Gibson (for Abbotts, 30), Morris (for Shaw, 30), Diskin (for Betteridge, 30).