A Point gained or two Points lost?

I suspect our headline is the question being asked by both Managers after this match. When the dust has settled, it will, I am sure, be Clive Seeley who is the most satisfied.

Knowle were straight out of the blocks and a long ball through the centre found Charlie Morris off-side, but trotting back and inactive, whilst George Seeley raced through to score with ease. The Robin was incredulous when he discovered that he had been ruled off-side. It was a decision that was still being talked about long after the final whistle.

However, the visitors were by far the better side for the first half hour, and ought to have had the match sown up by then. Although there were some nasty challenges, Knowle were playing all the football, and mostly in their opponent’s half of the pitch. Mullen, Seeley and Hewitt all had chances that went begging. The mid-field was controlled by the men in red.

As we neared the break the home side dragged themselves into the game and a defensive error by Knowle from a Corner, allowed Borough a free header. It was wide, but it was also a warning for The Robins. Just prior to the break Redditch Borough had a really good chance, when following a great move the final shot was wide.  It was clear that The Robins would have to re-take control of the mid-field and sharpen up their shooting. Nine attempts for no goals is just not good enough. Mind you The Robins did have the ball in the net twice in the First Half; the George Seeley effort and another that Referee Singh chalked off for handball.

The Robins started the Second Half as they had the first; being well on top and pressing their hosts back. Shots were saved and Corners came and went. They had the ball in the net for a third time only for this to be ruled off-side. There were some pointed remarks from the visiting supporters and clear unhappiness on the bench. Yet the match remained scoreless. 

Borough made a couple of substitutions and within a minute they paid off. BROOKLYN SMITH tapped home from close range following a real melee after a Redditch Corner. The home side began to play now and show what they were made off. Every Knowle error was pounced upon. Every fifty-fifty ball now went to the men in blue. Borough sensed the prize was theirs and did everything to take advantage.

Gradually Knowle regained their composure and went in search of the equalizer. The challenges were even tougher as the game drew to a conclusion. Shots rained in upon the home custodian, who kept them out with the help of his defence and a number of off-side decisions: Six in the Second Half alone. But Knowle kept going. The clock ticked past the ninety-minute mark, and the final whistle was expected at any second. Two minutes into added time LEWIS CLARKE looped a header into the net at the far post. The visiting supporters and the Knowle bench were delirious, not to mention the scorer!

There was just time to re-start the match and it was all over. Truth to tell, Knowle were the better side for most of the match, and ought to have had it sown up inside the first half hour. But Redditch Borough took their chance and knew how to frustrate Knowle.  Nevertheless: the motto, never give up until the final whistle, proved to be the one that enabled Knowle to go home with a point. I suspect that it was the men in red who were more satisfied with the point than the men in blue.

Knowle FC: 

Maxwell; Hamza Siddique (Jacob Walter 64); Lewis Rainey; Lewis Clarke [90+2]; Christian McArdle; Owen Ward; Charlie Morris; Dylon Bennett; Reece Hewitt ©; George Seeley; Jack Mullen. Subs not used: Ash Weeks; Ben Jones; Matt Bailey; & Craig Johnson.