Fun in the Cup for Knowle Ladies Again

There was plenty to be cheerful about following Knowle Ladies cup win last Sunday, despite a couple of late illnesses meaning changes to the squad. Four goals, clean sheet, excellent performance and a repair to the changing room door that Maz absolutely did not break.

The opening exchanges of the game were a little bit frantic from both sides, possession changed hands frequently and there was plenty of energy but not yet enough quality. Knowle settled themselves after ten minutes of this though and began to impose themselves, winning a succession of corners. Emma Shaw hit the post directly from one of these and Demi Rolph’s follow up back heel was scrambled off the line. Knowle did go ahead soon after with a landmark first Knowle goal for Robyn Bamber. Shaw’s clipped ball set Jess Barlow through on goal but the Kingfisher keeper came out quickly to change down her attempt. Bamber was on hand to slot home the loose ball from the edge of the box. 

Knowle should have doubled their advantage when Jess Holland combined with Rolph to lay the ball into Alice Belcher, however she leant back and launched her shot over the bar. Rolph was then pulled down right on the edge of the box. After she had dusted herself off, she struck a low free kick that the keeper got down smartly to save, and Bamber couldn’t quite turn in the rebound. It was all Knowle at this point, with Kingfisher having to rely on throw ins or long goal kicks to win territory, but Belcher was dominating in the air and the Knowle backline were able to mop up anything she couldn’t make. The Robins doubled their lead after playing out from deep in their own half, Michelle McCormack with the dangerous ball forward that Holland and Barlow both challenged for and it was the latter who emerged and beat the keeper with a good finish. A solid first half performance saw Knowle lead 2-0 at the break with Kingfisher rarely threatening, but the Robins knew the next goal would be key.

Soon after the restart it was Barlow who nearly grabbed that all important third - Rolph teed her up but the keeper made a great save again. Kate Fleming’s influence in the middle of the park was paying dividends for Knowle, and she kickstarted a scintillating team move when she won possession and skipped through the first line of defence. Knowle transferred the ball through several players across the pitch and back again before sliding in Rolph, only for her shot to hit the crossbar. Kingfisher kept defending stoutly, and did actually go close themselves with a rare foray into Knowle’s penalty area. They won a corner from good pressing and the ball caused chaos on the six yard line, the home side unable to clear. The eventual shot was destined to fly in, but Belcher managed to deflect it wide. Knowle’s dominance earned them that third with twenty minutes left of the clock; Shaw’s corner headed firmly in by Belcher. This essentially settled the game and Knowle finished the match playing the majority of football in their opponents half. Barlow went close again with a shot that flew wide and Rolph came incredibly close to latching on the end of a couple of through balls before the keeper swept up. Knowle’s fourth and final goal came from another corner; Shaw’s delivery swinging all the way to the back post where McCormack bravely nodded it in, despite clashing with the post after.

Knowle Ladies sail through to the quarter finals then; their energetic and hard-working approach giving them the platform to show their quality in possession. With the draw already made, they now face Sedgley & Gornal at home next weekend for a place in the semis.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Shaw, Smith, Byrne, Holland, Belcher, Fleming, McCormack, Rolph, Bamber, Barlow. 

Subs: Keen (for Bamber, 30), Harris (for Belcher, 45)