Double Cup Glory for Knowle!

Before the match had even started the talk was of a Penalty Shoot-Out. The game itself subsequently turned out not to be a great advert for football. The large crowd witnessed what seemed to be at times, a pre-season training game. United forced the pace in the first half, but without really bothering the Robin’s defence. Knowle should have been one up inside three minutes, and the a goalmouth scramble saved them at the other end. If United took a direct approach to the match, The Robins chose a more measured game-plan with O’Neil-Martin playing a role deep in midfield.

The second half was a different matter. The Robins were dominant and took the game to their opponents. But for profligacy in front of goal, they would have been comfortably in the lead. Chance after chance fell to Nathan Corry in the game, but a combination of good goalkeeping, bad luck and poor aim stopped him scoring on the day.  As it was the clock ticked down to the close and the inevitable penalty shoot out. Then Referee James awarded The Robins a penalty, hotly disputed by United. Truth to tell Sutton had been fortunate not to concede at least one, if not two, penalties earlier.

Whatever the case, Kartel O’Neil-Martin took the ball and waited as the Referee was in prolonged discussion with the defending side. Delaying tactics? Maybe. But the coolest head in the whole stadium calmly put the ball into the net and the Robins had won their second cup in a fortnight.

So ends a memorable season for The Robins. Two cup victories, and promotion was arguably deserved. But it was not to be.

Knowle: Johnson, Rainey, Clarke, McArdle, Seymour, Morris (Blythe (Walton), Bennett, O'Neil-Martin, Staley, Corry (Sinton), Mullen. 

Subs unused: Jones, Ricketts.