FA CUP DRAMA FOR THE LADIES

 A big crowd of over a hundred supporters were rewarded with plenty of entertainment on Sunday afternoon as the Ladies team went toe to toe with Darlaston Town in the First Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. The game was competitive throughout, both teams playing with commitment and desire and neither really deserved to lose out on the penalty shoot-out lottery.

Darlaston started the game keen to impose themselves and the midfield was a physical battleground with full blooded challenges flying in from both sides. The first shot of the game was from Alice Belcher as she picked up Natalie Gibson’s square ball and tried her luck, but the Darlaston keeper was equal to it. It was then end to end stuff with the away side firing wide from the edge of box and also winning a couple of corners that Knowle had to clear away. Knowle’s own progress was often halted by a flurry of offside decisions against Demi Rolph, whose pace was troubling the high Darlaston backline and she looked to be away on several occasions before the flag stopped her in her tracks. Knowle did create chances playing in behind though; it was actually Gibson who first beat the offside trap after good play out wide from Morgan Betteridge. She found a ball into Knowle’s number ten who held off the defender well but sliced her shot wide. Belcher also fired past the post after picking up Sam Smith’s flicked pass and swerving through the away side defence to go one on one with the keeper. Darlaston’s best chance of the first half came from working the ball across the pitch to give their striker room to cut in, but she shot just over the bar. Straight from the goal kick, Knowle connected three or four passes to set Ebony Harris clear through but the away team defender raced back to block her off. It looked as though Knowle would rue those missed chances as Darlaston had the better of the closing stages of the first half with plenty of pressure on the Knowle defence, but they stood firm with Maz Byrne mopping up everything to leave keeper Katy Smirthwaite untroubled.

Knowle switched their system for the second half and it seemed Darlaston has tightened up their backline also as the game become less frenetic, with fewer chances created for the home side. The team in yellow were on top for the first twenty minutes, putting a free header over the bar and firing wide of the post from good wing play. Knowle were restricted to a couple of long range free kicks that the Darlaston keeper dealt with well. Darlaston did grab the lead on seventy minutes when an excellent deep cross caused issues and eventually bounced in off the forward’s thigh but Knowle were able to grit their teeth and push for an equaliser. Emma Shaw’s ball into the box was aimed perfectly at Belcher, but she couldn’t get her volley on target. The Robins pushed forward but Darlaston defended well until Kate Fleming was able to flick on a high ball to Belcher who this time made no mistake with the finish, slotting it past the onrushing keeper to level the score. A late corner for Darlaston was dealt with by the home side and the referee blew for full time immediately after. Cheered wildly on by the loyal home crowd, Knowle were able to prevail on penalties but it took all ten outfield players stepping up bravely to take one and keeper Smirthwaite saving two! Team sponsor KILM Ltd selected Alice Belcher as the player of the match and presented the award to her on the pitch at the end of the game.

Knowle’s reward for the win is a second round tie away at Coundon Court on 2nd October, but before that they are back in league action at home on Sunday 19th September, 2pm kick off against Cookley Sports.