Final League Game Sees Knowle Finish Third

Ronald Crane reports from The Draintech Community Ground.

This important match, upon which much depended, was not a great advert for the Midland Football League. The result was eagerly awaited. If Rangers won, they would win the Divisional Championship. If The Robins won, they would share top spot with Sutton United, although United would be champions on goal difference. A draw would hand the title to United.

The Robins’ largest crowd of the season gathered for the event.

Rangers went ahead on two minutes when Swain tapped home a rebound after really slack defending by The Robins. This knocked the home side back, and they took a while to get going. For thirty minutes it was all Rangers. They were on the attack, yet failed to produce another first-half shot on target. Passing around mid-field was never going to produce another goal, and the Robins’ back line were magnificent for the rest of the match.

The final fifteen minutes of the opening period were all The Robins. Rangers were pushed back. Jack Ricketts hit the bar with a real pile-driver from distance. Yet Knowle found it hard to get behind Rangers back line.

With a minute of added time prior to the break played, George Seeley let fly a special, that whizzed into the bottom corner of the net. It was no more than the home side deserved.

The second half was very different. The Robins’ were on top throughout, Rangers being reduced to the long ball over the top. It was never going to trouble Messers Clarke and McArdle, and it didn’t.

As the second half progressed, the always volatile crowd, became vocally aggressive. A section of the crowd were shouting vile abuse at the Officials, and at the Robins’ players. It was deplorable and communicated itself to the players and bad behaviour on the pitch and between the benches grew worse. Ex Robin, Callum Regan, was shown a red card for an off the ball incident with Lewis Rainey. More cards followed.

As the match neared its close, all this became even worse eventually boiling over into the inevitable melee of players, substitutes, and back-room staff.

George Seeley was shown a yellow card, and Rangers received another red and more yellows. When we got going there was another incident in the Rangers’ Area that resulted in George Seeley receiving a second yellow and the subsequent red.

At the end it was all square and the title falls to Sutton United, one might say by default. When the dust had settled, the Robins’ players and managers will rue missed passes, and shots. One from six yards and another with an open goal. The Robins’ were well worth three points, it is a disappointment that they could only manage one. However, the ill-discipline on show was deplorable. 

Tuesday 9th May 2023: Les James Challenge Cup Final at the Bescot Stadium Kick Off 1930. Adults £7 Concession £4

Knowle FC v Hampton FC

Saturday 20th May 2023: Saturday Vase Final at Ray Hall Lane, home of Birmingham FA,

Knowle FC v Sutton United

Photos courtesy of The Mowdog, Peter Ray.