Knowle Edge Past Ajax in Close Encounter
1st February 2025: Knowle FC 2-0 Central Ajax
Ronald Crane reports from The Draintech Community Ground.
Matches between these two sides are always close affairs, and this one was not an exception. That The Robins progress to the Semi-Final is down to a lack of concentration by their opponents at a set piece and a late penalty. Otherwise: the action was confined to mid-field, albeit it in the visitors half of the park.
The Robins were the better side and took their chances, whilst Central Ajax could only manage one shot, and that off target. It is a testimony to the meanness of the Robins’ defence.
Played on a difficult pitch that sapped the energy from the legs, both sides valiantly kept going right to the end. There were some tired limbs in the dressing rooms afterwards.
The match was never a spectacle. But the crowd were rewarded with a magnificent display of defensive football buy the boys in red and black. Taylor, Powell, Duggan and Dudley prevented the visiting attackers ever getting within reach of the Robins’ Goalkeeper Craig Johnson. However, there were a few hairy moments when they needed to be on top form to keep Ajax at bay.
With three minutes of ordinary time to go, Craig Johnson received an injury that necessitated him being substituted by Oscar Slater, whose first job was to face a Corner. He did so with no apparent nerves.
The goals were scored at either end of the match. Joe Drake-Cervantes headed home a Corner as early as the fourth minute. While Callum Burston-Keeley dispatched a penalty with twelve minutes to go. In between it was much ado about very little.
The Robins now go into the Semi-Final with AFC Birmingham of the Capelli Sports Midland Football League Division Three.
Knowle FC: Johnson (Slater); Taylor; Powell; Dudley; Duggan ©; Drakew-Cervantes [6]; Craine; T Scott; Barnes; Parsons (Stone); Purves (Burston-Keeley [78P]).
Subs not used: Riddiford & Record
