Knowle Gain Ground On 2nd Place

Knowle made a number of changes for this clash with promotion rivals Coton Green. Christian McArdle reported injured, Regan dropped to the bench where he was joined by new boy Faulkner. Cullen, Harbon and Fox joined the starting eleven.

The Robins were really up for this match, and right from the off they made their intention clear. Charlie Morris made progress down the left flank, his cross/shot hit the bar. In the seventh minute a long ball from Tregartha found NATHAN CORRY who ran into space to score. The visitors were visibly shocked and tried to up their game, forcing Tregartha to make a save. Yet somehow one felt Coton Green were going through the motions, rather than imposing their authority on the game. That had already been done by the Robins.

It was no surprise when the impressive CHARLIE MORRIS chipped the ‘Keeper from eighteen yards following a throw-in.  Once again Coton Green responded and, once again forced Jack Tregartha to make a save. As it turned out, these were to be their only two attempts on target in the first half. For the rest of the first forty-five minutes Knowle were firmly in control. They ought to have scored a third when a wonderful move along their right flank ended with a good cross. Somehow Knowle failed to turn it home.

As we drew close to the break there was a change in the game. It became a feisty affair and when Charlie Morris was chopped down, the Referee, Mr Munday consulted with his Assistant Mr Jeffrey and then send Jack Henry for an early shower.  It could have been much worse for Coton Green when many in the ground thought they should have been down to nine men. A yellow card had to suffice.

After the break the relationship between Hague and Corry produced another goal. Hague fed NATHAN CORRY who scored from eighteen yards to make it three.  Now what would happen? Surely Coton Green would not continue to be so poor? Indeed not. Three substitutions brought Howard, Doak and ex-Robin, Jay Payne into the fray. Doak proved to be a real handful and had a major influence on the match. The visitors swarmed forward and after a free kick OLIVER HOUGH had the final touch to pull a goal back. 

The Robins kept clear water between the two sides when CHAIRLE FAULKNER had the ball over the line. Brandon Hague was sent away with an accurate long ball, but shot wide. Then Morris fluffed an easy chance. With eleven minutes to go RYAN CONLON headed the ball home to reduce the arrears. Three minutes later a moment of real controversy. RYAN CONLON had the ball in the net alright. But which part of his body propelled it? The Referee Mr Munday and his Assistant Mr Hunt allowed the goal. The crowd thought it was deliberate hand-ball. After the match I asked, a member of the Coton Green management team who scored this goal, I was told “Maradona”! 

Anyway, there were nine minutes to go and the score was Knowle four, Coton Green three. We were in for a bumpy end to the game. 

With two minutes of the ninety to go, Brandon Hague was upended in the Area by the Coton Green Goalkeeper. He received a yellow card and DYLON BENNETT thumped home the Penalty. That was it. Knowle were on song and got their just rewards.

Knowle FC: Tregartha; Fox; Hennessey; Bennett [88p]; Cosgrove ©; Cullen; Morris [79] (O’Keefe); Seeley (Faulkner [65]); Corry [7][49] (Regan); Hague; Harbon. Subs not used: Delaney & Parsons.

Yellow Cards: Seeley; Corry; and Hennessey

Forthcoming Fixtures

Saturday 19th February 2022 Away to Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons at Boldmere Sports & Social Club, 323 Boldmere Road, Boldmere, B73 5HQ. KO 1500.

Saturday 26th February 2022 Away to Kenilworth Sporting at Kenilworth Sporting Ground, Gipsy Lane, Kenilworth, , CV8 1FA. KO 1500