Knowle in Cruise Mode

Six straight wins in the League, nine in all competitions; the Robins keep the pressure on Cadbury Athletic and Sutton United in the MFL Division Two. This comfortable win was achieved without the Knowle overly extending themselves. Borough had little to offer, although they started the brighter. For the first ten minutes the Robins were in a sluggish mood. However, gradually they took control of the game. 

Then in eight dynamic minutes, the result was put beyond doubt. Charlie Morris was fouled near the half-way line. Whilst we all wondered if Referee Jones would produce a yellow card, Morris took a quick free kick. The ball was sent along the right touch-line. When the centre came, it was Morris on the end of it in the area to open the scoring. Eight minutes later the Robins were awarded two corners in succession. From the second, Borough managed to clear the ball from the goal-line, only for Reece Staley to beat Swain from close range. 

From this point the result was never in doubt. Borough could manage just one shot on target in the whole game, and that, a long range free kick hardly difficult for Craig Johnson to save.  Morris and Corry had the freedom of the flanks, and with Jack Mullen a real thorn in the Borough side, there were few opportunities for them to get forward. When they did, they met a solid wall of red defenders.

There were other chances for Knowle. The fact that they went begging will trouble no one at Hampton Road. These three points were won in cruise mode.  For their part, Redditch Borough had but one method of attack in their 4-4-2 formation: The long ball over the top by-passing the mid-field. It was never going to be effective against the meanest defence in the division.

Thoughts now turn to the next Round of the Les James Cup when Kenilworth Sporting visit the Draintech Community Stadium next Saturday. Another tough fixture. But, one thing is for sure, The Robins will be ready for the match and keen to progress.

Knowle FC: Johnson; Rainey (Jones); Seymour; L Clarke; McArdle; Ricketts; Morris [18]; Staley [26]; Mullen; G Seeley (Blythe); Corry (Walton) Subs not used: M Seeley & Burston-Keeley.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Saturday 4th March 2023 – Knowle FC v Kenilworth Sporting FC – Les James Cup – KO 1500

Saturday 11th March 2023 – Knowle FC v Cadbury Athletic FC – MFL D 2 – KO 1500