Knowle Into Final!

Ronald Crane reports from Mitchell Avenue

This match could never be described as a spectacle. It was a tough affair, that also turned testy on occasion. Played on a difficult pitch that never favoured keeping the ball on the deck, both teams struggled to make an impression. Consequently the defences were on top. In the first half mid-field was controlled, first by Knowle, then by Rangers. In the second half it was all Knowle, yet the home defence held firm.

Right from the off, the visitors made their intentions clear. Get forward and score. However, the home defenders had other ideas, and kept the Robins at bay. As the half dragged on, the home side came into the game and it was the Knowle defenders turn to withstand the attack.

In the second half, the away side had territory and possession, yet could not score. A golden chance fell to Jack Mullen, but somehow the ball stuck between his feet and the chance had gone. In the whole game, there were only four attempts on target, and only three off target. It was that kind of game.

As we went into the final third of the match, the tackles flew in, as both sides tried to up their game. Perhaps it was the pitch, maybe the players were not at full speed, but somehow the game never really took off. Bad tackles were punished with yellow cards, and the defenders took all the plaudits. 

At full-time we went to the lottery of a penalty shoot-out. The Officials chose the road end for the action, and it was Rangers to go first. However, before we could get started, the crowd behind the visitors dug-out required some talking to by the Referee. From my seat it seemed that some of them had encroached on to the pitch, maybe I am wrong. However, the Referee had to go over and speak with the crowd. Eventually the penalties started. The delay did not help the home side’s first penalty taker.

Farrell was up first for Rangers. His shot skimmed the top of the bar and landed in the road. Joe Sinton made no mistake for the Robins. Rangers Goalkeeper, Hartopp, took their second and scored. Kartel hit the net for Knowle’s second, but not before Hartopp had kicked the ball from the Penalty spot. He was given a talking to by the Referee. Rangers third attempt from Curran was saved by Johnson, and Staley made it three for the Robins. Hyman scored for the home side, making it 2-3. Hartopp was then booked by the Referee for kicking the ball away yet again. He had already been warned and now he stood on the penalty spot to hamper the taker and Jack Mullen’s effort was duly saved. Turnbull made it three for Rangers, so it fell to Captain George Seeley to take Knowle’s fifth penalty. With Hartopp still patrolling the area, Seeley just waited with the ball under his arm. When the ‘Keeper had made his ground George Seely thumped the ball home and Knowle were in the final.

There was more action in the taking of the penalties than there had been in the previous ninety minutes. Once again the Robins had progressed via the lottery of penalties.

Knowle FC: Johnson; Rainey; Seymour; L Clarke; MaCardle; Bennett (Sinton); Morris (Kartel); Staley; Mullen; G Seeley; Corry (Blythe) Subs not used: Ricketts & Walton.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Sat 25th March; Birmingham United – HOME – MFL D2 - KO 1500

Sat 1st April; Inkberrow – HOME – MFL D2 – KO 1500

Tue 3rd April – Cadbury Athletic – HOME - Les James Cup Semi Final – KO 1800

Sat 8th April; Fairfield Villa – AWAY – MFL D2 – KO 1500