Knowle mark historic FA Cup bow with hard-fought victory over Darlaston Town

Knowle marked their historic men’s FA Cup bow by battling to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Darlaston Town at The Robins’ Nest on Saturday afternoon.

Prolific forward Talib Copeland fired Knowle into a 19th-minute lead before Darlo drew level through David Agyekum against the run of play midway through the second half.

That was the first goal Knowle have conceded in a competitive game this season and Copeland struck again late on to set up an exciting Preliminary Round tie at Coleshill Town on Saturday, August 22.

Knowle do have FA Cup previous - the Women’s side hosted third-tier West Bromwich Albion in 2024 - but it was a new experience for Matt and Clive Seeley’s treble-winning troops.

The pair made four changes to the side that swept aside Coventry Sphinx on Tuesday night and Knowle survived an early scare when in-form striker Tom Kinsey was cleared safe to carry on after a clash of heads eight minutes in.

Knowle’s first chance came and went three minutes later when George Seeley dragged an effort wide from close range following a deep cross from Seb Pearsall. Seeley probably wouldn’t have expected the ball to reach him at the back post.

Both defences were largely on top in an opening which lacked any real goalmouth action but goalkeeper Matt Horton soon registered his second assist in two matches. His raking ball upfield was pounced onto by Copeland, whose neat headed flick took a nick off the onrushing Darlo stopper Adam Jenkins on its way into the far corner.

The goal sprung Knowle into action and the hosts almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through an excellent team move. Summer signing Ethan Green advanced into midfield before laying off to Kinsey, who then introduced Seeley. He slid Hayden Purves through to shoot just wide of the left-hand post via an unfortunate deflection.

An even bigger chance fell Copeland’s way four minutes before half-time when he charged through Darlo’s back-line before firing just wide of the right-hand post from a tight angle.

Knowle were ultimately well worth their lead at the interval. Whenever Darlo tried to make things happen with hopeful balls forward, none of them reached their intended targets.

The second half started in scrappy fashion, plenty of head tennis being played with Darlo trying to grasp a foothold.

Lively Darlo winger Wayne Mubayi jinked past three Knowle players and won a free-kick in a dangerous area just outside the penalty area seven minutes after the restart, but the cross sailed over everyone inside it and went out for a goal-kick.

Connor Mort picked up a loose ball just after the hour and went on a mazy run before unleashing a long-range effort that took everyone at the ground by surprise. Darlo stopper Jenkins had to react to tip it around the post. 

But Mort was the catalyst as Darlo found an unlikely equaliser midway through the second half. The full-back played a square ball into the vicinity of not a single Knowle player and Agyekum picked it up, drove forward and beat Horton in the one-on-one.

Jack Duggan, an experienced centre-back with FA Cup pedigree, almost scored his third in three games 12 minutes from time. His header was destined for the top-right corner but a fantastic block from Darlo denied Duggan on the goal-line.

Referee Luis Martin handed Spiers a 10-minute sin bin for dissent shortly after that while, unbeknownst to him until it was brought to his attention, FA rules state sin bins can only be awarded in semi-professional leagues. And, in case you were wondering, the FA Cup isn't one of those.

Copeland restored Knowle’s lead late on with his second of the afternoon but second-half substitute Spiers played a starring role.

Spiers - who had struggled to influence the game since replacing Kinsey in the 56th minute - produced a glorious flick-on with his head, allowing Copeland to run free and smash past Jenkins with superb composure.

Knowle weathered the storm well in the closing stages and 10-year servant Seeley almost grabbed a goal of his own in stoppage time. The ball dropped kindly for the skipper and his strike from 18 yards almost hit the top-right corner.

Ultimately, though, Knowle had already secured their progression and victory in the club’s first-ever men’s FA Cup match, with 'Robins All Over The World' blasting from the dressing room after full-time.

As mentioned above, Knowle will visit Step Four side Coleshill for the Preliminary Round in two weeks’ time after trips to Stourport Swifts and Coton Green on August 15 (3pm) and 18 (7:45pm) respectively.