Knowle round off unforgettable centenary season with resounding cup final triumph

Knowle rounded off their unforgettable centenary season by securing the treble with a resounding 6-0 win over Coventry Colliery in the Coventry Telegraph Cup Final at the Nick Newbold Stadium on Thursday night.

An excellent hat-trick from Talib Copeland, along with further goals from Odane Barnes, Jack Duggan and Flynn Powell, ensured the Robins would lift the local competition for the first time in the club’s 100-year history.

Victory for Knowle was the icing on the cake of a remarkable campaign that included three trophies, back-to-back promotions, a record-breaking 21-game winning streak and the long-awaited installation of floodlights at their Hampton Road home.

Colliery - who celebrated their centenary just last year - came into the contest fresh off the back of a title-winning campaign of their own. In their first term within the Midland Football League setup, Colliery clinched the Division Three title with two games to spare, losing just one league match all season.

Coming into the final as firm favourites, Knowle started on the front foot and took the lead inside three minutes.

Hayden Purves’ right-wing delivery found Duggan, who headed back across goal for Copeland to stab into the bottom-right corner

It was evident from the very beginning that there were two leagues between the sides, and Knowle carved Colliery open once more after 15 minutes. Some neat interchange down the right between Purves and Barnes resulted in the former having a powerful effort saved by Colliery goalkeeper Nathan Pearce.

Copeland soon added his and Knowle's second of the night. The winger collected Dylan Daniels' long ball forward and skipped past two defenders before emphatically firing a shot beyond the helpless Pearce.

Knowle made it three on the half-hour mark with a rapid counter-attack immediately after Colliery had threatened for the first time with a corner. Callum Scott raced onto Daniels' teasing ball in behind Colliery's defence before pulling back for Barnes to slam home from eight yards.

Colliery were fortunate to escape without punishment when Knowle played through them in the 42nd minute. Barnes saw an effort cannon back off the crossbar before Toby Scott's follow-up was blocked. The ball then dropped invitingly for Purves, but Pearce caught and held his strike to give Colliery a breather.

Purves was finally rewarded for his wicked set piece delivery when Duggan quadrupled Knowle's lead on the stroke of half-time. The experienced defender rose highest at the back post and Pearce was no match for his close-range header.

There was no let-off from Knowle after the restart and Copeland completed his hat-trick in emphatic fashion, impressively curling a free-kick into the top-left corner from 25 yards.

Purves recorded his second assist of the night shortly after the hour and it came about from another one of his trademark right-wing deliveries. Powell bundled in from close range when the winger's whipped corner reached the heart of the six-yard box.

Colliery substitute Williams Burns almost scored a consolation with 15 minutes to play. Fellow sub Sean Kavanagh teed him up but Burns dragged his effort well wide of the left-hand post.

Knowle remained resolute as the game drew to a close, ensuring they secured their third trophy of the season with a clean sheet.

Colliery’s first Coventry Telegraph Cup final appearance didn’t end how they will have wanted, but Knowle had a treble-winning campaign to celebrate.

With no games left to play and nothing left to prove, the full-time scenes were to savour. The trophy was lifted
high into the Coventry sky to round off a season that will be forever etched into the memories of everyone connected to Knowle Football Club.