Knowle Stuck in the Boggery!

As the referee deemed Hampton’s number one pitch unplayable, their number two pitch was used for this match. It had a difficult surface, undulating and heavy. 

After such a long lay-off, (18th December being the last time these two sides took to the field) both sides were anxious to get back into the swing of things. An added problem for Knowle was that they had Covid in the camp. This alone had resulted in two postponements. 

Nevertheless, the visitors named a strong side that included new singing Zak Harbon. Still, Knowle began slowly and it took the home side just three minutes to open the scoring. Poor defending allowing HAMAZ SIDDIQUE to take full advantage. Although this was a set back for the visitors, shortly afterwards Brandon Hague ran through on his own, only to shoot wide. Then Tom Cullen found himself one on one with the Hampton goalkeeper Allely. Not for the last time in the match, Matthew Allely saved well.

The home side were controlling the game. Knowle were slow, ponderous over cautious and showed all the signs of not relishing their task. Constant encouragement from Messers Cosgrave and Delaney fell on deaf ears. With twenty minutes gone, Hampton were awarded a free kick which was launched into the Knowle area for WILL SIMMONS to put the ball into the back of the net.  Now Knowle were in deep trouble.

Things got even worse when Callum Regan went down with a head injury. He carried on after treatment, but when he headed a ball, it was obvious to one and all that he could not continue. Dylon Bennett made a early appearance from the bench.

Knowle received a life-line when awarded a Penalty. New Boy Zak Harbon’s kick was too close to the ‘Keeper, and he duly saved with ease.

Somehow Knowle managed to get to the half-time whistle without further disaster. But Hampton were on a high. Everyone knew what their tactics would be for the second half: Defend with nine men and leave one up top. This is exactly what they did.

Whatever Ash Weeks, Clive Seeley’s Assistant in charge as Seeley was serving a suspension, said at half time, it produced an immediate result.

A different Knowle side took the park for the re-start. It took just three minutes for them to score. It was a thirty-yard pile driver from NATHAN CORRY. Now the visiting supporters started to believe that their men would go home with something from the game.

Somehow it just did not happen. They reached the Hampton by line often enough, but the cross was wasted, shot wide, straight at the ‘Keeper or he made a great save. Knowle had enough chances in the second forty-five minutes to have won three games. But they just could not find the net. Hampton having nine men behind the ball did not help their cause, but they could not find a way of getting the ball into the net.

Their task was made easier when Referee Sudbury sent off Tom Parnaby for two yellow cards, but they could not break down Hampton’s ten men. As the clock ticked on, Knowle became ever more anxious and rushed. Having Ethan Galloway sent to the Sin Bin on ninety four minutes hardly helped.

At the final whistle Hampton were as delighted as Knowle were dejected. The Knowle backroom staff have until next Saturday to get the Robins back to winning form. A short journey to Alcester Town awaits.

Knowle FC: Tregatha; Fox (Galloway), Payne, Regan (Bennett), Cosgrove, Delaney, Harbon, Andrews, Hague, Cullen (Seeley), Corry [48].

Sub not used: Arthur.      

        

Knowle’s next match: 

On Saturday 22nd January 2022: Away to Alcester Town FC at Old Stratford Road, Oversley Green, Alcester, B49 6LN. KO 1400.

Photos below and on header courtesy of Jonathan Holloway.