Knowle Triumph in Incident Filled Match

With most matches in Division Two of the Midland Football League postponed because of heavy rain, this was one of just two that went ahead on the last Saturday of the year. It was played in front of a disappointing attendance, but it turned out to be incident packed.



Although the pitch was more than playable, it was heavy under foot and energy sapping. Alvis began well enough and after just thirteen minutes Edwards was left unmarked in the six yard box, and made no mistake from close range. The goal was met with an amount of embarrassment by the home players and crowd. It was the Robins who had made all the running thus far and it was Alvis’ first meaningful foray into Knowle territory.

Not surprising that it gave the visitors a real fillip, and they tried to take full advantage. Knowle responded in a positive manner and set about drawing level. There were a few visits to Alvis’ penalty area, but on twenty one minutes, Kingswell was at fault for a foul in the Area, and the Referee awarded the home side a penalty. The visitors did all they could to delay the spot kick, but Tom Craine was too experienced for this tactic to work, and he scored his one hundredth goal for The Robins, rewarded with generous applause.

Just after the half-hour mark there was a clash of players in midfield with both sides claiming they had been wronged. With a calm reaction, Referee Hill bought out the red card and showed it to Martin, the Alvis number sixteen, and a yellow one for Knowle’s Rob Shaw. Following this set-back Alvis appeared to play better with ten men than they had with eleven, and Knowle found it difficult to press home the extra man advantage.

The second half began with Alvis making it obvious that they intended to hold on to what they had and do all in their power to prevent Knowle for grabbing the lead. But with the Robins pressing hard in Alvis territory, it was always going to be a tall order. This proved correct when Man of the Match Toby Scott let fly a real screamer from at least twenty-five yards.

Although Alvis never gave up, it was the crucial turning point, and the men in red never looked back. A cross by Tom Craine was turned home by Jack Mullen to provide a two goal cushion.

Alvis tried hard to make up ground, perhaps they tried too hard, for with five minutes to go, Giampaglia let fly a nasty challenge that left the Referee no option but to produce a second red card for the visitors.

Matters got even worse as we reached ninety minutes when Kearns launched a vicious challenge on Callum Burston-Keeley. A lot of pushing and angry words were exchanged, and the Referee send the Alvis’ player from the field. He left with bad grace.

Burston-Keeley was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg, but tests showed that he has damaged ligaments and will be out of action for at least six weeks. Rough justice for a man who has just returned from a long lay off with injury. His assailant on the other hand will likely serve a three match ban.

Knowle FC: Johnson; Jones (Taylor); Staley; Lewis Clarke; Shaw; Scott [66]; Mullen [78]; O’Donnell (O’Donnell); Rendell (Corry); G Seeley (c); Craine [21p] (Burston-Keeley). Sub not used: Riddiford