Ladies Lose Out at LI

Knowle Ladies suffered only their third defeat of the league season last weekend after a flat performance away at Long Itchington.

The home side showed their determination from the start and were sharper than the Robins all across the pitch; first to every loose ball and getting in behind with quick counter attacks. In fact they had the ball in the net after just five minutes, but the referee had spotted the centre forward had charged down Sam Smith’s attempted clearance with her hand and ruled out the effort. Knowle were unable to force a genuine attack of their own as they kept losing possession, putting themselves back under pressure. From one such error, Long Itchington were awarded a corner, and miscommunication at the front post allowed the centre forward to force the ball over the line to give them a one nil lead. Two minutes later they had doubled their lead; Knowle lost possession on the left side, a quick cross set up the striker and Morgan Betteridge tripped her on the way through. A definite penalty and the Long Itchington player duly smashed it home.

Two down after fifteen minutes, Knowle knew they had to respond and so made early changes to formation and personnel, with Emma Shaw, Camile Abbotts and Kate Fleming coming on. Fleming and Bex Clarke were able to seize back the midfield, but Knowle still struggled to retain possession well enough to create good chances. They saw plenty of the ball in the second half of that first period however and eventually started to threaten. Nadia Bacciochi combined well with Natalie Gibson to wriggle past a defender, but her shot on the turn didn’t quite have the power to beat the keeper. Two good chances then fell to Demi Rolph, but she could not find a finish. Half time saw Knowle 2-0 behind with a lot to do in the second half.

The Robins were better in that second period, but Long Itchington had something to hold onto and defended resolutely. Good football between Bacciochi and Jess Barlow set up Abbotts for their first chance, but the keeper again pulled off the save. Knowle were finding space out wide and it was clear that’s where they could find some joy. Indeed, their first goal came from that; Smith found Shaw on the left and she crossed for Rolph to stab home. Soon after they came close to equalising; Shaw’s free kick was turned onto the post by Fleming.

Knowle looked like they were on the edge of getting back into the game, but it was Long Itchington who actually went further ahead. Knowle were caught too far up the pitch and a long ball took their right side out the game. The winger raced through and crossed well for her striker to beat Smirthwaite to the ball and score the home side’s third. Knowle dusted themselves off and tried again, but their final ball wasn’t quite right and the Long Itchington defence were alert and aggressive in clearing their attacks. Set pieces were a threat though, and they should have scored when Smith headed Shaw’s corner against the bar. The home side also came close with another cross from their left side but Clarke saved Knowle with a fine defensive header. Knowle pulled one back again with ten minute left; Barlow played in Rolph and this time she kept her cool to slot the team’s 100^th goal of the season home. Despite their best efforts however, Knowle could not find an equaliser in the last stages of the game and Long Itchington ran out deserved 3-2 winners.

The Ladies will need to improve significantly next week when they face their biggest game of the season; the League Cup Final against Coventry Sphinx, 1pm kick off at Evesham United.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Smallwood (Shaw, 22), Smith, Byrne, Betteridge, Clarke, Morris (Fleming, 22), Abbotts (Barlow, 22), Bacciochi (Phelps, 50), Rolph, White (Gibson, 30)