Ladies Pass Worcester Test

Knowle Ladies, cup games, 3-2 wins…a familiar storyline, as this is the third competition this season that has ended in that manner! Last Sunday was the turn of League Cup, with Worcester City the opponents at Hampton Road.

The visitors started the game far brighter and launched a dangerous attack straight from kick off. The right winger absolutely flew past the Knowle defence, danced along the by-line and was only blocked on the post by keeper Katy Smirthwaite. Natalie Gibson rose highest to clear the resulting corner but Worcester kept the pressure on and caused Knowle problems in the opening ten minutes. Smirthwaite flipped a snap shot over the bar and Gibson stretched out a leg to divert a goal bound shot wide; Knowle looked in trouble. It therefore wasn’t a surprise when the away side went ahead, albeit the manner of the goal was disappointing for the Robins as it came from their own set piece. Morgan Betteridge’s corner was claimed by the Worcester goalkeeper, and she launched a long kick that had the team in red scrambling. Camile Abbotts was left in a one on one foot race with Georgia Marratt, and despite her best efforts the Worcester forward pulled clear and finished nicely past Smirthwaite. 

Knowle quickly restored parity with a well worked goal. Jess Barlow’s tenacity in midfield enabled her to feed Demi Rolph who in turn played in Jess Holland on goal. Holland held off the defender and placed a tidy finish past the Worcester keeper. This brought Knowle into the game and it was their turn to look dominant. Gibson’s range of passing was a different class, and so the angled ball out to Alana White on the right side caused chaos. The speedy forward found herself with three opportunities in short succession but somehow each slot flew just wide of the far post, with nobody following in for a certain easy tap in. Worcester were still getting into Knowle’s final third and it took two carefully timed slide tackles from Sam Smith to prevent a shot, plus Smirthwaite was fast off her line to block when she needed to be. Their corners and set pieces were particularly dangerous, Abbotts headed one clear and then a pinball scenario required last ditch defending from the Knowle backline. Betteridge also went close for the home side after Barlow teed her up on the edge of the box and with the last action of the half, Rolph beat two defenders out wide but she fired over the bar. One all at halftime and plenty to admire from both sides.

The second half began in a much calmer manner than the first, and it took ten minutes for either side to create a chance. It was worth the wait for Knowle supporters though as it led to their side going in front. Betteridge’s corner was recycled back out by Barlow, and the full back swung another cross in that was met at the back post by Maz Byrne, leaping above everyone and looping her header into the goal. Both goalkeepers were put to work soon after, Worcester’s stopper making a good save from Holland then Smirthwaite holding onto a rasping long range effort. Knowle had the ball in the net again when White set up Rolph, but she was flagged offside, and then White herself hit the bar with a thunderous shot. 

At this point it looked like Knowle were going to pull away, with Worcester not quite managing to threaten as they had in the first half. Holland and Rolph went close again, Worcester cleared one off the line and the Robins were first to most things across the pitch. However the away side weren’t done; they stood up to the challenge and hit back with a goal on the breakaway from Elspeth Hill to pull the score back to 2-2. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Knowle pushed again for a goal. Abi Morris set Rolph up with a deft header, but the linesman’s flag thwarted her again, and Gibson’s free kick was gathered well by the Worcester keeper. It looked as though the match would be heading to penalties, but Betteridge had other ideas. Two minutes remaining, she collected a loose ball 25 yards out on the right side and looped her shot over the goalkeeper to put her side a goal to the good. There was just enough time in the game for Worcester to come close to another equaliser, but Smirthwaite was quick off her line to smother the ball at the forward’s feet.

The 3-2 score line proved enough to send Knowle through to the quarter finals, where they will face Port Vale. Another end to end game at Hampton Road between these two sides also, and the away fixture at Worcester will surely be one to watch later in the season.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Shaw, Smith, Byrne, Betteridge, Gibson, Barlow, Abbotts, Rolph, Holland, White.

Subs: Morris (for White, 65), Harris (for Abbotts, 65)