Ladies Work Hard to Conquer Worcester

Knowle Ladies ground out a 4-2 win against Worcester in an unusually edgy performance, most unlike what we have seen from the team throughout the season so far. 



The disjointed performance was perhaps even more surprising given that Knowle started superbly, pinning their opponents back into their own half and creating plenty of opportunities. Demi Rolph had the ball in the net after just three minutes after beating the keeper to Morgan Betteridge’s cross, but the referee disallowed it for a high boot. Natalie Gibson then went close, bending a left foot shot just wide of the post after good work from Jess Barlow set her up. Knowle’s first goal of the game was straight from a corner; Betteridge swung the ball in and Kate Fleming rose to flick a deft header into the net at the far post. The home side pressed forward to try and double their lead; Rolph crossed for Holland but her volley was straight at the keeper, then Barlow’s attempt was blocked well by defenders converging from all angles.

Play then became a little scrappy from both sides, but Worcester did find their groove and created a period of pressure. Four consecutive corners were cleared by Knowle, but not without hearts in mouths on a couple of occasions as the ball shackalacked around the penalty area. Worcester grabbed an equaliser when the right winger skipped round three poor challenges and wrong footed Katy Smirthwaite in the Knowle goal. Knowle drove forward again; Sam Smith and Bex Clarke worked the ball well to set up Gibson on the edge of the box once more, but her shot dipped over the bar. There was still time in the half for Fleming to shine; she pinched the ball in the midfield for the umpteenth time in the game and slotted in Rolph with an excellent through ball, but the forward’s shot was well saved by the away team’s keeper.

Knowle came out for the second half aiming to push higher up the pitch and regain authority. It looked as though they had done that with another early goal; substitute Alana White was an immediate threat and she combined well with Betteridge before the full back was chopped down. Gibson crossed in the free kick and Fleming got across the keeper to volley home a neat finish. Soon after, Worcester went close with a free kick that Smirthwaite saved low to her left but Knowle didn’t heed the warning signs. Worcester’s positivity got duly rewarded - their equaliser came not five minute after the Robins’s goal. Smith played the ball back to Smirthwaite, but her kick was straight at the onrushing Worcester forward on the edge of box. Maz Byrne and Smith managed to crowd her out, but the ball bounced out to her strike partner who made no mistake from the edge of box in finding the empty net. 

Knowle had to pick themselves up again, and nearly regained the lead immediately; Clarke played in White but the keeper saved her shot and nobody in a Knowle shirt was close enough to pick up the pieces. Rolph was flying down the left side whenever Knowle could find her feet, and she created a great chance for Barlow but her shot cannoned off the bar. Five minutes later she set up Betteridge as well, but her volley was off target. It was Worcester who then hit the woodwork; they floated in a free kick, Smithwaite palmed it away from goal and the follow up shot struck the post. Smirthwaite also had block a close range attempt after a deep cross evaded her and Gibson couldn’t shepherd it out of play thanks to the forward’s tenacious work. Knowle’s main quality was coming from the tireless Fleming, who was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch for the ninety minutes. She pickpocketed a midfielder before racing forward to break lines and find Camile Abbotts. Abbotts picked out a great through ball to Rolph but her shot was pushed round the post. From the resulting corner however, Rolph found herself with a free header and planted Emma Shaw’s ball firmly into the net to give her side a 3-2 lead. A few minutes later it was 4-2 and Knowle could finally relax. Abbotts rose high in her own box to beautifully clear a free kick, Shaw worked it forward to Rolph and she was able to slide an inch perfect pass to White to put her clean through on goal. The young forward, who had been excellent since coming on, calmly produced a fine finish, opening up her body to slot it past the keeper.

From there, Knowle were able to see out the last ten minutes in comfortable fashion. They will know they need to bring performance standards back up in the coming weeks however if they are to maintain their title challenge. Up next for the Ladies is three consecutive home games, starting with Tipton Town in the County Cup next Sunday.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Shaw, Smith, Byrne, Betteridge, Clarke, Fleming, Gibson, Rolph, Holland, Barlow. Subs: White (for Holland, 45), Abbotts (for Clarke, 60), Morris (for Betteridge, 80), Diskin (for Gibson, 80), Jones (for Fleming, 80).