Last Gasp Goal Sends Knowle Through!

There’s something about FA Cup football and Knowle Ladies that produces drama, and this season’s second qualifying round was no different! The game was a superb advert for the competition with two good teams giving everything they had to go through. Cheered on by a bumper crowd of over 100, and their lucky mascots the U8 Bees, it was Knowle who prevailed.

The home side flew out the blocks at the start of the game playing with high energy that pushed Coundon onto the back foot. Demi Rolph tested the keeper with a dipping shot that she palmed over the bar well, and Bex Clarke hit an attempt just wide from the edge of the box. There was a lengthy stoppage for an early injury to a Coundon player, but that didn’t disrupt Knowle’s momentum and they went ahead on the 15 minute mark. Jess Barlow was tripped up outside the box, and Emma Shaw swung the free kick past everyone in the box and into the far corner of the net. Knowle should really have doubled their lead when Kate Fleming played in Rolph down the left wing. She held up play as long as she could waiting for support, then squared the ball across the six yard line but nobody was able to get there with the goal gaping.  

Coundon were struggling to make use of possession but did venture forward with a dangerous attack that saw the ball fly into Knowle’s six yard box; Katy Smirthwaite stuck out a hand to deflect it away from goal and Maz Byrne hacked it clear. Knowle then doubled their lead; Rolph curling in a wonderful effort from out wide that bamboozled the keeper. Coundon looked shell shocked and perhaps Knowle should have put the game out of sight at this point. Jess Holland broke free into the box but the defender just about got a foot in to block her effort and the away side’s keeper made another good save when a corner dropped to the young forward. 

Coundon’s long throws were a dangerous weapon and they got back into the game when Knowle got sucked in and misjudged the bouncing ball. The forward picked up the loose ball and fired a stunning finish into the top corner from just outside the box. This galvanised Coundon and it became a far more even game during the last 15minutes of the first half with both sides getting forward well. Knowle’s defence stood firm however, blocking shots and crosses to protect Smithwaite in goal and they also were first to any set piece thrown into the box. At the other end, Rolph thundered a shot against the cross bar with nobody able to reach the rebound and Morgan Betteridge’s effort bounced just wide of the post. The sides went in 2-1 at the break after a high octane 45minutes of football.

The second half followed in a similar pattern. Knowle were on top for the early stages and it looked as though another goal was coming for them. Coundon defended extremely well however, getting across to cover and block whenever a Knowle forward found space in the penalty area. Natalie Gibson fired over the bar after a well worked Knowle attack and Byrne couldn’t quite direct a header on goal following Betteridge’s corner. 

As the half wore on, Coundon began to push forward more, knowing they needed a goal. They gathered momentum and started to cause issues, with the wide players winning a succession of corners. Knowle cleared well however, Fleming and Sam Smith winning headers whenever the crosser found the penalty box. A fast attack from one such clearance led to another Knowle chance; Clarke picked up Smith’s header and bombed forward before releasing Rolph, but she was denied by another good save. Lucy Jones also found herself with a shooting opportunity but the defender got back to make a challenges. 

 Play bounced from end to end, but it was Coundon who eventually put the ball in the net. A dangerous cross was headed back by a stretching Holland; Smirthwaite gathered but the resulting collision with the forward saw the ball pop out and over the line for a corner. Knowle got their marking wrong leaving the attacker with a free header and she made no mistake; 2-2 with five minutes left. It looked as though the game may head to penalties, but Knowle had other ideas. In the 93rd minute, Gibson played a superb ball from a quick free kick deep inside the Knowle half, the Coundon midfielder got a slight touch that split the defence and sent Rolph in on goal.  She rounded the keeper to gleefully smash the ball into the net and cue wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands. There was however just enough time for Coundon to have one last chance; the forward beat the offside trap but fired her shot against the bar and into Smirthwaite’s grateful hands – it turned out to be the last kick of the game.

A thrilling end to an excellent match; both sides played their part as did all the supporters. Seeing so many of the junior teams and their families at the ground was a great experience for everyone involved with the club. Best wishes to Coundon in the rest of their Premier Division campaign this season, meanwhile Knowle go into the hat for the Third Qualifying Round and await to see who they face next!

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Shaw (Jones, 70), Smith, Byrne, Betteridge, Clarke, Fleming, Gibson, Rolph, Holland, Barlow.

Unused subs: Abbotts, Diskin, Moore.