Match Preview: Knowle host Darlaston on FA Cup debut

Knowle FC are gearing up for a historic occasion when they host Darlaston Town in their first-ever men’s FA Cup tie on Saturday afternoon.

Matt and Clive Seeley’s treble-winning troops have been accepted into the world’s most prestigious domestic cup competition for the first time in our 100-year history and fellow Step Five side Darlo visit The Robins’ Nest for the Extra Preliminary Round.

Saturday’s winners will travel to Coleshill Town for the Preliminary Round on Saturday, August 22.

The Opposition

As mentioned above, Darlo are also playing at Step Five level this season in the Midland Football League Premier Division following their relegation from the Northern Premier Division One West.

Former manager Exodus Geohaghon, who was only appointed in February to steady the ship after a turbulent period at the club, parted ways with Darlo after a disappointing end to the season which ultimately culminated in them finishing rock-bottom after a record-breaking 13-0 beating at Avro on the final day.

However, they have now brought in a manager boasting an abundance of Step Five experience in Adam Pearce.

Pearce, who was tasked with rebuilding almost the entirety of Darlo’s squad over the summer, has overseen a balanced start to the new campaign. He was left with plenty of food for thought when a well-drilled and organised Stone Old Alleynians team came to Darlo’s Paycare Stadium and secured a convincing 2-0 victory on the opening day, but responded emphatically with a fantastic 5-1 triumph at Tividale on Tuesday night.

That level of inconsistency couldn’t be much further away from the unshakeable togetherness and unbreakable team spirit on show in B93.

An attitude forged through a two-year spell of sensational success - back-to-back promotions, a treble-winning season and reaching brand-new heights entirely - Knowle fear absolutely no one and possess a ferocious desire to win, no matter the opponent or the competition.

And Knowle have shown no signs of slowing down at the start of their first-ever Step Five campaign.

Since the conclusion of a fantastic pre-season, which reached its crescendo when National League side Solihull Moors were beaten 1-0 at The Robins’ Nest, Knowle have won all three games they’ve played, rather impressively netting 13 goals and keeping three clean sheets in the process.

Knowle love being the underdogs, and whilst on Saturday that’s what they’ll be on paper, they have shown time and again how tough it is to beat a team with such belief and determination.

The Robins’ Nest has hosted FA Cup football before

Whilst being accepted into the men’s competition for the first time in the club’s 100-year history is a remarkable achievement for the men, Knowle’s Women’s team has FA Cup previous.

They have played in the qualifying rounds on numerous occasions, first in 2018/19, and even made it to the First Round Proper in 2024/25 when they were handed a glamour home tie against West Bromwich Albion.

The hosts, then-named Knowle Ladies, ultimately fell to a 7-1 defeat against the Baggies in front of a bumper crowd - but it was a day that teased what the future has to offer at The Robins’ Nest.

Knowle might be strangers to the FA Cup - but Jack Duggan isn’t

Saturday might bring an FA Cup debut for the Men’s First Team - but player-assistant manager Jack Duggan has pedigree in the competition.

Now-experienced defender Duggan became a non-league legend in December 2016 when he slammed home a late winner against professional side Northampton Town to send seventh-tier Stourbridge into the Third Round proper for the first time in their history.

But that was by no means the full story. Duggan, who was juggling semi-professional football with a teaching degree at Birmingham Newman University at the time, couldn’t properly celebrate that victory because of a 9am lecture the following morning.

However, that will not be the case this time around. Sunday has been left free for Duggan to celebrate should Knowle progress to the Preliminary Round.

“I don’t think I’ve got anything planned on Sunday,” he said. “If we get through, there is a guarantee that I’ll be having some Guinness. And if it has to be on my own, it has to be on my own - that’s what will be happening, and it will be more than one as well.”

Duggan, who joined Knowle in 2024, also had some words of advice for those whose FA Cup careers aren’t as decorated as his own.

“Where you are on the FA Cup ladder as a non-league team, you’ve got absolutely nothing to lose. The teams that are lower down, which we are, it’s a free shot.

“Treat it like we’re the underdogs - which we will be on most occasions - and just go for it. Don’t get defensive, don’t do anything silly. Anything’s possible in football.

“I’m a big believer in that anything can happen and we’re in good form. What we’ve been doing for the last three seasons at Knowle is when you believe you can win, when you believe you’ve got the players around you that can support you when you’re in the trenches and players around that can win games, you can do anything.

“Whether you’ve played in the FA Cup or not, it’s just another game of football. Don’t play the occasion - I know it’s hard to say that and it’s very cliché, but don’t play the occasion. It’s another game of football and another chance to win a game of football, another chance to play 90 minutes where you mark your man and play against your man.”

The 33-year-old also shared his delight at being able to still play in the FA Cup at this stage of his career.

“For me personally, I’m absolutely buzzing. I thought my days of playing in the FA Cup were over when I knocked it on the head at Step Three. I literally didn’t want to play football again because of injuries and travelling - it just wasn’t ideal.

“But to be in a position where I’m going to be in the squad, hopefully even starting, gives me a feeling of nostalgia. It will be great and I’m buzzing for it - but again, as soon as I step onto that pitch I know I’ll be focused on the fact that it’s just another game of football and I won’t let the occasion get to me. You can’t do that, either, as a football player.”

Thoughts from the dugout

“Everyone at the club is excited about playing in the FA Cup,” joint-manager Clive Seeley said. “It’s great to be on home soil and Darlaston were in Step Four last season so it’s sure to be a competitive match.”

He added: “Both teams are playing following great results so will be going into the game in a confident mood.”

Key Information

Matchday: Saturday, August 8

Kick-off time: 3:00pm

Location: The Robins’ Nest, Hampton Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NX

Admission: £10 Adults | £5 Concessions | Under-12s are free!

Food and Drink: Local butcher Eric Lyons will be serving up food for the day - burgers, hot dogs and chicken skewers - whilst the bar will be open in the clubhouse for drinks and snacks!

Knowle will, as the home team, be in their traditional red shirts, black shorts and black socks, so make sure to wear your colours!