Knowle suffer first defeat in 175 days as Worcester City edge FA Cup replay

Knowle tasted defeat for the first time in 175 days as their maiden FA Cup campaign drew to a close in a First Round Qualifying replay at higher-tier Worcester City.

The Robins fought from the very first whistle but Worcester looked far stronger on their slick, artificial surface and Liam Lockett struck the decisive blow 17 minutes from time with his second goal against Knowle in four days to ensure the hosts ran out 1-0 winners.

Knowle went toe-to-toe with Step Three side Worcester in a nationally-broadcasted clash last Saturday and their monumental efforts were rewarded when Tom Kinsey bundled home a 91st-minute equaliser to delight the club-record crowd and force a rematch at Sixways Stadium.

No one could argue Knowle didn't deserve this replay and they gave a fantastic account of themselves across all 180 minutes.

The 12,000-seater stadium didn’t serve as intimidation to Knowle on arrival - they won the Midweek Floodlit Cup at a ground marginally smaller earlier this year - and the Robins portrayed a team possessing confidence early on. Worcester looked very fit and up for the game, but manager Chris Cornes might have expected them to exert themselves a little bit more.

Seb Pearsall, a full-back by trade, was deployed on the left-wing by joint-managers Matt and Clive Seeley, and crafted the game’s first genuine scoring chance eight minutes in. He whipped an inviting cross in from deep that Copeland was attacking, but the imposing forward was well marshalled by Worcester’s defence and Copeland couldn’t make a meaningful connection.

Home captain Charlie Wise later played an unconvincing back-pass to goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk that may just have bobbled in had it happened back at The Robins’ Nest rather than on Worcester’s slick playing surface.

But Worcester grew stronger as the half wore on and almost broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Matt Richards cut inside onto his favoured left foot and powered a ferocious drive towards the top-left corner that Matt Horton did well to tip around his right-hand post.

It looked for all the world that Worcester were going to take the lead when the ball was bouncing around in Knowle’s six-yard box as half-time approached. Anton Powell was beaten by lively winger Charlie Lutz down the Robins’ left before the ball ricocheted from player to player right in front of the gaping goal.

It then fell kindly for Brandon Smalley to unleash the final strike from 15 yards - but it landed straight in Horton’s grateful hands.

Worcester continued to control proceedings after the break and Odane Barnes was introduced just before the hour to beef up Knowle’s attack. Talib Copeland had been the Robins’ primary outlet going forward but Powell made way for the physical striker to come on in support.

The shift allowed Copeland to take up his favoured left-wing position and he frustrated the home faithful by drawing two fouls in quick succession shortly afterwards.

Horton produced a stunning save that even Worcester’s players acknowledged midway through the second half. Richards lashed one low and hard to Horton’s right and the goalkeeper reacted swiftly to keep the scoreline level.

But Worcester duly found the opener in the 73rd minute and it had been coming. Lockett, who scored Worcester's goal at The Robins' Nest on Saturday, curled one towards goal and it deflected off Ethan Green to wrong-foot Horton and fly into the top-right corner.

Knowle believed Worcester should have been reduced to 10 players when Copeland was brought down in the 82nd minute. He went down under Wise’s challenge when he may otherwise have been through on goal, but referee Callum Johnson opted to brandish his yellow card instead of his red one.

Worcester almost doubled their lead as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Substitute Fabio Salmon turned away from Knowle captain Lewis Clarke and drove forward but couldn’t quite find the corner from close range.

The home supporters were delighted when the full-time whistle blew and that says it all. Knowle were no roll-overs for Worcester, who were made to work at full capacity to secure their progression to the Second Round Qualifying.

The Robins can't rue this result for long - they have an important FA Vase clash against Ashby Ivanhoe to prepare for. The Second Qualifying Round tie will take place at The Robins' Nest on Saturday, September 12, with kick-off at 3pm.

And the club's FA Cup dream isn't yet over because the Women's side are in Second Round Qualifying action against Port Vale Women at The Robins' Nest on Sunday, September 20. Kick-off for that one is at the earlier time of 2pm.