One Goal Enough for Knowle

Dave Sykes reports from Bloxwich Road

Two sides at opposite ends of the table, but football is not predictable! It was murky, a sticky pitch, a noticeable slope and a drive up the M6 doesn’t exactly get you in the right mood to play. Lane Head had looked at our scoring record and had set out their stall to spoil and frustrate Knowle. With Zac Parsons having to sit out a game because he had amassed 5 yellow cards Knowle still went into the game confident.

After 6 minutes of chess like moves Knowle earned a corner and all hell broke loose! Nothing unto-wards, just sheer panic in the Lane Head 6 yard box. No way could I recall who did what in the right order but we witnessed about a minute of Knowle pummelling the goal. A spot of head tennis ended with Brandon hitting the bar, then Tom Craine hit the bar, about 5 heroic blocks followed and I saw the ball hit the post. The home side just couldn’t clear their lines! Both Scott brothers had shots deflected and then finally the keeper bravely dived on the ball and Lane Head survived!

 We were then treated to a bit of slapstick as one of Lewis Clarke’s headed clearances hit the lino. He was wrong footed, dazed, juggled with his flag but just managed to stay on his feet.  Then a blow to Knowle. Skipper George Seeley, who had been showing up well, went down holding his thigh in the 18th minute. On came the talented youngster Harry Stone to full back and Callum Scott moved into mid-field. Almost immediately Callum played his brother Toby into the area and he went down under a challenge. It wasn’t given, and neither was another challenge on Odane!

Chances came thick and fast. Tom Craine hit the bar again and almost turned the ball in at the far post. Odane was on fire, hitting the post, just failing to convert a cross from Brandon but it had to come! Finally, it did. Tom played a lovely through ball and was clattered shortly after. The ref played a good advantage when he saw Odane power past his marker and this time he smashed the ball into the net. It was no more than Knowle deserved but then Knowle were awarded a penalty when Brandon was brought down when he was in full flight. Up stepped Tom Craine – he hit a ferocious shot but as the keeper dived, it hit his legs and rebounded for a corner.       

The second half started with Knowle rampant again!  Craine was really putting himself about now, determined to make up for that penalty miss but first the keeper pulled off a good saves then two shots just went wide of their target. Hague also had a couple of efforts but it was all in vain. Then to Knowle's surprise, Lane Head took control for ten minutes. Spectators were reminded why Knowle have only conceded 3 goals all season. The marking was impeccable, the headed clearances were brilliant and the composure on the ball made you realise how good these Knowle players really are. With just over ten minutes to go, Knowle took back control. Brandon deserved to score but he hit the post again. It all finished with respectful handshakes and another three points for Knowle.

Knowle: Johnson; Riddiford; Clarke; Dudley; Callum Scott; Toby Scott; Seeley; Cervantes: Hague; Barnes; Craine  Subs. Stone; Corry; Burston-Keeley; Caines.