Points Shared Away at Fairfield

Ronald Crane reports from Stourbridge Road

The pitch at Stourbridge Road survived a morning inspection, and although just about playable, provided a tough test for both sides.

The Robins were first out of the blocks and dominated for the first half-hour. As we approached the thirty minutes mark, the impressive Darren Green beat the Robin’s left-sided defence and shot low from ten yards. The ball bobbled as Craig Johnson dived to save, and the ball ended up in the net. It was one of just two shots on goal by Villa in the first half.

Knowle were finding the pitch difficult and although they pushed forward, that well-oiled, fluent style was missing. Nine minutes after Villa had edged in front, they were pegged back. A Jay Rendell cross from the right was tapped home by Nathan Corry with the home defence all at sea. 

The visiting support in the sizeable crowd now expected The Robins to push on and secure a win. It was not to be. Knowle tried hard enough, but too many false passed and missed tackles, made life difficult. This was the more so, since Villa were growing in confidence.

The whole of the second half was one of frustration for The Robins. They had all the play, all the territory, all the chances, yet without profit. Villa defended deep and with resolve and stubbornness. They still attempted to grab a breakaway goal, but the Knowle defence never looked like being breached a second time. All the action was in the home side’s half of the pitch. Yet that second goal just would not come, despite the good news of Brandan Hague coming on as a late substitute. This was due to some high quality goal keeping by Joshua Meynell, and some wayward and wasteful shooting,

Nevertheless, The Robins did not give up, and deep into added time, they had the ball in the net, only for it to be flagged “off-side”. It was a harsh decision, all the more so galling as video recording did not appear to support the decision.

Knowle FC: Johnson; Taylor; Rainey; Clarke (Jones); McArdle (c); Bennett; Corry [34] (Harrison); Sinton (Hague); Rendell; Scott; Craine (Mullen). Sub not used: Burston Keeley.

Yellow Cards: Taylor; Sinton & Bennett.