Robins Caught Cold But Recover To Put Heat On Earls

After this match, the Robin’s Assistant Manager, Ash Weeks told me, “It was a game of two halves. I thought Dylon Bennett changed the game. We gave a really good second half performance.”

That sums this match up rather well. With Clive Seeley serving suspension, Ash was left in charge. On a grey, dull, and damp Saturday afternoon, the Robins were caught cold from the first. Earlswood Town started with gusto, purpose, and verve. In the first minute, Knowle lost the ball in mid-field. Town poured forward. Jack Tregartha miss-kicked. The Earls made the most of the situation. Lucky for the Robins the ball finally went for a Goal-Kick. It was a warning of things to come; a warning Knowle did not heed.

Jordan McKenzie was a real thorn in Knowle’s side, or to be more accurate – defence. He was unlucky with a couple of shots, but on six minutes, Knowle once again lost the ball in mid-field. McKENZIE raced on to beat defender and ‘Keeper to open the scoring. It was no more than the visitors deserved.

Far from spurring The Robins on, the goal seemed to have the reverse effect. Passes went astray. The ball skidded under players feet. The mid-field was not so much misfiring, as absent. What made matters even worse, was that the harder they tried, the worse they got!

The game was all Earlswood’s. The Robins were second best in every respect, and one feared a second goal for the Earls would be decisive. However, as the first half continued, the Earls seemed to run out of steam, or ideas. Lewis Cosgrove began to play a real Captain’s part. He drove his colleagues on. His instructions from the back dragged Knowle into the game. He convinced hie teammates that it was not a lost cause.

Just after the half-hour mark, we had an ugly scene. A clash involving Nathan Corry off the ball, brought twenty players, and some from the bench, into a real scrum. Referee Joseph Coyle and his Assistant, Guy Thrower, were on hand. When all cooled down, Corry and Street were shown yellow cards. Before this incident one felt that trouble was brewing. Yet the actions of Referee Coyle and Assistant Thrower, calmed it all down.

Jack Tregartha made a wonderful save late on in the half to keep the home side in the game. There was still time for George Seeley go down with what appeared to be a Ham-String injury. He was in a bad way and immediately replaced by Dylon Bennett. It was to be the change that altered everything. As the players trouped into the Dressing Rooms for the break, the crowd around me were wondering what the second half would bring.

With Earlswood Town taking an age at free and goal kicks, there were shouts from the crowd for more yellow cards. Yet with ten minuets added time for the first period, it seemed that Mr Coyle dealt with the situation in a subtle way.  Whatever happened in the home dressing room, whatever Ash Weeks said at half time, it altered everything. At the re-start Dylon Bennett’s presence meant Knowle could control the game. Passes found their destination. Balls controlled first time. Eleven individuals became a team.

It took just one minute for this to manifest itself. There was action in the Earls Area, appeals for a penalty were turned down and as play continued, Earls ‘Keeper Farr parried the ball away only for CHARLIE MORRIS to tap home the equalizer.  From this moment on the Robins were in control. LEWIS COSGROVE headed powerfully into the net from a corner to take the lead. This followed a tremendous save by Farr.

Although Town did not give in, doing all they could to make progress, it was beyond them. TOM CULLEN responded well when Farr kicked the ball straight to him, making no mistake to add a third goal.  Deep into added time, new boy PETER BAILEY capped his debut by latching on to a wonderful cross from the left and making the score four. This flattered Knowle somewhat, but the change in their second half performance certainly deserved the win, with Dylon Bennett man of the match.

Knowle FC: Tregatha; McArdle; Payne; Andrews; Cosgrove [63]; Fox; Morris [46] (Arthur); Regan (Bailey [90+4]); Corry; Seeley (Bennett); Cullen [80]. Sub not used Delaney.

Knowle’s next Match: On Saturday 18th December 2021, Knowle are at home to Fairfield Villa for a MFL Division Two match. Kick off at Hampton Road, is at 1400. It will be another tough match.