Robins Ease Through

Ronald Crane reports from Boldmere Stadium

Although The Robins only scored two goals, it was enough for them to ease past their MFL Division Three rivals, DSC Utd on a very cold evening at the well-appointed Boldmere Stadium. In many ways it was a strange match, with both sides playing a passing game but with different set ups. DSC employing a 3 - 5 -2 formation, with Knowle preferring a 4 – 2 – 3- 1 set up.

Both sides set about their task with gusto and the 3G pitch encouraged the passing game. Yet the home side’s passing rarely led anywhere, whereas The Robins controlled the match with a well-marshalled defence and midfield. Hayden Seymour was outstanding. For United, the impressive Ahmed Ali gave a cultured performance that ensured The Robins were restricted to just two goals. But for him, it could have been more.

Untied began well enough and caused The Robins’ defence some worries in the opening exchanges. But with their first attack Charlie Morris sent a peach of a pass through the middle for Kartel O’Neil-Martin to score from sixteen yards. United’s endeavour took a big hit with the goal, and from that moment on it was odds-on that The Robins would be victorious.

United did make the byline and produce a cross on a number of occasions, yet there was no-one in the six yard box to meet the cross. One felt for their manager, he must have been thinking, “Oh for a Centre Forward”! The rest of the first-half passed with little excitement. The action was entirely in mid-field and with The Robins in total control.

At the break The Robins brought on Lewis Rainey and Reece Staley, and United altered their formation to match that of The Robins. It made little difference, and the affair was decided for good when Nathan Corry benefitted from really good work in mid-field by Kartel O’Neil-Martin, to double the score. 

From that moment on all United had to offer were a series of long-range efforts that were never going to trouble Craig Johnson between The Robins’ posts. As the clock ticked towards the close, United became more urgent and desperate. It was never going to close the two-goal gap. The boys in red were in total control.

The Robins now travel to meet A F C Somers of MFL Division Three on Saturday 11th February in the Quarter finals of the Saturday Vase.

Knowle: Johnson; Jones (Rainey); Seymour; Clarke; McArdle; Bennett (Walton); Morris (Gasiewski); Ricketts (Staley); Corry [63]); Seeley; O’Neil Martin [11] 

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Saturday 21st January 2023 – Knowle v Kenilworth Sporting – MFL D2 – KO 1400

Saturday 28th January 2023 – Knowle v Wake Green – Les James Cup – KO 1400

Saturday 4th February 2023 – Sutton United v Knowle – MFL D2 – KO 1430