Robins Held By Sporting

Ronald Crane reports from Gypsy Lane

This was the Match of the Day in Division Two of the MFL, with second playing third. Right from the off, The Robins took control of the game. For the first half they were in control. On ten minutes, OWEN WARD converted a free kick with a magnificent effort from twenty-three yards that left George Woodward between the Sporting sticks, no chance.

Sporting did respond and caused the Robins’ defence into desperate defending. Then a long ball from the back send Myles Mason clear, but he fluffed his lines, and the chance was gone.A defensive mistake on the Robins’ left allowed CHRIS JONES to tap home after a shot was parried by Reiss Jeavons. It was a goal against the run of play and a gift.

More chances came and went for Knowle, before LEWIS COSGROVE converted a cross from the right after some pinball in the Area. 

Knowle were by far the better side in the first forty-five minutes, and ought to have been more goals to the good with six clear-cut opportunities. Would they rue those missed chances? Well, as it turned out, they would.

Sporting could not be as poor In the second-half, and they did turn on the gas after the break. The decisive moment of the game came on fifty-seven minutes. A free-kick for handball had been awarded to the Home Side wide on their left when the ball appeared to ricochet from the defender’s knee. From the free lick the ball was sent into the Robins’ Area where Sam Delaney smashed the ball forwards, only for it to hit Lewis Clarke’s arm which appeared to be across his chest as he took evasive action: he being no more than a couple of feet from Delaney. Referee Mason had no hesitation in awarding the Penalty, as the home players appealed. The Knowle players were mystified. JASON EVANS made no mistake from twelve yards.

The penalty knocked Knowle back and they took a few minutes to get back into gear. Yet Myles Mason and Jacob William Walton had clear cut chances that went begging, and for Sporting, Delaney headed and inch wide from four yards.

For the neutral, it was a great game to watch. Not for the Knowle bench or their travelling support. They were to rue those missed chances. A conversion ratio of 2/10 in comparison of Sporting’s 2/4 tell sits own tale. And, after the game, much discussion about the Penalty award.

Knowle FC: Jeavons; Rainey (McArdle); Staley; Clarke; Cosgrove © [28]; Ward [10] (Jones); Yasin Al Massry; Bennett (Seeley); Mullen; Hewwitt; Mason (William Walton); Sub not used: Weeks.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Sat 1st Oct – Knowle FC v Boldmere S & S F MFL D2 : KO 1500

Sat 8th Oct – Coventry Rangers v Knowle MFL D2 : KO 1500

Photos courtesy of Peter Ray