ROBINS MUTE....

Ronald Crane reports from Aston University Recreation Centre.

If The Robins were on song last Saturday, they were mute for this encounter. It was a real Groundhog Day. The match kicked off eight minutes late, Referee Bradley Totney waiting for the home team to get a late-comer kitted out.

When we did get under way, it was quickly apparent that a number of Robins’ players did not want to be there. This was a tardy Robins performance from the first to the last whistle. Only the central pairing of Delaney and Fox may claim any credit. 

Clive Seeley had made five changes from last Saturday, and that could be why this performance was of eleven individuals rather than the well-oiled machine we saw against Boldmere. Whatever the reason, Knowle rarely produced any of those wonderful flowing quick passing movements through mid-field that we have become accustomed to enjoy. Instead, they resorted to hopeful punts up-field.

Village took the game by the throat sensing that they had more than a good chance. Cajoling from the Knowle Captain fell on deaf ears. The play was slow and disjointed. Instead of upping the pace, Knowle rushed at things. Kaine Williams received little service, and when he did receive the ball with back to goal – a joy to see this dying art by the way – he had limited options open to him.

There was no lack of effort by Knowle, but it was all to no avail. They harder they tried, the worse it got. 

However, one felt that it was there, and patience would be rewarded. Disaster struck in the eighteenth minute. Village produced a cross from their right, the ball seemed to ricochet before a shot hit the inside of the post. The ball rebounded out at speed, hit an unsuspecting Dylon BENNETT and rebounded into the net. It was wretched luck on The Robins, but Village knew that had a real chance now. All they had to do was frustrate their opponents and not concede.

It is a tactic we have seen many times before in League matches. The misfortunate way the goal was conceded knocked a number of Knowle players back. They tried hard, but the damage had been done and the home side had enough about them to know it and capitalise upon it.

The second half started much as the first had ended. Yet as the minutes ticked by Knowle gradually got on top. Then: disaster again. A long high ball was pumped forward Alex Paterson jumped for it on the edge of the Penalty Area, along with Village ‘Keeper Oliver. Did Paterson handle the ball? Whether he did or did not became irrelevant as Oliver took him out with a terrible challenge. It took the first aid staff eight minutes to get the lad into any kind of shape to leave the field, helped by two colleagues. Now: we all wondered what the outcome would be. Was the challenge in the Area or not? If it was, then a yellow card and penalty surely? If not, would it be a straight red, as Oliver was the last man by some distance. The people on the side-lines all seemed to think they were the two options. Village were worried as their advice to the Referee made clear, Knowle hopeful. As it turned out Mr Totney showed the Goalkeeper a yellow card and awarded Knowle a free-kick outside the Area. Disbelief from the Knowle people, total joy from the Village people.

The sense of injustice felt by the visiting players could be felt by all watching. Still they did their best to force the home side back, and succeeded in this. So much so, that with a melee of players in the Village Area, the Referee awarded Knowle a penalty. Now, surely their quality would show. Jay Payne’s spot kick was saved by the stand-in Goalkeeper, he attacked the follow up only for the Assistant Referee to flag a colleague off-side.

Knowle however, continued to press forward and some Village players were showing signs of running out of steam. But they held on. We had an awful lot of added time with Village pressed back and Knowle charging forward. Of course, the inevitable happened. The impressive BELGRAVE chased a lost cause, disturbed the Knowle defence and slotted home for a second goal.

It was all over. A wretched day for Knowle, who now cannot wait to get to grips with their League campaign and the visit of Bolehall Swifts next Saturday.

Knowle FC: Tregatha; Dodd; Payne; Andrews; Fox; Delaney; Paterson (Cullen); Regan; Williams (Corry); Bennett [18og]; Galloway. Subs not used: McArdle & Seeley.

Knowle FC Next Match - Saturday 23rd October 2021: Knowle FC v Bolehall Swifts FC MFL Division 2. KO 1500.