ROBINS ON SONG

The Robins go to the top of Midland Football League Division Two on goal difference, with a complete performance against Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons FC. Make no mistake, this was a total display against opponents who became demoralised well before the break. However, the visitors, to their credit, persisted in trying to play football. It was not their fault that the Robins were singing the near perfect song.

This was a wonderful advertisement for MFL Division Two football. Not one really nasty tackle the whole afternoon. Mr East, the man in black, had a relatively easy job.

Four goals, from four different scorers. The home defenders, defended; the strikers, struck; but the midfield was where the match was won. Knowle had control of the middle of the park for whole ninety minutes. All did their job very well, with the impressive Dylon Bennett the pick of a sparkling bunch.

Boldmere began by trying to stamp their mark on the occasion, but Nathan CORRY – wearing the number nine shirt, put paid to that as early as the fourth minute. Ryan Andrews on the left sent the ball forward and Corry hooked the ball home in spectacular fashion. Boldmere never recovered. Knowle never looked back.

It was not until the thirty-minute mark that the visitors had any success in terms of possession and that was snuffed out with a wonderful solo effort by Charlie MORRIS.

Before the break, Jay PAYNE let fly one of his specials, to make it three.

It surprised no-one when the visitors made three changes for the re-start. Did they fare better, or did the home side take their foot off the pedal? A bit of both perhaps? 

Certainly: Knowle were not as fluent with their passing, resorting to pumping hopeful balls forward. Consequently, the match lost some of its sparkle, without The Robins ever being in danger of conceding. 

Boldmere managed just one shot on target in the whole match, and that was in the ninety-third minute!

There was still time for substitute Kaine WILLIAMS to make it four when he ran on to a through ball to tap home.

This was a convincing victory. After the match Manager Clive Seeley was preening his plumage, telling me that he thought he had just seen his side’s best performance this season so far. No on will disagree with that.

Next Saturday, Knowle are away at Village 1st A in the Birmingham County Saturday Vase. A preview on Friday or Saturday morning.

Knowle FC: Tregatha; McArdle; Payne [43]; (Williams [83]); Andrews; Cosgrove ©; Delaney; Cullen (Arthur); Seeley (Fox); Corry [4]; Bennett; Morris [34]. Subs not used: Dodd & Paterson.