Robins Punish Lacklustre Spartak

Bank Holiday Monday still serves up football in the Midland Football League, even if the Premier and Football Leagues have abandoned it. It must however, be said, that these two sides were not really a match. The Robins were superior in every respect, acquitting themselves rather well on a difficult pitch.

Depleted by injuries and unavailability, the Robins Joint Managerial Team chose to play without an experienced front-runner. Nevertheless, they were far too good for the home side who managed just one attempt on goal in the whole match.  In possession and territory, it must have worked out at 80% to 20% in the Robins’ favour. Four goals was the minimum result given the chances that went astray and the chances that were thrown away. This match could easily have ended with a double digit score.

Inside ten minutes, OWEN WARD latched on to a cross from the left. He trapped the ball, sized up his chance, and shot into the net. With the visiting supporters waiting for the goal fest, we reached the break without any more scoring. Considering the amount of time Knowle spent in the Spartak half of the park, this was remarkable. Yet it was due to the Robins inability to convert chances into goals. 

The Robins back four were surplus to requirements for most of the match, and it was no surprise when Lewis Cosgrove was sacrificed for Ash Weeks. The substitute played in front of a back three, breaking up what little Spartak had to offer, and stimulating his own mid-field and front runners.  Just on the hour mark LEWIS CLARKE doubled the lead, heading home a Ward corner.  Dylon Bennett was having a superb game, he crowned it with a wonderful goal. The move involved interplay between Charlie Morris, and George Seeley. BENNETT saw his chance and ran – well I say ran – his legs just ate up the yards, as he raced from mid-field to connect with the ball in the Area to score. It was a goal to cap any performance. 

Late on, a poor clearance by Spartak fell to Zak Parsons, he fed CHARLIE MORRIS who made no mistake from inside the area.

The game ended on a sour note. Zak Parsons picked up the ball in the Spartak half, and made progress towards the goal, His shirt was pulled by a Spartak player, at least three times. Finally; the Robin reacted. A melee involving all the players on the park followed. When all was sorted out, a Yellow Card shown to Parsons and a Free Kick to Spartak.

Within seconds, the final whistle was blown. It was three well deserved points for Knowle.

Knowle FC: Johnson; Rainey; Staley; Clarke [58]; Cosgrove (Weeks); Sinton; Bennett [66]; Ward [9]; Reynolds-Wilkins (Parsons); Seeley (Siddique); Morris [86]. Sub not used: Ben Jones.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Sat 3rd Sept 22 v Fairfield Villa KO 1500

Sat 10th Sept 22 v Boldmere S & S F AWAY KO 1500