Robins Win the Tactical Battle

Ronald Crane reports from the New Mill Lane

This game had been eagerly awaited as the match of the day in Division Two of the Midland Football League. Not surprising, it turned out to be an action-packed afternoon. With so many ex-Knowle players in the Coton Green line-up it was always going to be a feisty affair.

The Robins named a radical line-up with George Seeley at full back! The match could not have begun better for the visitors, as in the very first minute, the unmarked Brandon HAGUE turned home a peach of a cross from the right.

Stunned Coton Green tried their best to pressure Knowle, but were thwarted over and again with stout defending and brilliant mid-field play. Dylon Bennett being the pick of a very bright bunch.

With Coton Green having the major share of possession, Knowle were content to let them play until they neared the Penalty Area, and then step in to claim the ball. 

As the first half progressed, Knowle secured more possession, and eight minutes from the break another cross from the right was half saved before Tom CULLEN tapped into the empty net to double the lead.

From the re-start, it seemed that Coton Green had woken up. They forced a corner, from which Knowle had to clear the ball off the goal line. As we all went for a well- deserved cup of tea, the score read Coton Green nil, Knowle two. It was no more than the visitors were worth.

Coton Green came out of the blocks for the second period like an express train with two attacks in the first couple of minutes. However, Knowle were well aware of their opponents’ tactics, and set about a smothering operation. Whenever Coton Green had the ball, the player was attended by two, sometimes three Robins, usually with another to spare.

With both sides getting frustrated with the Officials, it was no surprise when Coton Green went down to ten men. Corey Powell receiving a second yellow card. The home side did their best to rescue the game, but it was far too late, and too many of their players knew it was a lost cause. They were reduced to pumping long, high balls forwards. This proved meat and drink to the Knowle defenders.

As we entered the fourth quarter of the match, Knowle used their flanks to great effect and managed the game really well. Brandon Hague, among others, hugged the touch-line and found the corner flag a real friend. It was an object lesson on how to hold on to what one already had without any danger of conceding.

This was a really good win for the Robins against one of their closest rivals. All now look forward to the return match at Hampton Road.

Knowle FC: Tregatha; McArdle; Morris; Fox (Regan); Cosgrove; Delaney; Corry (Arthur); Bennett; Hague [1]; Seeley (Andrews); Cullen [37]. Subs not used Payne & Galloway.

Knowle’s next Match: On Saturday 13th November 2021, Knowle are away at Fairfield Villa. Kick-off at Stourbridge Road, Fairfield, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 9LZ, is at 1400. It will be another tough match, as once again it is second playing third.