Semi-Final Bound Robins in Superb Form

Ronald Crane reports from The Draintech Community Ground

This much anticipated cup tie was played out with a disappointingly small attendance. As it turned out, one felt sorry for those who were absent. Those of us who were at Hampton Road were treated to a first-half which Knowle just, and only just, shaded. Town could manage just one shot on target in those first forty-five minutes, whereas Jordan Elder between Town’s sticks had seven saves to make. Knowle’s chances were not gilt-edged, but they looked threatening.

This was a match of high quality and a good advert for the standard of Midland Football League Division Two. Although the visitors were kept at bay by Knowle’s iron clad defence, Town’s Odone Barnes was a constant threat. He made a real nuisance of himself, particularly in that first period.

At the other end Jay Rendell was in imperious form. He held the ball up to draw his colleagues into the attack and, aided and abetted by Khalil Harrison and Jack Mullen, they had Town‘s defence at full stretch. Opportunities for The Robins came, and went because the shot was weak, ill-directed, or saved. Just after the half-hour mark, Jay Rendell was put through by a wonderful ball Jack Mullen flick on after a ball from the back. He made no mistake and opened the scoring to be rewarded by loud cheers.

For the rest of those first forty-five minutes, there was little to choose between the sides, save that Town were kept well away from The Robins’ goal. It is a joy to have the privilege of witnessing the solid defence at The Draintech Community Ground. It does not seem to matter who the personnel are, the result is the same; a dearth of goals for the opposition.

The second-half was a totally different matter. Knowle were in full control. Only once did Alcester manage to trouble Bobby Biddle, making his debut deputising for the injured Craig Johnson.  The second period was only five minutes old when Jay Rendell doubled his, and The Robins’ tally, when he thumped the ball home. Town did not cave in, but one sensed that their task was futile. Yet still they tried to make progress forward, but to little profit.

The men in red were in total control. The eleven starters and the three substitutes were all magnificent, as Joint Manager Matthew Seeley told me afterwards.  Perhaps the loudest cheers were for an eighty first minute goal by Joe Sinton. He scored from the edge of the area, letting fly an unstoppable Exocet following a short corner routine.

This was a comprehensive win for The Robins, and although Town never stopped playing and trying for a goal, the result was foregone well before the final whistle.

The Robins, holders of this trophy, now make it into the Semi-Final, along with Fairfield Villa, Hampton, and Central Ajax.

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Knowle FC: Biddle; Rainey; Riddiford; L Clarke; McArdle (c); Bennett; Harrison (Jones); Taylor (Hague); Rendell [34; 50] (Sinton [81]) ; Scott; Mullen. Sub not used: Burston-Keeley. Yellow Card: Mullen