SWIFTS WINGS CLIPPED BY RAMPANT ROBINS

Tim Delaney Reports from Rene Road

Following the disappointing display in the previous game on Bank Holiday Monday, The Robins were looking for an instant return to winning ways and that was clear with the visitors creating 3 excellent opportunities within the opening 6 minutes of the match.

First Paterson drove down the left wing and delivered a teasing cross for Hague but the ball was cleared, almost immediately after this Hague had another great chance but the Swift’s keeper saved low to his right. Next up was the best chance so far following great work down the left from Curry who set Seeley away ‘1 on 1’ with the keeper but Seeley dragged his shot and the keeper tipped round the far post for a corner to The Robins. Curry whipped in the corner and Delaney rose highest but glanced his header just wide of the far post.

It really was a strong and determined start from the visitors with Andrews and Player of the Match Regan dominating the midfield, winning almost every ball and limiting Bolehall Swifts to only the occasional foray forward. On one such occasion the Swift’s striker found himself through on goal but skipper Delaney was alert to the danger and timed his tackle to perfection to win the ball and clear the danger.

Paterson was cautioned for a mistimed tackle but the resultant Swift’s free kick was wasted and sailed over the crossbar. The first real action of note for Tregartha came in the 30th minute as he made an excellent save low to his right, the resultant corner was delivered into the box but Tregartha was quickly off his line to punch bravely clear through a crowd of players.

On 31 minutes the deadlock was finally broken as Andrews took advantage of an error from the home defence to set HAGUE clear who neatly placed the ball through the onrushing keeper’s legs into the net.

The Robin’s finished the half in total charge of this match and on 36 minutes got their just rewards as Cullen was clean through on goal only to be scythed down inches outside the box leaving the referee no choice but to dismiss the Swift’s defender. The resultant free kick was only parried by the keeper and it was CULLEN himself who reacted quickest to tap home from close range.

Half Time: Bolehall Swifts 0 vs 2 Knowle FC

The 2nd half started with Bolehall on the front foot but their efforts did not last long as their 10 men were no match for the Robins who were in no mood to relinquish their strong hold on the game. Much like the first half, the visitors spurned good opportunities early on with Cullen again threatening but his goal bound effort was tipped round the post by the home keeper. Cullen was again involved in the next excellent chance, this time he turned provider delivering a pinpoint cross to the edge of the box which Hague acrobatically volleyed just over the crossbar. Excellent wing play from Seeley saw him deliver an inviting cross to the far post which Cullen headed narrowly wide.

On 59 minutes Knowle made a substitution with Williams replacing the tireless Paterson and shortly after his introduction Williams nearly made it 0 vs 3 as he received the ball in the box, turned smartly and shot just wide of the far post. However the Robin’s did get extend their lead on 68 minutes as yet another corner was only half cleared by the home defence, the ball was delivered back into the box by Regan and it somehow found it’s way through the crowd of players to DELANEY who bought the ball down neatly then slotted home from close range.

With the victory now all but assured, the Robin’s made a double substitution with Harbon replacing the excellent Andrews in midfield and Arthur replacing the assured Dodd at right back. The sharp and dangerous Cullen almost scored a 4th for the visitors on 72 minutes following more good work from Hague but from half a yard out Cullen somehow put the ball wide of the far post when it looked easier to score!

With the home side now looking leggy and well and truly beaten, there was still time for Seeley to try his luck after driving down the left wing, cutting inside and smashing his shot against the crossbar before the result was sealed in the 81st minute when Curry delivered yet another excellent corner into the box and as the home defender tried to clear the ball, it struck CULLEN and rebounded into the net for his 2nd of the match.

Full Time: Bolehall Swifts 0 vs 4 Knowle FC

Knowle FC Starting Line Up: Tregartha, Dodd, Paterson, Regan, Delaney, McArdle, Cullen, Andrews, Hague, Seeley, Curry

Subs Used: Williams for Paterson (59’), Harbon for Andrews (69’) and Arthur for Dodd (69’)

Subs Unused: Cosgrove and Galloway

Knowle FC ‘Man of the Match’: Regan

Knowle FC Yellow Card: Paterson

Knowle FC Goals: Hague (31’), Cullen (36’ and 81’), Delaney (68’)

Following the match, Robin’s Manager, Clive Seeley said, “Although it was a pleasing result for us, the performance was inconsistent in parts and had we converted the numerous chances we created today then the result would have looked far more convincing from our point of view”