Under the Lights, On the Up: Knowle See Off Chelmsley in Style

George Revell reports as the Robins mark a historic night with a resounding win…

“Look out folks - Knowle FC are on the up!”

That was the message the Robins delivered as they capped off one of the best nights in the club’s 99-year history with an emphatic 3-0 win over Chelmsley Town at the Draintech Community Ground.

There was some uncertainty over the suitability of the playing surface in the hours leading up to kick-off due to the relentless rain - a pitch inspection even took place - but not even referee Abde Chourakane was going to stop Knowle from winning in style on their big night.

Connor Mort scored the historic first goal under the new floodlights and Toby Scott found another midway through the second half before Odane Barnes put the icing on the cake deep in stoppage time.

Despite the pouring rain, Knowle came out with an intensity to them and forced visiting goalkeeper Connor Hill into a very good save inside three minutes.

Toby Scott - later named man of the match - aimed a looping cross towards the far post where George Seeley was waiting. Seeley - who scored his 50th goal for the club and, coincidentally, the club’s 50th goal of the season last weekend - would have headed the Robins in front had it not been for some alert reactions from Hill to palm the ball away with his left hand.

A devastating flurry forward four-and-a-half minutes later almost saw Hayden Purves give Knowle the lead after being threaded through down the right by Barnes - but his effort went just past the far post.

Hill was called into action again three minutes later to keep out Seeley’s effort after a delightful lofted ball down the right was effortlessly plucked out of the sky by Barnes and squared into Knowle’s top scorer.

Martin McCarthy, the Deputy Mayor of Solihull, was in attendance and Knowle treated him to a goal after 25 minutes. Purves’ corner from the left into a packed six-yard box was met by Mort, who headed home emphatically to claim the honour of scoring the first goal under the floodlights.

A delightful Knowle move eight minutes later ended with Seeley firing just wide of the left-hand post and the first half came to a close without Chelmsley managing even a half-chance.

Knowle continued to battle the elements after the restart and deservedly doubled their lead with 17 minutes plus stoppages to play. Tidy work from Robins substitute Mo Shimul down the right saw him get the better of Chelmsley left-back Harry Jackson before teeing up T. Scott to finish very smartly.

The hosts continued to push forward throughout the remainder of the game and Barnes put the gloss on an already fantastic night for the Robins 10 minutes into stoppage time. 

An inviting through ball from Talib Copeland found Barnes, who rounded Chelmsley stopper Hill before stabbing into an empty net, prompting joyous scenes in B93 as Knowle made it 12 league wins on the bounce.

Joint manager Matt Seeley expressed his delight post-match about yet another dominant display from the Robins and the fantastic occasion that it was.

“It’s been an unbelievable night for the club under our new floodlights,” Matt reflected. “But it would have been an anti-climax had the boys not put up a performance to match the occasion - and they came through it in style!

“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish - and if it wasn’t for some rushed finishing, we could’ve gone in at half-time three up.

“Chelmsley came out much better in the second half and it was difficult for us to break them down, but we’d spoken about being patient in possession and waiting for the opportunity to hurt them - and that’s exactly how the second goal came about.

“It was fantastic to have Odane (Barnes) back fit - and back in the goals - after a spell out with a damaged rib. Seeing him notch our third goal capped the night off brilliantly.

“A huge credit needs to go to the players, staff and all of our incredible volunteers who’ve made this possible and set the scene for a night to remember.”

Jim Dowding, Girls Secretary at Knowle FC, also shared his take: 

“I was obviously looking forward to our first Knowle game under the new lights, so didn’t hesitate to put my name forward for gate duties,” he explained.

“When Tuesday evening finally arrived, though, it was a very wet one, and there were obvious concerns over how the pitch would hold up - as well as whether anyone would come to watch! I therefore approached the Draintech with mixed emotions, half expecting the game to be called off before it even started.

“However, the referee gave the go-ahead and, all of a sudden - despite the long-awaited moment - we were off.”

Jim was full of praise for the complete Knowle side he saw.

“I hadn’t seen the Men play in a while, although of course I’d been following their progress and, like many others, been really impressed with their run of form in this higher league.”

“But seeing them play - how tight they are as a team, how deft and intelligent they are as players - was quite something. Could Knowle do it under the pressure of a historic game, in the pouring rain, on a wet pitch and in difficult conditions? Those were the questions before kick-off - and wow, didn’t Knowle answer them all with a hugely resounding yes?!

“The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd came out despite the rain - including Deputy Solihull Mayor! Chelmsley Town, I thought, put up a good fight. Knowle approached the game without any sign of complacency and, in the end, the younger, less experienced opposition were clinically and professionally dispatched.

“I was very proud of the Men and of what they and their coaching team have achieved for Knowle FC,” Jim continued. “We were excellent in all departments, with no obvious weak points or vulnerabilities. Some fresh legs appeared later in the second half, but the quality of the football was by no means diminished. On the contrary, we continued to create chances and take the game to Chelmsley, showing our strength in depth."

Jim also praised Club Chairman Stuart Lanyon for his leadership behind the project. “The lights have put us on the footballing map, and massive credit must go to Stuart, our Chairman, as well as the many others who have supported him. Ultimately, it’s been Stu who’s driven this through.

But there’s no good in being on the map if you can’t deliver - and Knowle delivered a hugely entertaining match and an emphatic message to those taking note: look out, folks - Knowle FC are on the up!”