White Inspires Knowle to Comfortable Win

Knowle Ladies took their time to get going on Sunday, but once they found their shooting boots they were lethal and racked up a big 8-1 win against Long Itchington.

The home side were in complete control of the game throughout and in the early stages they did everything bar putting the ball in the back of the net. Long Itchington defended stoutly and with numbers, particularly in central areas but Knowle were still able to create plenty of chances. Unfortunately, they were wasteful in that first 30minutes, with several players shooting off target from promising positions.

Substitutes Nadia Bacciochi , Natalie Gibson and Camile Abbotts added extra creativity and increased the pressure on the away side, and Knowle’s patience eventually go them the breakthrough they deserved. Emma Shaw teed up Demi Rolph and although the Long Itchington keeper saved her shot, Alana White was on hand to mop up and place the loose ball into the net. That opened the floodgates for Knowle. Soon after they were two goals to the good; Abi Morris showed composure to play they ball forward under pressure and two passes later, White was cutting the ball back for Gibson to slam it home. 

Despite the fact that Knowle could have been several more goals ahead, Long Itchington did have their moment in that first half; a defensive error allowed Humera Ashfaq through on goal, but she shot straight into the grateful arms of Katy Smirthwaite.

Although the two nil score line wasn’t a true reflection of Knowle’s dominance in the first half, the second period proved to be far more fruitful. White bagged her second of the game early on when she finished off Gibson’s through ball. The young forward was the best player on the park by a long way, and was thoroughly enjoying herself down the right side. She linked up with Kate Fleming before chasing down a seemingly lost cause in the corner and crossing for Rolph to volley in Knowle’s fourth from close range.  

The Robins had the advantage of a full bench compared to Long Itchington’s bare eleven, and the extra legs and superior fitness was beginning to take a significant toll on the resolute away side. Gibson scored her second directly from a free kick before Bacciochi and Rolph also both went close to scoring, as the ball seemed stuck in the Long Itchington half.  The latter made no mistake on her next opportunity though; Gibson rolled her in behind and she fired past the keeper. The gaffer then picked up her hat-trick with a superb finish; Camile Abbotts created space and slipped it square just outside the box and Gibson lobbed the keeper with her effort.

There was still time in the game for Knowle to make it eight; Abbotts steering a ball across to Jess Barlow who met it well in front of the keeper and dinked it into the net. The only blot on Knowle’s copybook came with the last kick of the game; the defenders did not deal with a free kick lofted towards the back post and Ashfaq snuck in to poke past Smirthwaite for a consolation goal to Long Itchington; 8-1 the final score.

Plenty of bright spots for Knowle to be pleased with despite that late lapse however; creating chances from all over the park and using the space well. Big performances from a number of players won’t go unnoticed as the squad prepare for the last few games of the season and the cup final.

Knowle: Smirthwaite, Smallwood, Smith, Byrne, Shaw, Clarke (Fleming, 30), Barlow (Gibson, 30), Holland (Abbotts, 30), Betteridge (Morris (30), Rolph (Bacciochi, 30), White.