Wolves With Far Too Much Quality for Knowle

For the second year in a row, County Cup Quarter Finals meant a visit from Wolves Women to Hampton Road. The highest ranked side in the competition were always going to represent a tough challenge for Knowle Ladies, but they battled hard throughout and kept things respectable, despite the eventual 0-5 score line

Knowle had to make a number of changes to the team due to injury and half term week; Claudia Mbanga came in for her debut in goal, at left back Celina Smallwood was handed her first start since a bad ankle injury and the formation changed accordingly. The home side set themselves up to be hard to beat, and caused issues in the opening stages whilst Wolves got to grips with the unpredictable pitch. Demi Rolph flew down the left side but couldn’t quite get her cross past Turner in the Wolves goal. However, poor marking in the box let Knowle down as early as the 7^th minute when Beth Roberts’ cross was headed home by Amy Dicken. Knowle were two down soon after, with another left sided attack from Wolves allowing Beth Merrick to skip round two challenges and tee up Ali Miller. Contest over, but if anything that helped Knowle tighten up and provide a sterner defence. 

The Knowle Girls junior section were out in force again to cheer on their adult counterparts, and when Knowle managed get on the counter attack on a number of occasions, their voices were definitely well heard! Kate Fleming stole the ball in midfield and set Rolph running through, she slipped a pass to Jess Holland on the edge of box but she couldn’t get enough power behind her shot. Mbanga had to be alert to danger at the other end, collecting a high ball before being flattened by Miller, then palming a close range effort wide. She was aided by Maz Byrne, Sam Smith & Bex Clarke in front of her all making blocks and tackles to stem the flow. Another Knowle counter attack caused consternation in the Wolves backline however, Rolph showing good feet to go through on goal, but she hesitated to shoot and Laura Cooper was able to get back in and block her eventual attempt. Wolves then went close with a long range pile driver that flew just over the bar.  The away side did grab their third just before half time; Darcy Cartwright made her way into the box out wide on the right and attempted to cross; the ball skewed off her foot and unfortunately looped over Mbanga into the net.

Knowle worked hard throughout the second half to try and restrict Wolves as best they could, and push forward where possible. Indeed, they were the first team on the attack again; Morgan Betteridge’s cross caused confusion between keeper Shan Turner and a defender who headed it out from in front of her; Rolph was inches away from the loose ball before Turner collected. As the Robins tired, it became more of a last ditch defending scenario.  Byrne in particular was putting in tackles all around the penalty area, and Mbanga made two excellent saves. Wolves’ fourth goal came from a corner when Anna Price beat Smith in the air to nod back across and in at the unguarded post. They also nearly extended the lead when Katie Johnson’s fierce shot cannoned off the cross bar – it was so well hit it rebounded 20 yards!  Abi Morris and Ebony Harris came on for Knowle and offered some fresh legs to help with the workload, Morris in particular pressing everything Wolves played across their backline. In stoppage time, the away team bagged their fifth goal; good interplay up top allowed Dicken to sneak in on the blindside and bend a fine finish into the net.  

No surprise that the County Cup is over for another year then, but Knowle will be proud of their attitude and effort once more. 

Knowle: Mbanga, Smallwood (Harris, 50), Smith, Clarke, Byrne, Betteridge, Gibson (Morris, 67), Fleming, Rolph, Holland, Barlow.