MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIV 2, 09/10/2021
The Robin's Nest, (Draintech Community Stadium), Hampton Road,
Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NX
It's time for me to fly over to the Robins Nest ground of Div 2, Midland Football League team of Knowle F.C., who are currently riding high in the league table. The first four teams, (Fairfield Villa, Coton Green, Knowle and Cadbury Athletic) are all in very close proximity to each other and there is the prospect of a very exciting title race for this season between them.
I take the short rail journey to Dorridge and then catch the A8 bus to the High Street of Knowle village. Again I am lucky with the weather, with it being cloudy but with plenty of sunny intervals.
I make it in to Knowle village centre and it's a very smart shopping area, much better than some town centres that come to mind. I have a panini and coffee at a local coffee shop and make my way to the ground which is just 5 minutes walk away.
It's a venue I have visited twice before and the third time I have watched Knowle, with every time resulting in a Knowle victory!
The ground is now called the 'Draintech Community Stadium' no doubt due to a sponsorship deal. I walk in and pay my £3 entry fee that comes with a free programme and it looks to be the last one!
Today's visitors from Boldmere, are in a mid table position (sixth) and I think that Knowle will probably win 3-1 but I'm not known for my accurate predictions.
I'm a bit put out that I won't be able to take any photos from the end nearest the entrance as there is a mesh fence right across there to stop stray balls going over the hedge and in to a neighbouring property. So I decide to go to the far side of the ground, a few yards away from the small stand (seats for 48 spectators), with the portacabin like club house, close by on the other side and then further along the changing rooms and toilets.
The far end of the pitch is accessible to spectators and the other side has the team dugouts and it's where the car park area is located too (handy for the older spectators on a cold winter's day, as you can get a warmer view from your vehicle).
The 2 teams come out and the home team are resplendent in their usual red shirts, black shorts and socks. Boldmere have to change from their usual red and black stripes, to a mainly dark blue kit with yellow trimmings.
It's Boldmere on the attack for the first few minutes but Knowle hit back quickly and see a header just go over the bar. After 6 mins, the home team take the lead with their No.9, Nathan Corry, taking advantage of a mix up in the Boldmere defence to slot home from close in.
It's mainly 'The Robins' on the offensive after this and 'The Falcons' keeper is definitely the busier of the two.
Coming in to the last 15 minutes of this half, the visitors start to mount some attacks of their own, inspired by their captain Matty Tyler. He is an excellent box to box midfielder who I saw play for one of my then local teams from 5 years ago, Worcester Raiders and was one of their key players at that time in an improving team (seen in action below).
However this proves to be a false dawn for Boldmere's hopes as some more sloppy defending on their part, sees Knowle's Charlie Morris score from close in.
Just a minute before half-time sees a slick attacking move by Knowle, from right to left across the pitch sees their No.3, Jay Payne, score goal number 3! Then in injury time, Knowle's George Seeley screws his shot just wide when he should have scored.
So Knowle are 3 goals to the good at the interval and have been the sharper team, with a good pressing game, helping to force mistakes from the visitors.
During half-time a man called Ronald Crane comes over to me and introduces himself and asks if I can provide some photos for the club's Facebook page. Of course I'm happy to oblige and he is the guy who writes the match reports for the programme, which turns out to be a good informative read.
The first team's last match turned out to be a closely fought 1-1 draw with 4th placed Cadbury Athletic and also there is a match report on the Ladies team's FA Cup victory over the higher ranked Coundon Court Ladies from Coventry.
It's good to see the club doing well and Knowle go close to scoring again after just 5 minutes of play in the 2nd half when one of their attackers beats the Boldmere keeper to the ball finds the angle too acute to score from.
Another good attempt in the 78th minute sees a Knowle player spotting the visitor's keeper some way off his line and his attempted lob sails just over the bar.
Yet another defensive mix up by Boldmere sees the ball go to a Boldmere substitute, Kaine Williams, who takes it past the keeper and strokes it in to an empty net.
An emphatic victory to The Robins who have certainly clipped the wings of The Falcons, who will have to work on their defensive short comings if they want to improve their season.
Knowle are looking likely title contenders and indeed with today's result and results elsewhere, they leapfrog on goal difference over former leaders Fairfield Villa in to top spot!
It's interesting to read in the programme that Knowle are looking to move to another nearby site that will enable them to have on site training facilities and an all-weather playing surface too.
I have enjoyed my visit today, pleased with keeping my 100% viewing, winning record for Knowle FC.
I make the short walk in to the High Street and while waiting for the bus I take a photo of the church and village sign across the road.
Match attendance 51
Entrance fee £3
Programme Free
Match entertainment 7/10
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