Knowle entertained Barnt Green Spartak in their opening fixture of the new season on Saturday. The opening 15 minutes proved to be a scrappy affair with neither side able to create much in the way of chances. The game came to life in the 15th minute when Yahiya Todd picked up the ball at the back and played the ball through to Luke Fox who rounded the visiting keeper before slotting home. Tez Morton came close to doubling the lead with a speculative shot from distance that slid just wide. Barnt Green had a big penalty shout turned away in the 20th minute when their striker and Craig Johnson in the home goal collided after a through ball had split the home defence. Jamie Smith came close for the home side with a free kick from 25 yards out in the 25th minute but Knowle didn't have to wait long for the second as a minute later Morton played in Steven Ruck with a cross-field ball and Ruck cut back for Kieran Day to side-foot home from 8 yards. Ruck spurned a chance to make it 3-0 when after good work down the right he went for goal when perhaps the better option was to cut the ball back for his striker partner Smith. That was costly as a minute later Day played a loose ball across the back line that was intercepted and Barnt Green put their striker through and he hit a low drive across Johnson into the far corner from the edge of the area. Barnt Green had the chance to level 3 minutes later when they played a ball in behind the Knowle defence but this time their striker clipped the ball just wide of the advancing Johnson and the far post. In the 3rd minute of added time Smith wasted an excellent chance when he sliced a shot from 15 yards when he appeared to have time to pick his spot.
After a shaky end to the half Knowle came out stronger in the second half and nearly extended their lead within 3 minutes of the restart as Ruck tore past the full-back and cut into the area but his shot was well saved by the visiting keeper. However, he made no mistake 10 minutes into the half as Todd picked up the ball on the left and played into Morton who cleverly laid the ball onto Ruck who fired home into the top corner with his right foot to make it 3-1. Barnt Green responded immediately by playing a ball over the top but Johnson blocked the shot by the on rushing forward and Todd cleared the rebound to safety. Knowle then looked in control but it took to the 81st minute for them to extend their lead. Niall Gilbride won the ball in his own half and played an excellent through ball to Ruck who cut in off the left and hammered the ball into the net off the underside of the bar from the edge of the area. Then Knowle were awarded a penalty when Jamie Corrigan was adjudged to have been pushed over in the area. Ruck grabbed the ball and completed his hat-trick by sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 5-1. Barnt Green pulled one back a minute later with a fine headed goal after a cross from the right. Kieran Day had 2 excellent chances to add to the score but he twice hit just wide with shots from inside the area. The good win for Knowle to start the campaign was spoiled in the dying minutes when players from both sides were dismissed for violent conduct following an altercation.
Knowle now travel to newly promoted NKF Burbage on Tuesday night before hosting Bloxwich Town at Hampton Road on Saturday 19th August (3pm ko).