Knowle earn hard fought point against Moors Academy

Knowle earn hard fought point against Moors Academy

In a bright opening to the game Knowle had the first real chance with Steven Ruck curling a free kick just wide of the right hand upright in the 2nd minute. Moors nearly took the lead with a rasping shot from 25 yards that hit the outside of the post. Knowle responded with 3 chances fo their own. From a break Ruck split the defence for Reis Woolley to run through on goal but was denied by an excellent save at his feet by the home keeper. Brother Keegan Woolley then hit the side netting after creating an opening in the box before Ruck fired a free kick down the throat of the home keeper from 30 yards. That prompted Moors to take control of the game and Knowle had to survive a couple of goalmouth scrambles and two long range efforts that just missed the target before Conal Dowling punched the ball off the head of their striker when a ball was hit in behind the Knowle defence. Nathan Corry then blocked a shot at close range when a goal for Moors seemed inevitable. Having survived the pressure Knowle then got their noses in front in the last minute of the half when George Seeley latched onto a Ruck throw into the area and cut back across goal for Reis Woolley to slot home from close range.
Knowle nearly doubled their lead in the 6th minute of the second half with a move down the left with Woolley squaring the ball to Niall Attenborrow for his shot to be kept out by an excellent save low to his right by the home keeper. Moors went close with a shot that curled wide of the post from 20 yards before Ruck pulled the ball back for Sam Hulme to scuff a left foot shot wide from 8 yards. Moors drew level in the 70th minute when a shot from the right was deflected off the head of Nick Oakley past Dowling.
The final twenty minutes saw Knowle under heavy pressure with the back four of Naill Attenborrow, man of the match Nick Oakley, Ashley Weekes and the outstanding Rhys Mason repulsing the young Moors side. The home side must be disappointed that they hit several attempts wide of the target as the confident Conal Dowling in Knowle’s goal didn’t really have to make an important save.

It was very pleasing to all the Knowle supporters and management to see striker Tom Crane make a ten minute appearance near the end of the game. Tom looked sharp and eager so we wish him well for the new year. A 1-1 draw keeps Knowle in 5th position although Smithswood in 6th have at least 5 games in hand on us.

Knowle next face Fairfield Villa at home in the quarter final of the Les James Cup on Saturday 6th January with a 1.45pm ko.

Updated 22:45 - 31 Aug 2019 by Grant Harrison