Chelmsley Town V Knowle (Division One)

​Chelmsley were looking to build on their 1-1 draw with Lutterworth Athletic with a result against newly promoted Knowle at Pack Meadow. Their home form was a key part of their success last season with eye catching wins against play off chasing Ingles and Kirby Muxloe helping them finish above the bottom three. They were looking to keep that form going against the Robins.    

Knowle were coming off an encouraging 3-0 home win over Wednesfield to start their season in division one. The Solihull side got the three points thanks to goals from Connor Mort and Talib Copeland and were looking to keep that momentum going against Chelmsley. The visitors bought along a good following yesterday which contributed to an impressive attendance of 162. 

​Starting line ups

Chelmsley’s starting line-up included Connor Hill starting in goal and Adam Keeley captaining the team in holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Mark Rose leading the line up front and being supported by Joseph McCreath and Dylan Pahile on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Lutterworth Athletic at the weekend with Dylan Pahile coming into the team and playing on the left wing.

The starting line-up for Knowle included Domenico Roggero starting in goal and George Seeley captaining the team from attacking midfield.  The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Odane Barnes playing up front and being supported by Talib Copeland and MD Shimul on the wings.

There were three changes from their match against Wednesfield on Saturday with Callum Scott coming into the team and playing alongside Flynn Powell at centre back. 

First Half

Knowle started the match on the front foot and were given a penalty inside the opening five minutes. Talib Copeland was causing a lot of problems down the right-hand side and was bought down in the box by Sam Aldhouse for a spot kick. Connor Mort stepped up and had his effort well saved by Connor Hill who went the right way to keep it goalless.

​The Robins had the momentum in the first half and were passing the ball around with purpose with Dylon Bennett and Toby Scott helping to start off attacks from holding midfield.

They had a good chance to open the scoring when Odane Barnes found some space in the box before having a shot well blocked by Henry Walker in the 8th minute.

Chelmsley were looking to hit Knowle on the break and were happy to soak up the pressure before moving the ball quickly on the counter attack. Dylan Pahile made a well-timed run off the shoulder down the left-hand side before running into the box and having a shot hit the near post on 13 minutes. 

Sam Aldhouse was sin binned for ten minutes following an incident off the ball with Odane Barnes which reduced Chelmsley to ten men on 17 minutes.

Knowle were pressing for a goal and came close to finding the breakthrough when Odane Barnes made a brilliant run into the box before having a shot instinctively saved by Connor Hill in the 24th minute.

Dylan Pahile looked a threat at the other end for Chelmsley and impressed throughout the first half. He worked the ball into the box before having a shot well saved by Domenico Roggero who turned it round the post for a corner.

The Robins created another notable chance in front of goal near the end of the first half when Odane Barnes was free in the box before having a shot saved by Connor Hill on 38 minutes.

Chelmsley stood up to the pressure from Knowle throughout the first half and gradually grew into the game. Cheirry Barry was having an underrated game at left back. He did a good job of containing the attacking threat of Talib Copeland who threatened to run riot in the opening twenty minutes.

Henry Walker also stepped up during the sin bin to Sam Aldhouse and got some key blocks in to keep it at 0-0 going into half time. There’s a lot of experience in the Chelmsley team and that know how helped them against Knowle yesterday.

Second Half

Knowle had a good early chance in the second half when Talib Copeland squared the ball to George Seeley in the box who had a shot well saved by Connor Hill at the near post on 51 minutes.

Chelmsley were well organised off the ball and did a brilliant job of stifling the attacking quality of Knowle throughout the second half. Sam Aldhouse was reading the danger well at centre back and stepped up when it mattered yesterday.

​The chances in front of goal were more limited compared to the first half.

Knowle were pressing for a goal, but it was not quite clicking in the second half.

The Robins stood firm at the other end to not allow Chelmsley an easy goal. Callum Scott defended well at centre back and helped clear the ball away from danger. 

There was an unfortunate injury to Dylan Pahile in the middle of the second half who pulled up and had to be replaced by Deandre Davis on the left wing.

There were a few half chances for both sides in the closing stages of the second half. Chelmsley came close when substitute Liam McCullagh beat a few players before having a shot go over the bar.

The best chance for Chelmsley late on came when Deandre Davis found some space in the box before putting a shot wide of the left-hand post.

There was also a chance for Knowle to win it late on when substitute Owain Taylor beat a few players before having a shot from the edge of the box go wide of the far post.

Full Time

There were a lot of positives in this match for both sides and there’s a lot to take from it despite it finishing goalless.

​Chelmsley showed real fight and character to get a point with Knowle having a lot of the ball throughout. The organisation at the back is encouraging with goalkeeper Connor Hill making some big saves in the first half to not let the match get away from them.  

They also looked dangerous on the counter attack with Dylan Pahile impressing and taking players on down the left-hand side. Chelmsley also offered a threat from corners and throw ins which is something to build on.

Knowle were impressive yesterday in their second match at step six following promotion last season. The main positive was how comfortable the Robins looked yesterday against an experienced Chelmsley side. They linked up the play well and created some good chances which is encouraging for the season ahead.

Talib Copeland and MD Shimul looked a genuine threat down the wings and were making things happen. The holding midfield of Dylon Bennett and Toby Scott also played well and helped the visitors build momentum in the first half.   

Upcoming fixtures

It’s a busy time of the season for division one sides and it’s no different with Chelmsley Town who have five matches in the space of two weeks. They play Birstall United (Away) on Saturday before playing Smethwick Rangers (Away, next Tuesday), Cradley Town (Home, next Saturday) and Coventry Copsewood (Home, Monday 18th August).

They round it off with a crucial fixture against Smethwick Rangers (Away) in the FA Vase on Saturday 23rd August.        

Knowle also have a busy schedule and play Birmingham OJM at home on Saturday before trips to Lutterworth Athletic (Next Saturday) and Sutton United (Tuesday 19th August).

The Robins have a huge FA vase fixture against Coventry Copsewood (Home) on Saturday 23rd August before playing AFC Bridgnorth (Home) on bank holiday Monday.    

FT score: Chelmsley Town 0-0 Knowle

Man of the match: Connor Hill (Chelmsley Town)

Attendance: 162

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League