Knowle V Leicester St Andrews (Division One)

​Knowle were looking to continue their impressive form against last season’s play off finalists Leicester St Andrews at the Robins Nest yesterday. It’s been an eye-catching start for the Robins following promotion from division two last season with eleven wins from thirteen matches cementing their place in the top three going into the weekend.

The Robins were coming off eight straight wins in division one and narrowly lost to Romulus in the first round of the MFL league cup on penalties in mid-week. It’s also been a successful season off the pitch with the installation of floodlights over the last week to support a busy schedule of upcoming matches at step six.

They also had the best defensive record in the league with just eight goals conceded under manager Matt Seeley.      

Leicester St Andrews have quietly grown into the season following last season’s narrow loss to Coton Green on penalties in the play-off final. The Drews were coming into the weekend with some momentum with four wins from their last six matches in division one.    

The visitors are part of a group of teams who look capable of challenging for the play offs throughout the season. They were sitting in 9th going into yesterday and only four points off Bilston Town in 5th with three games in hand over the Steelmen. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line-up for Knowle included Matt Horton starting in goal and George Seeley captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Josh Parsons playing up front and being supported by Talib Copeland and Hayden Purves on the wings.

There were six changes from their match against Romulus in mid-week with Jack Duggan coming into the team and playing at centre back alongside Ricardo Dudley.

The starting line up for Leicester St Andrews included Charlie Andrews starting in goal and Corey Bucalossi captaining the team from central midfield. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with a front two of Zakari Adams and Greg Mills being supported by Archie Wood in the number ten role.

There were four changes from their match against Wednesfield last weekend with Tom Harris coming into the team and playing on the right wing. 

​First Half

Knowle got off to a positive start in the opening stages of the first half and created a good chance when Connor Mort made a promising run into the box from a corner before heading over the bar on 6 minutes.

The Robins looked like a side in form and took the lead in the 7th minute when Toby Scott beat a few players before finding Talib Copeland in the box who produced a quality finish into the top right corner for 1-0.

Knowle were organised off the ball throughout the first half and did a good job of limiting the clear-cut chances for Leicester St Andrews. Jack Duggan impressed at centre back and was constantly clearing the danger for the Robins.

​The hosts had the momentum in the opening half an hour and capitalised to make it 2-0 on 24 minutes. George Seeley found some space in the box from a free kick before producing a composed finish into the bottom left corner.

The visitors kept going in search of a way back into it and found the breakthrough on 26 minutes when a defensive mix up at the back allowed Greg Mills to head into the top left corner for 2-1.  

The Leicester striker was a constant threat for the Drews yesterday and made some promising runs off the shoulder to help them build some momentum up front.

Knowle created some good chances in the closing stages of the first half and came close to making it 3-1.   

Talib Copeland looked a threat and was making things happen for the Robins down the right-hand side. He found some space in the final third before running through on goal with just Charlie Andrews to beat. The Leicester keeper stepped up and made a huge save on 33 minutes.  

The Knowle winger created another good chance a few minutes later when he beat a few players down the left before squaring the ball to Josh Parsons in the box. He created a bit of space before having a shot well blocked by Andy Melville on 35 minutes.

The visitors were growing into the game at 2-1 down with Charlie Andrews making some crucial saves to keep them in the match. Dylon Bennett had a shot from the edge of the box well saved by the Leicester keeper who tipped it round the post for a corner just before half time.

Second Half

Leicester St Andrews started the second half brightly and had a good fifteen-minute spell of momentum. Their best chance for an equaliser came on 55 minutes when a free-flowing move saw Tom Harris through on goal before having a shot well saved by Matt Horton.  

The visitors showed flashes of their attacking quality yesterday and caused Knowle some problems throughout the second half.

The Robins were able to see out the pressure from Leicester and make it 3-1 thanks to a well worked corner that found Connor Mort at the back post who headed into the top right corner on the hour mark.

There were moments yesterday where Leicester asked some questions of the Robins who were able to respond when it mattered. The third goal for Knowle felt important and broke up some of Leicester’s earlier momentum.  

The visitors pulled a goal back from the spot on 70 minutes though thanks to a penalty kick. Ricardo Dudley got the wrong side of Sam Carroll before fouling the Leicester attacker in the box for a spot kick. Greg Mills stepped up and produced a composed finish into the bottom left corner for 3-2.

Knowle kept going and responded well to the setback. Jack Duggan found some space in the box before having his header tipped over the post by Charlie Andrews on 75 minutes.

There was a bad looking injury to Andy Melville for the visitors on 80 minutes who had to be subbed off late on. He impressed on the left-hand side of the back three for Leicester and read the danger well for the visitors yesterday.

Knowle were able to seal the match on 81 minutes when Jack Duggan headed the ball onto Talib Copeland at the back post who finished into the top right corner for 4-2.  

The use of set pieces was a real strength for the Robins yesterday and made the difference in this match. They looked sharp from set pieces delivered into the box and three of their four goals came from well worked corners or free kicks.   

Leicester had a late chance to pull a goal back in stoppage time when Greg Mills ran into the box before having a shot saved by Matt Horton at the front post.  

The Robins were able to see the match out in the closing stages of the second half to keep their momentum going in the league. It’s now nine straight wins in division one to keep the pressure on the likes of Gornal Athletic and Sutton United at the top of the table.

The Peacocks got an impressive 3-0 away win against AFC Bridgnorth while Sutton United lost to play off chasers Birstall United 2-0 away from home.  

Upcoming fixtures

Knowle will be looking to continue their impressive form against Cradley Town (Away) next Saturday before playing Coventry Copsewood at home in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup on Saturday 25th October.                     

The Robins then have a run of home games against Kirby Muxloe (Saturday 1st November) and Chelmsley Town (Tuesday 4th November) before travelling to Bilston Town on Saturday 8th November.

Leicester St Andrews will be looking to bounce back against Lutterworth Athletic at home next Saturday before playing AFC North Kilworth (Away) on Wednesday 22nd October.

The Drews then play Heather St John’s (Away) on Saturday 25th October before travelling to Ingles in the Leicester VEO Senior Cup on Tuesday 28th October.

FT score: Knowle 4-2 Leicester St Andrews

Man of the match: Jack Duggan (Knowle)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League