Knowle V Northfield Town (Division Two)

Knowle played newly promoted Northfield Town yesterday afternoon in a huge match in division two. The Robins have been one of the standout teams in step seven over the last few years and are looking to win the league title this season. Their home record since the start of the 22/23 season has been brilliant with just three losses from 37 matches going into yesterday.   

The Solihull side had built on their form from last season and went into yesterday with ten wins from eleven matches to sit top of the table.

Odane Barnes has impressed since joining from Alcester Town and has 13 goals so far this season.  

Northfield have adapted well to step seven following promotion from division three last season. The visitors have been a good addition to the MFL since joining last year and have been challenging near the top of division two over the last few months. Their league form has been eye catching with just one loss from eleven matches to sit in 2nd with 28 points and just three off league leaders Knowle.  

The atmosphere at the Robins Nest was friendly and welcoming and it felt like a big match yesterday. There was an encouraging attendance of 170 supporters who turned up to watch the game with Northfield bringing a good following. The programme on offer was informative and included a look at Knowle’s season so far along with a history of Northfield Town.  

​The ground is well worth a visit for casual groundhoppers across the West Midlands and is accessible to get to by public transport. Supporters can get either the 87 or 88 from Solihull Town Centre and get off at the Lodge Road stop for a seven-minute walk to the ground.   

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Knowle included Craig Johnson starting in goal and George Seeley captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Odane Barnes leading the line up front and being supported by Zak Parsons and Tom Crane down the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Bolehall Swifts a few weeks ago with Callum Scott coming into the team and playing at right back.    

Northfield’s starting line up included Tom Walker starting in goal and Josh Westwood captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Lewis Jones playing as the main striker and being supported by Ethan Hanks and Josh Roberts on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Central Ajax a few weeks ago with Jack Wilson coming into the team and playing in attacking midfield. 

​First Half

Knowle started the match well in the early stages of the first half and were taking the game to Northfield in search of the opening goal. The Robins were committing players forward and creating chances in the final third.

A good chance fell to Zak Parsons who found some space in the box before firing wide from a good position.

Northfield went into this match with one of the best defences in the league and there was some brilliant last ditch tackling to keep it goalless throughout the first half. The visitors had conceded just seven goals going into yesterday with only Knowle bettering their defensive record. The likes of Brad Hendry and Myles Brooks impressed at the back for Northfield to help them settle into the match.

​There was an instinctive save by Tom Walker who did well to palm Callum Scott’s shot away from goal.

Odane Barnes was making some brilliant runs down the channels for Knowle and held up the ball well to help them get up the pitch. He was causing Northfield a few problems at the back and looked a real threat for Knowle throughout this match.

Northfield were linking up well when they had the ball and building attacks. Their best chance of the first half fell to Josh Darnbrough who had some space outside the box before having a shot comfortably saved by Craig Johnson.

The chances were limited throughout the first half with Knowle looking assured at the back and not giving the visitors that many shots at goal. Ricardo Dudley and Lewis Clarke were reading the game well to give Knowle a control of the match.

The best chance for the Robins came in the latter stages of the first half when a well delivered corner by George Seeley found Tom Crane at the back post who headed over the bar from a good position.

Both sides were well organised off the ball and cancelled each other out throughout parts of the first half. Knowle had a lot of the ball, but Northfield were dangerous on the counterattack and had a few half chances.     

​Second Half

The pattern of the match continued where it left off in the early stages of the second half with Knowle looking to break down a resolute Northfield defence. Toby Scott had a free kick outside the box go narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Tom Walker had an incredible game in the Northfield goal and stood up to the Knowle pressure throughout the second half. He made another instinctive save to deny Odane Barnes who was through on goal with just the keeper to beat.

Myles Brooks also impressed at the back and was making some good clearances to stop promising attacks for Knowle. He’s been a good addition to the squad since joining over the summer and played for the likes of Fairfield Villa and Redditch Borough last season.

Knowle substitute Brandon Hague was free in the box before having a shot well saved by Tom Walker to keep it at 0-0. The chances were there for the Robins yesterday.

​A hand ball in the box resulted in a Knowle penalty in the latter stages of the second half. Brandon Hague stepped up and had his spot kick saved by Tom Walker who read it well and saved it down the middle.

Northfield had a few late chances to cause an upset in the final fifteen minutes on the break. The best chance fell to Jack Wilson who was free in the box before having a shot go wide of the right-hand post. He went a bit under the radar yesterday but impressed for Northfield and was tracking back to break up the play for the visitors.

Josh Westwood also had a shot tipped round the post by Craig Johnson in the closing stages of the second half.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with both teams taking home a point.

Full Time

Knowle will feel a bit disappointed not to get the win yesterday and they were pressing for the winner in the second half. The Robins were creating chances but brilliant goalkeeping by Tom Walker stopped them finding the winner. None the less, there in a good position and have a crucial run of fixtures coming up against Birmingham United (Home) and Fairfield Villa (Away).

Northfield played well yesterday and got a statement result against Knowle which is one of the toughest places to go in division two. It was an encouraging away performance from the visitors with Tom Walker making some good saves to keep it at 0-0 and they had some chances to win it late on.

They have a run of league fixtures coming up with games against Lane Head (Away) and Cadbury Athletic (Home) over the next few weeks.         

FT score: Knowle 0-0 Northfield Town

Man of the Match: Tom Walker (Northfield Town)

Attendance: 170

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League