KNOWLE successfully retained the Les James Challenge Cup with a 3-1 victory against 10-man Fairfield Villa in the final.
The Robins are the first club to retain the cup for 50 years as goals from Tom Craine, Nathan Corry and an Edward Quilty own goal ensured Knowle lifted the trophy at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.
And Fairfield had substitute Alex Knight sent off for two yellow cards in the second half with Knowle already in front.
The Robins took the lead on 10 minutes when Corry picked up the ball just inside his own half before bursting down the wing and cutting the ball back to Craine who produced a composed finish.
However, Fairfield equalised on the half-hour mark as the lively Darren Green beat Craig Johnson in the Knowle net from a tight angle.
Knowle restored their lead on the hour mark after a game of pinball broke out in the Villa box and hit Fairifled’s Quilty before ending up in the net.
Fairfield then lost Knight to a red card soon after for a strong challenge of Ben Jones having already been booked.
And the Robins made the most of the man advantage to clinch the trophy as Corry beat the offside trap before slipping a shot past the Fairfield keeper after latching onto Jones’ through ball.
Villa created some late chances but Knowle held on to retain the trophy.
Knowle are next in action away at Alcester Town on Thursday, May 2 with kick-off at 6.45pm at Stratford Road.
