KARTEL O’Neil-Martin’s last gasp penalty secured a dramatic 1-0 win for Knowle in the Birmingham County FA Saturday Vase final as the Robins completed a first-ever cup double.
O’Neil-Martin’s spot kick settled a close game at Ray Hall Lane as the Robins exacted revenge on Sutton United who pipped Knowle to the Midland Football League Division Two title.
And Knowle’s Saturday Vase triumph adds to the club’s Les James Challenge Cup final success as the Robins secured a cup double for the first time in their 97-year history.
The Robins had the league’s meanest defence whilst Sutton had scored more than 100 goals on their way to promotion in what looked set to be the irresistible force meeting the immovable object.
Played in front of a large crowd, the final proved to be a cagey affair as Sutton set the tempo without troubling the Knowle defence.
However, the Robins improved after the break and took the game to Sutton as Knowle spurned a number of chances to take the lead.
The game was destined for a penalty shootout before Knowle were awarded a penalty, which was hotly disputed by Sutton, three minutes into time added on.
And after a long wait, O’Neil-Martin eventually stepped up and kept his cool to find the net and seal the cup for Knowle as the Robins lifted their second piece of silverware in a fortnight.
