DEMI Rolph’s penalty proved decisive as Knowle Ladies beat Leamington Lions 1-0 whilst defender Sam Smith marked her 400th appearance for the club with a clean sheet.
In a game of few chances, Rolph kept her cool from the spot to ensure Knowle secured the points with a third successive victory in the league.
The result means Knowle sit second in the West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League Division One South table.
Neither team were able to fashion a chance in the opening 25 minutes before Leamington’s Poppy Johnston-Smith flew wide of the post.
The Robins went close soon after as Natalie Gibson missed the target after good work between Jess Barlow and Morgan Betteridge with Ebony Harris square in the box.
And Knowle then hit the woodwork as substitute Sarah Moore teed up Rolph who saw her powerful effort come back off the crossbar.
Leamington should have gone into the break with the lead only for Kiran Sangha to somehow poke wide from close range with the goal at her mercy.
However, Knowle scored the game’s only goal in the second half when Bex Clarke drove into the box and saw her effort blocked by the arm of Linda Riches who was sinbinned for her protest at the decision.
After a short delay, Rolph kept her composure to find the back of the net as Knowle held on to claim an important three points.
Knowle are next in action at home to Droitwich Spa Women on Sunday, April 9 with kick-off at 2pm at the Robins Nest.
