FOOTBALL: REVENGE was on the cards for Knowle as they get their own back on Redditch Borough thanks to a 2-0 victory to move up to fourth in the Midland League Division Two.
Redditch thumped Knowle 4-0 the last time the two sides met on New Year’s Eve, but this time around it was Knowle who ran out winners to make it a winning start in 2017.
Alex Knight fastened onto a mistake by a central defender and slipping the ball past the keeper within the first five minutes to give Knowle an early lead.
On the traditional grass surface, the hosts played with much more confidence and authority and it was no surprise to see them double their advantage with 20 minutes played.
The influential Callum Ingram broke up another Borough attack in his pivotal central midfield position and fed Ben Ellicott down the left wing. He played a delightful ball through to the supporting full back Alex Litwinko who in turn stunned everyone with a neat side step inside before placing the ball inside the near post.
With Spencer Dixon standing in for the injured Perry Cox in goal, the Knowle defence looked water tight with captain Rob Ormston taking his place alongside Callum Mallett after missing the last couple of games.
Young Spencer pulled off a couple of smart saves from speculative shots from outside the box but it was Knowle who created the better chances. Torryn Connolly and Ben Ellicott both had solo efforts late on in the half that were thwarted by good last ditch defending.
The second half was marred by three sendings off, the first coming on the hour mark when George Seeley burst through and clashed with the keeper.
Callum Mallett ran from his defensive position and tried to calm things down but he joined Seeley and the keeper in the dressing room after all three received red cards.
The game became stretched and entertaining for the large crowd with Knowle creating several chances on the break but as the game progressed, it took some stout defensive work from Knowle’s defenders to hold the score to 2-0.
Knowle and next travel to third-placed Droitwich on Saturday.
