KNOWLE's Midland Comb Premier League curtain-raiser ended in defeat as they were beaten by Heath Hayes in the torrential rain.
The Staffordshire side started positively and got their rewards when they took the lead after 20 minutes, Richard Hewitt smartly turning his marker before playing in strike partner Ben Haseley who slotted past Chris Knott from 18 yards out.
The hosts had the ball in the net again minutes before halftime but the strike was disallowed as the linesman judged the cross to be out of play.
After the break Knowle came out all guns blazing and should have been on level terms but there was no way past the strong home defence.
And they were hit with a sucker punch when, against the run of play, Justin Blakemore thundered a header in to double their advantage.
