KNUTSFORD Hockey Club's 1st XI travelled to unbeaten Oxton on Saturday hoping to avoid the mauling that Oxton have dished out on many weekends so far this season.

The game started surprisingly well for Knutsford who caused problems from the outset.

Some mobile play at centre forward from Baddeley, assisted by Nickless, Hodge and Price, won Knutsford a short corner.

Taken quickly, with Oxton on their heels, skipper Simon Squirrell had an age to smash the ball home for a surprise early lead. Surprise shortly turned to shock when Richard Jones played a superbly weighted ball through to Nickless who slid the ball home for an unlikely 2-0 Knutsford lead.

Just before the break Oxton were awarded a short corner, which somehow crept into the goal at a stage of the game when Knutsford least needed it, to leave it 2-1 at half-time.

Knutsford did not let their heads drop and kept pushing forward.

However, the game turned when Adam Locke found Matt Hodge five yards out with the goal begging, but Hodge fired wide when it looked easier to score. Oxton then promptly made it 2-2. After clawing back their two-goal deficit Oxton started to play how they have played most of the season and Knutsford struggled to counter their slick passing game.

Oxton made it three then 4-2 to turn round what looked like being their first defeat of the season.

A disappointing end to the first half of the season for Knutsford but they can take an element of confidence from the fact that they can rattle even the best teams in the league.

lcasey@guardiangrp.co.uk