Mid Cheshire League

Division One

KNUTSFORD FC 3

Golborne Sports 1

KNUTSFORD collected three welcome points after a superb performance by their keeper.

They led by a single goal at half-time thanks in the main to a string of superb saves by veteran Daine Johnson.

He was not quite so busy in the second half, but cajoled the inexperienced defenders in front of him into making sure the Reds recorded their first win for several weeks.

Rebound

Centre-back Richard Cocksedge put them ahead in the ninth minute after good work by Ben Buckley, but Golborne could consider themselves unlucky to be behind at the interval.

Apart from Johnson defying them, Colin Wilson had hit the post in the first minute.

In the 66th minute Johnson made a fine blocking save, but David Bailey met the rebound and netted the equaliser that the lively Golborne side had threatened.

However, Knutsford found the perfect reply a minute later when Matt Stimpson and Paul Fry combined to set up Simon Thornley who restored their lead. The busy Grant Ingles then fluffed the best chance of the game when he probably had too much time to consider his options.

Nine minutes from time he got the goal his all-action display merited, winning a tackle and then placing the ball perfectly past visiting goalkeeper Trevor Johnson.

Mark Burton twice went close to adding a fourth goal as Knutsford finished on top.

TEAM: D Johnson, M Stimpson, S Moss, J Wilkinson, R Cocksedge, L Sproats, M Burton, G Ingles, P Fry, S Thornley (S Dow, 80 minutes), B Buckley (R Taylor 49).

On Saturday, Knutsford travel to play Garswood United, kick-off 3pm.

lcasey@guardiangrp.co.uk