First reverse for Reds (From Knutsford Guardian)

First reverse for Reds

5:57pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport

Pilkington 2 Knutsford 1

KNUTSFORD will, and have, play worse than this and win.

Reds lost for the first time this season at Pilkington on Saturday, ending a sequence of 21 matches without defeat that stretches back to the closing stages of last term.

It was not what Paul Schofield, picking a team for the 100th time in a Cheshire League encounter, will have envisaged after the visitors dominated the first half.

They led, deservedly, when Lee Mannion finished smartly following fine approach play from Carlos Edmondson and Dean Warburton.

Pilkington goalkeeper Aaron Cameron formed a one-man barrier after that, saving most impressively an Edmondson volley from the edge of the box.

He was equal to a similar effort from goalscorer Mannion too.

The hosts were handed, literally, a lifeline when Miko Lewis was judged to have committed a misdemeanor inside the penalty area seven minutes after half time.

Andrew Cooke converted from the spot for the second time in seven days to level.

Knutsford’s attacks were less frequent after that, although substitute Lee Shakoor was unlucky to see his effort curl narrowly wide.

Pilks pinched the points soon afterwards, full back Paul Meadows sending an unstoppable volley past custodian Mark Higgs after the visitors partially cleared a corner.

Reds will want to bounce back at the first attempt when they visit old foes Eagle in the JB Parker Challenge Cup last four this Saturday, kick off 1.30pm.

Knutsford Higgs (GK), Jones, Williamson, Jenyons, Smart, Cartner, Mannion, Lewis (Michael Schofield), Warburton, Lynch (Shakoor), Edmondson. Sub not used Bowyer.