KNUTSFORD’S men recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they put seven goals past Macclesfield on Saturday.

It leaves them fourth in North West Hockey League Division Two, where they are joint top scorers with Lancaster and Morecambe after seven matches of the season.

They led when Matt Lynes reacted quickest to convert a rebound after Johnny Price’s initial effort had been saved.

Macclesfield restored parity soon afterwards following a scramble in the D, only for Price to put the visitors in front again with a reverse stick shot from skipper Mat Hodge’s cross.

He was first to add his name to the score sheet soon after the interval, slotting in from close range following Simon Trenbrith’s aerial pass.

Stuart Kenyon teed up Lyne for the fourth goal, a smart finish threaded through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Hodge reached a personal brace too, applying the finishing touch to move that progressed down the opposition’s flank.

Debutant George Nairn hit the net shortly after his arrival as a substitute, converting from close range, before Knutsford reached a lucky seven when Trenbrith got in on the act.

There was time for another goal for Macclesfield, who had long since been well beaten.

Improving Knutsford thirds extended their unbeaten run to four matches on a day when fit-again Paul Howarth marked his return to action with two goals.

His brace helped the Black Knights to a comfortable five-goals success at home to winless Sale fourths, first reacting quickest to a rebound then finishing smartly after Graham Heath had combined with Andy Wright.

Heath, also making his first appearance of the season, added a brace of his own with close range efforts that had too much power for the visitors’ net-minder.

Wright completed victory with another punched finish from close range, although youngster Ross Wilkie received the player of the match prize for his confidence in a defensive position.

Meanwhile Knutsford’s ladies played out a stalemate for the second successive week, sharing the spoils this time with visitors Oxton.

Cheshire Women’s League Division One, Saturday: Knutsford 0 Oxton 0. North West Men’s League Division Two: Macclesfield 2 Knutsford 7. Division Five South: Knutsford 2nds 1 Neston South Wirral 4ths 2. Division Eight South East: Knutsford 3rds 5 Sale 4ths 0.