Billinge 1 Knutsford 3

TEN-MAN Knutsford ended a three-game winless streak in the Cheshire League top flight with victory at Billinge on Saturday.

Skipper Richard Smart saw red three minutes before half time when he was adjudged to have punched Billinge’s Graeme Green.

However, Knutsford were already three goals up thanks to strikes from Joel Swift, Joe Woolley and substitute Jack Woolley, conceding after the interval from Green’s effort.

Swift opened the scoring on five minutes when he collected a loose ball in the area and slotted into the corner.

Swift almost grabbed a second two minutes later when Mohammed Jarad’s flick sent him clean through, but his effort was blocked by Billinge goalkeeper Aaron Cameron.

Billinge’s Chad Whyte was felled in the area by Knutsford keeper Mark Higgs, but Green’s spot kick rebounded off the post.

Moments later Whyte spun past Scott Beattie in the area, only to see his shot parried away by Higgs.

Knutsford made Billinge pay for missed opportunities when Ebbie Rezayan sent Joe Woolley clear for the youngster to round Cameron and pass into an empty net.

Mohammed Jarad was forced to leave the game early with a hamstring injury, but his replacement Jack Woolley made an instant impact.

Joe Woolley skipped past challenges on the right and crossed from the byline for his brother to nod home from inside the six-yard box and give Knutsford a three-goal lead.

However, the visitors were reduced to 10 men before the break when Smart collected their sixth dismissal of the season.

Billinge reduced the deficit six minutes after the interval, Elliot Bradshaw’s low cross into the area found Green with space to turn and slot into the corner.

Matt Woolley and Sean Lynch both had shots blocked as Knutsford secured three points despite being a man down.

Knutsford Higgs (GK), Jones, Williamson, Smart, Beattie, Swift (Davies 90), Joe Woolley, Rezayan, Jarad (Jack Woolley 26), Matt Woolley, Lynch (Brees 87).