KNUTSFORD travel this Saturday to play a team – leaders Garswood United – currently favourite to succeed Reds as Cheshire League champions.

John Ferguson’s men trail their hosts by nine points in the Division One standings, plus have played two more matches.

Their task is a daunting one too; no visiting team has beaten the pacesetters on their own pitch this term. Garswood were winners by a single goal when the sides met in the JB Parker Challenge Cup in November, avenging a 2-1 league defeat at Manchester Road the previous month.

Knutsford have reason to be optimistic though; they are unbeaten since September away from home in Division One, a sequence of five matches.

However wet weather has prevented the champions from playing a competitive match for the past fortnight, while Garswood edged out strugglers Styal last Saturday to extend their lead at the standings’ summit.

Meanwhile first team regulars Steve Jenyons and Joe Woolley were in Knutsford A’s starting line-up during a 3-0 defeat at Flixton Juniors in the Altrincham and District Amateur League’s top tier on Saturday.

Brian Deeley’s men will hope for better fortune when they visit Kartel this weekend, kick off 2pm.