Knutsford 4 Lancaster University 3

KNUTSFORD bagged a late winner to complete a second half comeback as they secured maximum points at home to Lancaster University on Saturday.

Tom Howard scored his second goal of the game with five minutes left as the Black Knights recovered from 3-1 down at the break, with Jonny Price and Mat Hodge also on target.

The hosts took the lead during a dominant opening spell when Price raced clear before keeping his composure to dribble around the advancing goalkeeper and finish from an acute angle.

However, Knutsford began to give away possession cheaply and a 10-minute spell before the break saw the students strike three times from set pieces to storm into the lead.

The deficit could have been greater had it not been for several saves from man of the match Jason Punshon between the posts.

Knutsford’s attempts to address the situation at the interval worked immediately when, following a series of short corners, Hodge was given time to pick his spot from the top of the D.

The Black Knights drew level on the three-quarter mark, a flowing move saw the midfield change the angle of attack until the ball was fired in for Howard to convert a simple tap-in at the back post.

With five minutes left, Knutsford struck the winner when Howard was released by Simon Trenbirth before beating two defenders and applying a finish.

Meanwhile Knutsford’s thirds went down 4-1 against Alderley Edge’s sixth side the same day.

Skipper Steve Hope was forced to don the goalkeeping pads and the local heavyweights were clinical enough to beat the novice stopper on four occasions.

Knutsford’s young side showed promising signs, however, as 15-year-old Dom Mather was picked as man of the match in only his third senior game.

Fellow 15-year-old Alex McIness looked solid at right back, providing vision and running off the ball.