Congleton Vale 0 Knutsford 2

KNUTSFORD extended their lead to three points at the Cheshire League summit thanks to victory at Congleton Vale on Saturday.

Goals from Liam Myers and David Owens either side of the break helped Scott Dignan’s side beat opponents they knocked out of the JB Parker Challenge Cup seven days earlier.

Myers had twice gone close before the visitors broke through on 17 minutes when Scott Beattie sprayed a pass to Owens, who sent the ball towards his strike partner.

Myers coolly applied a finishing flourish from inside the penalty area.

Shortly afterwards Tom Rutter found Beattie, who smashed a shot narrowly over the bar as Knutsford continued to exert pressure.

In-form goalkeeper John Stanway protected their lead when he made a double save from close range to deny a Congleton striker. 

And the game looked to be going Knutsford’s way when Rutter set up Owens, only for the attacker to direct his finish too close to net-minder Robert Cooke.

Reds were relieved before the break too when the hosts’ front man fluffed a glorious chance with the goal at his mercy.

They were on the back foot during the second period too, prompting Dignan to reshuffle his side by sending on Richard Smart and Jonny Scott.

Matthew Torbitt, moved into midfield following the change, then created a decisive goal with nine minutes left.

He steered a corner into Owens’ path, and the front man cut inside a defender before sliding a shot underneath Cooke.

Knutsford take on Mallaby, from the West Cheshire League, in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup second round on Saturday, kick off 2pm.

Knutsford Stanway (GK), Wates, Lynch, Jenyons, Torbitt, Davies, Beattie (Smart 65), Evans, Owens, Myers (Scott 65), Rutter.