Knutsford 11 Manchester 1

KNUTSFORD prepared perfectly for this weekend’s trip to fellow promotion-hopefuls Keswick, reaching double figures during a one-sided encounter with Manchester.

Tom Lewis’ hat-trick was a highlight, helping the Black Knights rise to fourth in North West Men’s League Division Two.

He started the rout, firing into the corner from inside the D.

Keelan Sherwani beat his marker before teeing up Jim Halling to double the hosts’ lead with a slotted finish.

A rare goal for Tom Howard, left unmarked at the back post, made it 3-0 after 20 minutes.

And Knutsford’s fourth arrived shortly afterwards, this time when player-coach Simon Trenbirth applied the finishing touch.

The pattern was unchanged after the interval, when Daven Price converted a flick after brother Jonny was fouled by Manchester’s goalkeeper.

Lewis netted from close range to make it 6-0, paving the way for a four-goal blitz in a nine-minute spell.

Trenbirth converted a short corner, then Lewis completed his treble.

Dave Price was clinical again from the spot after a short corner had been blocked illegally on the line, then Jonny Price stylishly diverted a bouncing ball high into the net.

Sherwani capped a fine individual performance by dribbling past three defenders before beating the goalkeeper.

A late consolation prevented Knutsford from keeping a clean sheet, but their 11-goal haul makes them the section’s leading scorers after five matches.

Results

North West Men’s League

Division Six South: Bowdon 6th 1 Knutsford 2nd 6. Division Eight South East: Wilmslow 4th 2 Knutsford 3rd 2.

Cheshire Women’s League

Division Two: Knutsford 2 Alderley Edge 3rds 3.