Knutsford 5-0 Blackburn Northern

GRAEME Wolfenden’s early goal settled Knutsford on Saturday, when they avoided a repeat of a crazy draw with the same opponents in the reverse fixture.

The two teams shared 12 goals in their previous meeting, but the Black Knights did not look back from the moment the front-man despatched his flick from a short corner.

A second goal followed when Gary Brown picked out Keelan Sherwani who deflected the ball beyond the visitors’ goalkeeper after reaching it before his marker.

At the other end, net-minder Tom Wright was a spectator.

The hosts had to be patient before adding to their advantage, although a third goal arrived before the break when player-coach Simon Trenbirth finished smartly.

Warned against over-elaborating during the interval, they remained in control in the second half.

They stayed calm when chances went begging, and their patience paid dividend when captain Dave Price converted a penalty stroke after a defender had blocked a goal-bound effort illegally.

Blackburn’s best chance arrived at a penalty corner, but the resulting flick lacked the force to trouble Wright.

With time running out, a substitute Mat Hodge added gloss to a convincing performance when he pounced on a loose ball before smashing it with power into the net.

The Black Knights, victors now in four of their past five North West Men’s League matches, sit third in the Division One table.

Second-placed Keswick, who they host next month, are a point better off.

Blackpool are next to visit Westfield Drive on Saturday week, February 4, push back 2.15pm.