Oxton 3rd 2 Knutsford 2nd 3

KNUTSFORD remain perched at the top of North West Division Four South after a smash-and-grab win at Oxton on Saturday.

Several early chances went unfinished but a positive outcome was already looking inevitable for the visitors.

However, Oxton, who have had some mixed results so far this season, had other ideas and slotted home against the run of play.

If Knutsford were stunned, they did not show it.

The response was two goals in quick session, with Fielding and O Howarth the marksmen.

At the break, the call was to steady the ship, see a return to basics and the slick play shown in recent games.

This wasn’t to be as Oxton levelled early in the second half.

The remainder of the match was a scrappy affair, with both sides showing signs of fatigue and frustration.

As the minutes crept closer to the full-time mark Fielding pounced to secure all three points for Knutsford.

A lack of deadliness in front of goal and a sense of panic were nearly Knutsford’s undoing but the positives outweighed the negatives as Knutsford’s unbeaten run in the league continued.

Drake and Anderson fought hard in the defensive ranks, while Wasileski and Swift have proved their worth after moving up from the thirds to secure the flanks.

Knutsford host Alderley Edge on Saturday, 2pm pushback at Knutsford Leisure Centre.