Knutsford 8-0 Greenalls PSO

IN this form, Knutsford will be pretty hard to stop.

Liam Myers’ hat-trick was a highlight of Reds’ latest victory, their sixth straight in Cheshire League fixtures, which moved them three points clear at the Premier Division table’s summit.

A clever move off the pitch – they switched last weekend’s fixture to the artificial surface next door at Egerton Youth Club – enabled Scott Dignan’s side to pick up where they had left off seven days earlier.

Their hope now is the weather improves enough for them to host Ashton Town at Manchester Road on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Greenalls were on the back-foot from the start, and David Owens put Knutsford in front when he cut inside from the right after receiving Dean Warburton’s pass.

The home team continued to apply pressure, and Ben Brooks doubled their lead with a powerful rising shot after Phil Yuille and Myers had traded neat, one-touch passes.

Greenalls’ best spell followed the interval, although they breathed a sigh of relief when Myers blasted against the crossbar from a corner.

Dignan sent on Nehru McKenzie in midfield, ending an eight-week absence through injury, and Reds went through the gears.

Brooks ought to have made it 3-0 after Yuille had sent him clear, only to scuff his attempt off-target.

He then turned provider for Myers, who prompted the visitors’ goalkeeper to make a smart save.

A third goal arrived on 71 minutes when Warburton turned and shot in the same movement, sending the ball inside an upright.

It was a catalyst, and Knutsford were rampant for the remainder.

Myers converted calmly from the penalty spot after Brooks was tripped, and maximum points were safe.

Yuille’s attempt from distance flashed wide of an upright before Brooks swept in Warburton’s cross from close-range with five minutes left.

McKenzie then fed Myers, and he dropped a shoulder before rifling a perfect right-footed attempt into the net from 30 yards – the pick of Knutsford’s goals.

It was 7-0 when substitute Ash Harrison picked out McKenzie, who wriggled into a space from which he could fire into the bottom-corner.

Myers, perhaps fittingly, completed the rout in the last minute when Warburton and Brooks again combined before teeing up a simple finish for the striker.

It was his 139th goal, in 180 appearances, for the club.

As messages to rivals go, it was loud and clear.

Knutsford | Moore (GK), Jones (Welsh 68), Lynch, Jenyons, Brotherton, Yuille, Beattie (McKenzie 65), Warburton, Owens (Harrison 72), Myers, Brooks