Whaley Bridge 0 Knutsford 2

WITH this week’s victory, Knutsford FC are in prime position to set out on completing a second title success in three seasons.

Reds took a leap towards prising the Cheshire League Premier Division silverware back off Whaley Bridge courtesy of Saturday’s 2-0 success against their second-placed rivals at Horwich Park.

It means Scott Dignan’s men will head to 10th place Crewe FC this weekend with a nine points advantage, having played one game more.

And they will continue to seek to protect their cushion away to Altrincham Reserves, third from bottom, at Egerton Youth Club on Tuesday, kick-off 6.30pm.

Two goals in five minutes, late on, from Sean Lynch and Aaron Dwyer presented a rosy outlook for Reds on the way home from a ground on which Whaley Bridge had been unbeaten in more than two years.

Knutsford’s change of formation had paid off to great effect, opting to go with a back three of Dignan, Steve Jenyons and Graham Brotherton until Scott Beattie’s arrival in place of the player-manager with 20 minutes remaining.

The vital six-pointer, coming on the back of Whaley Bridge’s win at Manchester Road last month, lacked in real quality in poor conditions and, apart from free kicks, chances were in short supply.

In the first half Knutsford did have a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances, while Ben Brookes angled a shot wide from inside the penalty area.

But Reds counted their blessings too as the crossbar came to their rescue on one occasion after a looping header from a Whaley Bridge free kick.

Knutsford’s determination shone through as they gradually created opportunities in the closing stages.

Reds were then rewarded for the first move of quality, between Ben Brookes and Aaron Dwyer as an opening was worked for Lynch to smash the ball home from 18 yards on 81 minutes.

The excellent Dwyer, who terrorised the Bridge defence all afternoon, pounced four minutes later to round the goalkeeper to seal the win.

It was Dwyer’s dividend for a tireless afternoon.

In the later moments, Knutsford restricted a potent Whaley Bridge frontline, having scored 33 goals in seven previous league outings, to a couple of half chances.

Knutsford: Moore, Hare, Lynch, Jenyons, Dignan (Beattie), Brotherton, Yuille, Myers, McKenzie, Dwyer, Brooks.

n Witton Albion’s Wincham Park will stage the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup final between Knutsford and Vauxhalls on Friday, April 20.