Congleton Vale 0-4 Knutsford

AARON Dwyer was on scintillating form as Knutsford strengthened their grip on the Cheshire League’s Premier Division title.

Dwyer, a new recruit from Curzon Ashton, scored all four goals – including a first-half hat-trick – as Reds bounced back from a midweek defeat to Altrincham reserves.

It took just five minutes for the visitors to take the lead when Ben Brooks fed Dwyer, who waltzed past two players before slotting home the opener.

And they increased their advantage shortly afterwards.

Brooks was again involved in the build-up, and he combined with Phil Yuille and Luke Pearson before squaring for Dwyer to smash home.

Congleton were restricted to raiding on the counter-attack and from set-pieces, but captain Steve Jenyons and Graeme Brotherton in defence were relatively untroubled.

Indeed, Reds asserted their authority just before the break when Brooks was again the provider, playing a one-two with Liam Myers before teeing up Dwyer to complete a hat-trick.

The hosts flew out of the traps in the second-half in an attempt to reduce the deficit, but Knutsford rode out the storm and added a further goal on the hour mark.

An intricate spell of passing ended with Myers releasing Dwyer, who raced free to score his fourth goal of the contest.

Reds held the hosts at arm’s length for the rest of the game and were able to give a few players a rest with Friday’s Cheshire FA Amateur Cup final against Vauxhall Motors in mind.

Knutsford | Moore (GK), Beattie (Lynch 62), Pearson, Jenyons, Brotherton, Yuille, McKenzie, Jones, Myers, Dwyer (Smart 78), Brooks (Owens 65)