KNUTSFORD FC are top of the league four games into the new season.

Tuesday night’s 1-0 home win against Daten Sports leaves them four points clear in Cheshire League One.

Brandon Blades hit the winner in the Reds’ third win of the season.

The only dropped points came in a 0-0 draw at FC St Helens Reserves at the weekend.

That came after a 9-0 hammering of Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds the previous Tuesday, when Blades was again on the mark with a superb four goals.

And Knutsford had started the campaign with a 2-1 home success against Newton Athletic.

Sharp Blades has bagged six of the 12 goals so far, with the Reds only conceding one goal.

They will put their decent form to the test in two away games over the next week.

Knutsford FC head to Golborne Sports on Saturday, kick-off 2pm, and then Bollington Town next Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Both of those sides were undefeated at the time of going to press, but Golborne and Bollington have only played one and two games respectively.

Their next home game for the Reds at Manchester Road will be against Vulcan on Saturday, August 19.

Chairman Jimmy Evans said the turnaround at the club since last season is evidenced in how the group felt after Saturday’s draw – a contest which beat the wet weather and which was credit to the St Helens club, said Evans.

“Knutsford were a bit below par and lacked quickness in their play,” he summarised.

“A draw away from home was a decent return on the day especially as the performance was below expected levels.

“Progress from Knutsford as they felt disappointed with an away draw.”

The opening month is a tough challenge but Evans is happy with how things have started.

“Midweek games throughout August is a challenge for amateur footballers, especially with a 6.30pm kick-off,” he said.

“We’ve made a good start, though early days. Having a good August is important but the weather is a concern with all the rain about

“Climate change is obvious in football. Games have never been in doubt in July or August before now!”

For the St Helens game, three changes were made to the starting line-up but even with a third different centre-half pairing already this term they kept a clean sheet.

Liam Myers also returned to a side that were in good spirits after their big midweek win.

Knutsford were not able to pick up where they had left off against Greenalls though.

There was not much to separate the sides in an eventful first half played in atrocious conditions.

Knutsford passed it around but lacked a sharpness in attack, while St Helens defended deep and looked to hit long balls and press, getting players forward when they were in Knutsford’s half.

On 25 minutes, Fragapane was harshly adjudged to have fouled in the box but Smith made an excellent save from the penalty to deny St Helens.

Blades had a shot deflected over and Myers showed glimpses of his quality on the ball before he was sin-binned for alleged dissent.

After the break, Woolley cleared the ball at the far post when a goal looked more likely.

Knutsford were lacking fluency and quickness, with St Helens more aggressive and looking more likely to break the deadlock.

Blades, having a quiet game, blazed an effort over the bar and youngster Kemberley was introduced on the right where he showed some flashes of skill and pace.

Myers had a good chance to take the lead but his low shot was well saved by Duffy.

A tense finish could have gone either way as both sides pressed for a winning goal but with some good defending from both sides neither team could find a breakthrough.

Knutsford: Smith, Wilbraham, Fregapane, Morgan, Sheldon, Evans, Cavanagh, Myers, Woodward (Kemberley), Blades, Woolley.