KNUTSFORD FC return to league action at Avon Villa on Saturday on the back of a comfortable 4-0 win at Sandbach Reserves in the Cheshire Amateur Cup first round.

While the final outcome was comfortable, the heat of the late summer certainly wasn’t on a day that was really too hot for football.

Reds showed they have some strength in depth at the moment though, with four changes to the side not impacting on them getting to grips with the artificial surface pretty quickly and being on top from the 10th minute.

They went ahead after good work from Charlie Rodick on the right and his cross found Jimmy Woodward at the near post to head home his seventh goal of the season in the 13th minute.

With water breaks every 20 minutes and retaining possession being the mantra in the conditions, Reds made it count in the 31st minute were more good approach play from Rodick and Max Kennedy paved the way for captain Jonny Cavanagh to smash the ball home with his right foot - a rare occurrence - from 20 yards with a slight deflection.

And just before the break a deep cross from Woodward found Gregory Mathers who volleyed home from a tight angle with his left foot for 3-0.

In the second half the players could not operate at full throttle, understandable in the soaring heat.

Sandbach got on the front foot and came close when they hit the crossbar.

But normal service was resumed when Knutsford sub Leas Slamani went down the right wing, cut inside and hit a low left footer into the bottom corner in the 65th minute to kill off the contest.

Knutsford: Smith, Wilbraham, Woolley, Sheldon, Brotherton, Cavanagh, Kennedy, Chatha (Gunter), Rodick (Slamani), Mathers (West), Woodward (Giani).

Moreton FC from the Chester & Wirral League will be Knutsford's next opponents in the next round at home on Saturday, October 7, kick-off 2pm.