KNUTSFORD’S men started life at a lower level on a winning note in their opening Kukri North West Men’s League Division One clash on Saturday.

They came from behind at Colwyn Bay, taking them close to their total points tally for last season in a single afternoon.

The Welshman’s first goal, from a penalty corner, was cancelled out by a strike from debutant Ollie Ruby.

Put clear to face the hosts’ custodian, he coolly converted his chance to give a glimpse of what he might bring to the team this term.

Steve Torrie and captain Mat Hodge combined after the interval to tee up Dan Allen, whose calm finish from 12-yards put the Black Knights ahead.

At the other end Knutsford’s new net-minder Jay Punshon denied the home team more than once as they pushed for a leveller.

But the visitors made the points safe when Simon Trenbrith’s lofted pass sent through Mike Power and he slotted in their third goal.

Bay replied instantly to make it 3-2, but they could not find an equaliser.

KNUTSFORD’S second string twice recovered from a two-goals deficit – then blew a similar lead of their own – as they shared ten goals with Oxton fifths.

The visitors raced into a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes before captain Richard Jones converted a penalty flick after his initial shot had been blocked by a defender’s boot.

Oxton scored again before the break to lead 3-1.

The home team roared back in the second half, scoring four goals without reply as Jones completed his hat-trick while Andy Wright and Mike Leaning found the target too.

However slopping defending cost Knutsford victory, leaking two goals in the closing stages to tie the scores once more at 5-5.

PROMOTION hopefuls Llandudno seconds proved too strong for Knutsford’s third team in Division Nine South, putting nine goals without reply past their Cheshire guests.

EMMA Thomson scored a first hat-trick in Knutsford colours as they recorded back-to-back victories in Cheshire Women’s League Division Two.

Chester seconds were their victims at Westfield Drive.

The hosts led when Nat Riley crossed for Caz Orchard to covert from the edge of the D, firing low into the bottom corner.

It was her first goal in two terms.

Knutsford doubled their lead when Thomson scored the first of her treble from a rebound after Katie Allan’s shot from a penalty corner was parried into her path.

Lucy Wright then sent Riley into space and she teed up Thomson for a third goal soon afterwards, the latter breezing past two back-markers before flicking the ball home.

The visitors reduced their arrears before half time only for Knutsford to restore their three-goals cushion when Hayley Bell combined with Riley to assist Thomson once more.

Chester’s second goal proved a consolation.

KNUTSFORD’S women had only eight players for their Division Six duel at Sale thirds, playing without a goalkeeper in a 16-1 defeat.

Naomi Parkes acted as last line of defence, earning the Player of the Match prize for her perseverance.

Kukri North West Men’s League
Division One
Saturday September 25
Bebington 4 Wilmslow 5; Brooklands 3rds 2 Preston 2nds 6; Colwyn Bay 2 Knutsford 3; Springfields UCLAN 3 Deeside Ramblers 2nds 2; Tameside 5 Bowdon 3rds 1; Wigan 4 West Derby 1

Division Six South
Alderley Edge 3rds 1 Chester 4ths 2; Bebington 3rds 3 Bowdon 5ths 0; Knutsford 2nds 5 Oxton 5ths 5; Wilmslow 2nds 3 Macclesfield 2nds 2; Wrexham Glyndwr 2nds 6 Bangor City 2

Division Nine South
Bramhall 4ths 7 South Cheshire 5ths 1; Deeside Ramblers 7ths 1 Deeside Ramblers 6ths 1; Golborne 2nds 2 Neston South Wirral 6ths 0; Llandudno 2nds 9 Knutsford 3rds 0; Oxton 7ths 0 Denbigh 7; Runcorn 2nds 2 Lymm 3rds 7

Cheshire Women’s League
Division Two
Brooklands Poynton 3rds 0 Neston South Wirral 9; Crewe Vagrants 2nds 3 Deeside Ramblers 2nds 2; Knutsford 4 Chester 2nds 2; Northop Hall 3 Bowdon 4ths 1; Runcorn 1 Macclesfield 4

Division Six
Alderley Edge 4ths 6 Warrington 2nds 0; Sale 3rds 16 Knutsford 2nds 1; South Cheshire 2nds 2 Chester 4ths 1; Triton 3 Whitchurch Shropshire 3rds 0