Rylands 0 Knutsford 4

KNUTSFORD FC put themselves back on track with a 4-0 win at Rylands at the weekend.

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half saw off the aggressive Warrington side a week after suffering a season’s first defeat against Denton.

Table-topping Reds, who head to eighth-placed Ashton Town on Saturday, would deservedly have won by even more goals had their finishing been more clinical.

Scott Dignan, who named himself as one of only two substitutes, was able to field a stronger side against previously unbeaten Rylands.

Knutsford still had five men missing, though they did not show it as they dominated the opening half an hour as Rylands set their stall at high pressure and strong tackles in an attempt to disrupt their guests’ rhythm.

A Mannion strike from 20 yards was turned around for a corner, while Brooks had a good effort saved.

With an increasingly bad-tempered opening period being played in Rylands’ half of the field, Brooks screwed wide an effort with the goal open before Beattie, playing wide left due to circumstances, sent a curler inches wide.

A Lynch cross hit the upright with the goalkeeper beaten.

The deadlock was broken after Nehru was brought down on the edge of the box in the 25th minute.

Up stepped Mannion and after surveying the wall he beat the keeper all ends up into the far-right corner.

More good work by Nehru set up stand-out midfielder Yuille but his shot went wide.

Harrison’s bid to double the lead was blocked by the keeper twice, either side of the interval.

A second yellow card for a Rylands defender, the latest for a two-footed challenge on Brooks, should have done nothing to help the home cause in the 53rd minute.

However, Knutsford decreased their tempo and gifted some hope to the hosts.

Out of the blue, Lynch went forward from left back, cut inside one defender and unleashed an unstoppable left footer into the right corner for 2-0 on 64 minutes.

Lynch then combined with Beattie who delivered a perfect cross for Brooks to sweep home a third.

Nehru backheeled wide and Brooks lifted a shot over the bar as more chances came and went.

Yuille delivered a clever reverse pass into Brooks who side footed home to complete the job in the 75th minute.

Knutsford: Moore, Jones, Lynch, Hare, Brotherton, McKenzie, Mannion (Dignan), Yuille, Brooks, Harrison, Beattie (Smart).