Congleton Vale 1-0 Knutsford

GOALKEEPER Callum Spencer was denied a shut-out his display deserved when Ollie Griffiths scored a stunning winner for Congleton Vale.

His strike from distance, with 10 minutes left, condemned Knutsford to a third successive defeat at the same time as securing for the home team their first points of a the new Cheshire League campaign.

Reds, who included new recruit Jack Lever from 1874 Northwich in their starting line-up, were below-par and only a fine individual performance by their number one kept them in contention.

The debutant combined with Bradley West during the early stages, and the latter teed up Mark Evans who shot wide.

There was little goalmouth action, and Lee Mannion's drive was blocked.

At the other end, Spencer used a boot to keep out a low attempt by Dan Beuhler.

The visitors suffered a blow when Scott Beattie suffered a blow to the face that forced him off, with Rick Simister taking his place.

They were let off early in the second-half when Barney Wynne surrendered possession to Beuhler but he failed to hit the target.

Spencer was called upon again to make a fine double-save, the first a brave one at the feet of a forward and then from a volley.

Congleton, with an extra man in midfield, assumed control.

However there was a glimpse of goal for Knutsford when Aaron Clayton closed down goalkeeper Cameron Phelps, who fumbled the ball.

Substitute James Clancy could not convert though.

Mannion's attempt from distance flashed wide of a post before Lever's driven cross from the right scraped an upright.

Knutsford lost composure at the other end though when Joel Wilbraham conceded a penalty with a clumsy tackle, but Spencer bailed him out with a brilliant stop from the resulting spot-kick.

The game's decisive moment followed when Griffiths cut inside from the right wing before firing with power past Spencer into the top left-hand corner.

Reds almost nicked a point when Aaron Clayton picked out Michael Schofield, a replacement for West, but his header came back off the crossbar.

Knutsford will hope for better fortune when they visit promoted Daten on Tuesday, kick-off 6.30pm.

Knutsford | Spencer (GK), Wynne, Wilbraham, Beattie (Simister 37), Spilsbury, Lever, Mannion, Sheldon, Clayton, Evans (Clancy 60), West (Schofield 78) Sub not used Smart