Knutsford ... 4 Grappenhall Sports ... 2
The first competitive clash between these two sides survived the heavy rainfall of the preceding day and ultimately Knutsford held on to extend their advantage at the summit of the Cheshire League to a healthy six points. It was not always straightforward though.
The Warrington side were promoted last season and arrived as an unknown quantity. However the statistics that show only one side in the division has scored more goals than them this season and that nobody has conceded more, should have given some indication. They seem to feature in a lot of high scoring games and this was no exception.
There performance here was of a well organised side, who are quick on the break and as their goalscoring exploits indicate are dangerous when going forward. Indeed Knutsford's recent signing Tom Rutter came from Grappenhall. They must have carried even greater attacking threat with him in their ranks.
On this day Knutsford's defensive unit belied their usual calm assurance and were accommodating to the visitor's attacking overtures. The game was close for long periods and as it progressed both sides were guilty of missed opportunities – it could have been an even higher scoring spectacle.
However the quality of some of Knutsford's finishing proved the difference. Two of their goals went straight into the category marked as contenders for "goal of the season".
During the early exchanges Mark Higgs was the busier of the two goalkeepers but on 16 minutes a low cross from Mike Jackson was swept in on the spin by Mike Cartner low to Grappenhall 'keeper Ecclestone's left.
The host's rearguard was exposed, not for the first time, on 28 minutes when a ball forward found Daniel Sissons in space and as Higgs came out to close him down he scooped the ball over the Knutsford man for a deserved equaliser.
The parity was short lived however as within four minutes Mike Jackson, again providing a cross that Richard Smart converted with a neatly taken header back across goal wrong footing Eccleston.
Two minutes before the interval Dean Warburton collected the ball midway in the visitor's half and driving forward he unleashed a screaming shot from all of 30 yards which flew arrow like into the top corner of Grappenhall's goal. The 6' 3" goalkeeper, even at full stretch, did not have a hope of getting near it.
Turning around two goals to the good the Reds had two chances in quick succession to extend their lead in the opening minutes of the second half. Williamson bore down on the Grappenhall goal but slid his shot wide of the upright as did Lee Jackson in almost identical fashion moments later.
It looked as though they may pay for their profligacy as the visitors turned defence quickly into attack and though Sissons looked conspicuously offside the unmarked striker tapped in for his second goal from a distant of inches.
The visitors threatened an equaliser. Ryan Crawford heading wide with the goal at his mercy as home defenders looked questioningly at one another. But on 78 minutes a move and finish good enough to win any game secured the points.
James Pickford traded neat passes with substitute Michael Schofield whose return pass with a clever flick was quite exquisite as was Pickford's finish. He ran onto the return and steered a trademark curling shot with his left foot into the top corner of the hapless Ecclestone's goal.
Team: Higgs; Jackson M, Smart, Jenyons, Jackson L, Cartner (Schofield M 68 mins), Warburton, Pickford (Myers 80 mins), Williamson, Shakoor (Jackson S 75 mins), Rutter.
On Saturday Knutsford are again in League action at Manchester Road when Pilkington are the visitors. Kick off in the game, sponsored by D&PM Sheldon, is 2.00 pm.
