Golborne Sports ... 0 Knutsford .... 1
Knutsford strengthened their position as leaders of the Cheshire League with a fifth league victory in succession on Saturday.
However, the game was as tight as the scoreline suggests, an encounter with few chances played out in poor conditions. Both the uneven playing surface and a biting chilly wind rendered good football nigh on impossible. As a spectacle the departing spectators would have forgotten it before they exited the gates of Stone Cross Lane, however as a result this could be a landmark day in Knutsford's season.
Following heavy overnight rain the game only survived from being postponed due to an over generous amount of grass on a heavy pitch, most unsuitable to Knutsford's slick passing game. This was a day to dig in and grind out a result and to their credit Paul Schofield's young side were equal to the task.
Golborne worked tremendously hard with a high intensity and it became instantly clear that their pressing game allied to playing long balls on the break to their speedy front two, would make this an uncomfortable afternoon for the leaders. Their lowly league position has not come about with performances like this.
With midfielder Ebbie Rezayan completing the final game of his suspension here and goalkeeper Mark Higgs enduring his one match ban, the Reds signed Tom Read as goalkeeping cover and his quality was immediately evident as he kept the visitors in the game in the opening minutes. Richard Smart, who recovered to have a fine game at the heart of defence, allowed the ball to roll over his foot but he had Read to thank as the goalkeeper rescued the situation with an excellent fingertip save to deny the home side's Matt Hughes.
The opening encouraged Golborne as they enjoyed a period of pressure with Knutsford struggling to come to terms with the conditions and the pace of the game. They did respond though as Rutter fired a shot narrowly wide against the wind and from Cartner's spectacular overhead kick Williamson, stretching, could only head too high of Golborne's goal.
The hosts were tenacious in the tackle, Hughes (for repeated fouling) and Phil Johnson found their way into referee Mr. Darby's notebook before the hard working Gary Shannon demonstrated the right type of aggression driving a shot that Read parried away.
Stalemate prevailed beyond the hour mark when, not surprisingly in such conditions, a mistake contributed to the defining moment of the afternoon. On 65 minutes Rutter showing sharp awareness came off his marker down Knutsford's right flank and deftly headed a clever pass down the line for Cartner to chase. Cartner directed his cross but it was too close to home keeper Goodwin who had Dean Warburton closing in on him. The keeper miscued his clearance and the ball fell invitingly to Warburton, who to his credit had not given up Cartner's ball as a lost cause, and steadying himself he stroked the ball home into Golborne's unprotected net. It was fitting that the Knutsford man should claim the all important strike as he toiled away relentlessly in conditions not befitting his normal game.
Goodwin quickly atoned for his error when saving excellently at full stretch to a Warburton thunderbolt but the Knutsford man's eleventh goal of the campaign could prove to be his most important . With some daunting fixtures to come this was a game Knutsford needed to win and by being able to grind out the result it will send out a message that will not be lost on their title rivals.
Team: Read; Jackson M, Smart, Jenyons, Jackson L; Cartner (Jones 80 mins), Warburton, Jackson S, Pickford; Rutter (Shakoor 84), Williamson (Barry 65). Subs (n/u) Schofield M, Myers.
On Saturday Knutsford are back down the East Lancs road heading to Garswood United. Kick Off at Simms Lane is 2.00 pm.
There is football at Manchester Road when the club attempt to host, at the third time of asking, the Altrincham FA Senior Cup semi-final between Sale United and Sale Town.
This is a memer post by Kevin Deeley.
