Wrexham Glyndwr 1 Knutsford 6

KNUTSFORD prepared for a head-to-head with a promotion rival by beating back-markers Wrexham on Saturday.

A fourth win from the past five North West Men’s League matches means the Black Knights will swap places with third-placed Neston South Wirral seconds if they win this weekend.

An early double for Sam Bowker set them on course for victory in north Wales.

He flicked into an empty net after captain Dave Price’s shot had been diverted his way by the home team’s goalkeeper.

A second followed after Mat Hodge, Max Berkeley and Price combined on the right to tee up Bowker who finished smartly.

By the time player-coach Simon Trenbirth slotted in a penalty corner to make it 3-0, Knutsford were in complete control.

Mark Osborne got his name on the scoresheet before the break, finishing well from the top of the D after Jim Halling and Tom Lewis created an opening.

Wrexham netted a consolation early in the second period after a lapse of concentration in the visitors’ backline allowed a long forward pass to reach the hosts’ centre forward.

He swept in to make it 4-1.

However Knutsford established again a four-goal advantage when Price turned in Lewis’ reverse-stick shot at the back post.

Settled once more, the Black Knights put together the move of the match to add gloss when Ed Higgs applied the finishing touch to a six-man sequence.

“We’re happy to win that well away from home,” said Price afterwards.

“But we’re frustrated at how we played, and did not reach the heights of the previous game.”