Knutsford 3 Neston South Wirral 2nd 2

SAM Bowker scored a decisive goal to send Knutsford above their guests in the table.

It extends the Black Knights’ winning sequence in the North West Men’s League’s second tier to three matches – their best run of results this season.

A trip to Lancaster University awaits this Saturday, push back midday.

But they head north buoyed by emerging as victors from a close encounter with Neston.

The Price brothers, captain Dave and Jonny, both had chances to score an opening goal, while at the other end Tom Wright’s intervention thwarted the visitors.

Knutsford edged ahead when Simon Trenbirth flicked with force into the corner after Keelan Sherwani, released by Jim Halling’s smart pass, sent the ball onto an opponent’s foot.

Neston restored parity following a counter-attack from the middle of the pitch, only for the home team to make it 2-1 when Max Berkeley applied a cool finish in the D to a move involving Tom Lewis and Stuart Kenyon.

The visitors played for a spell a man down following a yellow card for a foul on Sherwani, but the Black Knights could not take advantage.

Instead, an equaliser followed when a shot sneaked past Wright at the near post.

Bowker’s moment arrived with a quarter of an hour left, when he was first to a loose ball after Neston’s goalkeeper denied one of his teammate from a short corner.

Lewis escaped serious sanction for a hefty tackle with time running out, then Mat Hodge was penalised for breaking early from the resulting short corner.

But Knutsford’s lead stayed intact.

Results

North West Men’s League

Division Six South: Neston South Wirral 6th 6 Knutsford 2nd 6

Cheshire Women’s League

Division Two: Triton 2nd 3 Knutsford 2