Knutsford 6 Bangor University 2

KNUTSFORD started a new year in the same way they ended the previous one - as victors.

The Black Knights have now won seven of their past eight matches in the North West League's second tier, leaving them five points adrift of first place.

They led after quarter of an hour at Westfield Drive on Saturday, when Jonny Price fired past the visitors' goalkeeper from inside the D following a flowing move on the right.

A second goal followed before the break, captain Dave Price sending a drag flick from a short corner into the net after Adam Locke's progress up the wing was halted by a Bangor defender's boot.

There was enough time for another goal, claimed by Jim Halling with a slotted finish after Tom Howard recovered possession.

The pattern did not deviate after the interval, and Knutsford needed only two minutes to make it 4-0.

Simon Trenbirth slipped a short corner to Tom Lewis and, after his initial attempt was saved, Mat Hodge pounced to push the rebounded ball over the line.

His second of the contest was a carbon copy.

This time Trenbirth diverted a short corner into Keelan Sherwani's path, but his attempt was too close to the away team's custodian.

Hodge needed no second invitation to steer in the loose ball.

Price then added a sixth goal with a scooped shot from another set piece that deceived Bangor's net-minder.

The Welsh outfit spoiled Tom Wright's clean sheet though by scoring twice in the closing stages, both from short corners.

Knutsford visit City of Manchester this Saturday, push back 12.30pm.