Wilmslow 6 Knutsford 1

KNUTSFORD could not add the Cheshire Men's Plate to their league title on Saturday, when they succumbed to the holders.

Wilmslow, who play two tiers higher, instead retain a trophy they had won last season.

The Black Knights were frustrated that two of the umpire's decisions - first, to deny them a penalty stroke before ruling out a goal from a short corner - prevented them from taking the lead.

They fell behind shortly afterwards, and trailed 3-0 by the interval at Deeside Ramblers after conceding twice more.

Knutsford struggled to cope with Wilmslow pressing high up the pitch in the second period, and their opponents added to their advantage from a rehearsed short-corner routine.

Fortune continued to evade the underdogs, particularly when a goal-bound shot deflected off a defender.

Tom Lewis fired high past Wilmslow's goalkeeper after reaching a rebound first, only for the goal to be disallowed because the umpire did not grant an advantage.

Jonny Price tapped home following fine approach play down the left, making it 4-1, only for Wilmslow to increase their tally by punishing individual errors.

Andy Hunt claimed a hat-trick for the victors, while Steve Edmonds - twice - and Ric Pheiffer also found the net.