AFTER a traumatic opening two games to the season, Knutsford finally got their first Mid-Cheshire League points on the board as they won at Manchester Road on Saturday.

The important thing was for Stewart Dow's side to put behind them their horrendous opening two games to the campaign and scrape a result - no matter how it was achieved.

Jamie Mottershead returned as goalkeeper following a finger injury.

In defence they still lacked an organisational inspiration and both Stuart Bell and Chris Leigh were missing again.

Leigh's absence was highlighted on 20 minutes when Knutsford won a penalty with Fry being pushed by the visitors' Ellis.

With the normal penalty taker missing Ryan Barnhill took responsibility and put Knutsford in front for the first time this season with a low driven kick to Watterson's right.

Suitably inspired, Barnhill again demonstrated a supreme set piece routine when he stepped up from 25 yards to score with a dipping, sweetly struck, free kick that put some daylight between the sides on 35 minutes.

Mottershead made a reflex save from Poynton's best player before Barnhill had the last say of the first half when he cracked a first time 30 yard volley just before the break that produced a fine save from Poynton's goalkeeper as he turned the ball away

Slide

After the hour player-manager Dow made his first appearance of the season replacing the splendid Barnhill, whose lack of pre-season training was taking its toll.

On 72 minutes the hard working Paul Fry, leading goal scorer last season, opened his account this time around when a forward slide rule pass from Grant Ingles was received by Fry and the Knutsford forward steadied himself before sliding his shot below Watterson's despairing drive.

It was hardly vintage Knutsford but after their opening two games it was a relief for all concerned to gain three valuable points and steady the ship.

On Saturday they travel for their first ever visit to Golborne Sports, kick off 3pm.

The Warrington side won the second division last season and earned a reputation for being a fine side so Knutsford will have their work cut out.

TEAM: Mottershead, G Ingles, Potts, Francis, Moss, Rix (Wright 77 minutes), Stevens, R Ingles (Riley 77 minutes), Taylor, Barnhill (Dow 65 minutes), Fry.