Timperley 1 Knutsford 3

KNUTSFORD Hockey Club's men's first team were back to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable away victory over local rivals Timperley.

The Men in Black opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Lavin turned in Hunter's cross from close range.

The visitors went two ahead shortly afterwards when a fluent passing move involving S Locke, Davenport and Walmsley on the left was rewarded with a penalty corner.

Edwards converted the chance, slotting home a superb flick.

Knutsford worked hard to press home their advantage.

Strong running from A Locke and Allen on the right, fashioned a number of chances but the visitors failed to find the vital final touch.

Frustration in the Timperley ranks boiled over and their influential centre-half was sin-binned.

Things got worse for the home side after the break when they found themselves down to nine men as their captain was sidelined for retaliating to Price's challenge.

Knutsford suffered their own piece of bad luck as the influential Edwards pulled up with a back injury.

Timperley fought hard to stay in the game but could not prevent Knutsford going further ahead as Squirrell slammed in an unstoppable shot from a penalty corner.

Restored to their full complement, Timperley began to fight back.

Gallie and Pedlow marshalled the defence and Armstrong in the Knutsford goal was called on to make two important saves.

The home side pulled back a consolation goal from a penalty corner but it was too little too late.

Knutsford enter the Christmas break third in the league and well placed to push for promotion.