Crewe...0

KNUTSFORD produced a solid display and took all three points against Crewe despite being reduced to 10 men for the last 30 minutes.

They started the game without regular forwards Stuart Dow and Paul Fry, mid-fielders Ryan Gilligan and Scott Masheder and defenders Chris Leigh, Andy Brown, Steve Kenyon and Kevan Gibbons.

The defence must have caused most concern for manager Dow, but they produced a fine performance limiting Crewe to a couple of chances that were dealt with in his usual competent manner by goalkeeper Daine Johnson.

If anything it was the guile and creativity usually supplied by Kenyon that was missed the most.

Knutsford started brightly with Craig Stevens having a shot cleared off the line and then blazing over from close range two minutes later.

Stevens also produced a surging run mid-way through the half and had a long-range shot which went comfortably wide of the Crewe goal.

At half-time Nick Hall replaced the injured Ryan Barnhill and with the lack of penetration in front of goal Dow pushed Alan Brown forward to support Platt and Hartley.

Dow's tactics produced a much improved second-half performance with the mid-field of Ian Habbersham, Stevens and Burnett working tirelessly.

Within 10 minutes Knutsford took the lead with a scorching volley by Mike Burnett from well outside the penalty area.

With 30 minutes remaining Matt Hitchen was sent off for retaliation after being kicked off the ball.

The initial incident by the Crewe forward went unpunished.

Undeterred Knutsford continued to play the better football and the defence of Noel Cunningham, Hall and James Habbersham stood firm.

On 25 minutes Burnett's pass was met by a spectacular volley from Hall which just dipped over the bar.

With five minutes remaining skipper Paul Hartley, standing in for Chris Leigh, was replaced by Scott Masheder who returned from injury.

Impact

Masheder almost made an immediate impact with a cross that hit the bar and the rebound almost being converted by Brown.

Overall Dow was pleased with his team's performance which kept Knutsford in fourth place.

The game scheduled for Tuesday at home to Middlewich has been postponed.

Knutsford meet Cheadle Heath Nomads away next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

TEAM: Johnson, Cunningham, J Habbersham, Alan Brown, Hitchen, Stevens, Burnett, Hartley (Masheder 85), I Habbersham, Platt, Barnhill (Hall 45). Substitute not used Hargreaves.

KNUTSFORD produced a solid display and took all three points against Crewe despite being reduced to 10 men for the last 30 minutes.

They started the game without regular forwards Stuart Dow and Paul Fry, mid-fielders Ryan Gilligan and Scott Masheder and defenders Chris Leigh, Andy Brown, Steve Kenyon and Kevan Gibbons.

The defence must have caused most concern for manager Dow, but they produced a fine performance limiting Crewe to a couple of chances that were dealt with in his usual competent manner by goalkeeper Daine Johnson.

If anything it was the guile and creativity usually supplied by Kenyon that was missed the most.

Knutsford started brightly with Craig Stevens having a shot cleared off the line and then blazing over from close range two minutes later.

Stevens also produced a surging run mid-way through the half and had a long-range shot which went comfortably wide of the Crewe goal.

At half-time Nick Hall replaced the injured Ryan Barnhill and with the lack of penetration in front of goal Dow pushed Alan Brown forward to support Platt and Hartley.

Dow's tactics produced a much improved second-half performance with the mid-field of Ian Habbersham, Stevens and Burnett working tirelessly.

Within 10 minutes Knutsford took the lead with a scorching volley by Mike Burnett from well outside the penalty area.

With 30 minutes remaining Matt Hitchen was sent off for retaliation after being kicked off the ball.

The initial incident by the Crewe forward went unpunished.

Undeterred Knutsford continued to play the better football and the defence of Noel Cunningham, Hall and James Habbersham stood firm.

On 25 minutes Burnett's pass was met by a spectacular volley from Hall which just dipped over the bar.

With five minutes remaining skipper Paul Hartley, standing in for Chris Leigh, was replaced by Scott Masheder who returned from injury.

Masheder almost made an immediate impact with a cross that hit the bar and the rebound almost being converted by Brown.

Overall Dow was pleased with his team's performance which kept Knutsford in fourth place.

The game scheduled for Tuesday at home to Middlewich has been postponed.

Knutsford meet Cheadle Heath Nomads away next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

TEAM: Johnson, Cunningham, J Habbersham, Alan Brown, Hitchen, Stevens, Burnett, Hartley (Masheder 85), I Habbersham, Platt, Barnhill (Hall 45). Substitute not used Hargreaves.