KNUTSFORD MENS 1s - 3 COLWYN BAY MENS 1s - 2

Knutsford win to stretch unbeaten run to 7 games.

Knutsford made it seven games unbeaten in 2012 as they made hard work of a win against Colwyn Bay, a relative bogey side for them in years gone by. It was a workmanlike performance without being spectacular and the superior discipline of the black knights saw them come away with what on reflection was a deserved victory.

The game started at a good pace with the youngsters of Colwyn bay bustling round the pitch and not allowing Knutsford any time on the ball. When Knutsford did settle down however they were able to play a good brand of passing hockey and penetrated gained a couple of short corners, one of which Simon Trenbrith missed when it seemed easier to score. Unfortunately however and slightly against the run of play Colwyn Bay took the lead when they found someone unmarked in the D and he was able to slot it home.

The goal only seemed to spur Knutsford on however as they went in search of the equaliser – attacking well down the flanks through Dan Allan and Andy Conway without managing to find the final ball. The home side weren’t waiting long however before getting the equalizer they deserved when Trenbrith fired the ball in to Johnny Price – whose deft deflection found Hodge and following a good advantage by the umpire he was able to slot the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Having got the equalizer Knutsford pressed on, looking to secure a lead and were able to following excellent work in the D by captain Mat Hodge who found space and rifled the ball into the far corner giving the goalkeeper no chance.

2-1 at half time and Knutsford felt they were good for the lead, Trenbrith advising the black knights to maintain their discipline and keep playing the passing game that had served them so well for the majority of the season.

Knutsford really looked to push home the advantage in the second half and when the regular back five of Steve Torrie, Danny Leidland, Ian Lawrence, Simon Locked and Jay Punshon stood firm and were able to repel anything thrown at them. Punshon in particular pulled off some great stops to keep his side in the game. Unfortunately Colwyn Bays pressure proved key as they were able to equalize again through a good finish in the D.

Maybe a little naivety followed from Colwyn Bay as they looked to go forward and win the game and this showed when gaps opened up and Knutsford looked to exploit these. Knowing what was at stake the home side were keen to get the win and pressed on in search of the winner. It came as late on in the game Stuart Kenyon found himself in space in the D and his tame shot was pushed into the path of Andy Conway who finished well from a tight angle to give Knutsford the lead again.

The game wound down and Knutsford looked to keep possession starving Colwyn Bay of the ball which they did to end up deserved 3-2 winners. Trenbrith was pleased with the result and the performance after the game, and looking forward to two huge games for Knutsford he commented “The winners in hockey think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do”. In the last two games four points will be enough to see Knutsford promoted back to the top tier of North West Hockey. The first of which is a huge game away at second placed Liverpool University.