Division 1 Weekly Roundup

Division One

Shaun Alcock, Craig Millington and Ryan Jackson all scored for Rudheath Social as they beat Billinge 3-0 away from home to move the home side up to fourth with three games in hand over Garswood who sit in top spot.

Stephen Latham gave Barnton a 1st minute lead as they played Garswood United in a first v second class. Garswood turned the tables and went 3-1 up to retain their place at the top of the table but a determined Barnton fought to the final whistle with Joe Jennings making it 3-2 in the 90th minute.

Rylands? seven game unbeaten run came to an end with a shock defeat at the home of bottom of the league Middlewich Town. A superb goal from Sam O?Sullivan five minutes from the break was enough to earn the points after an abject performance from Rylands, who failed to trouble the home keeper until the final minute when Kris Bell missed a glorious chance to rescue a point but saw the keeper save his close range effort when clean through on goal.

The game started with Rylands enjoying the early possession but on a very poor surface they were unable to create a chance until the eighth minute when James Daniels headed straight at the keeper when well placed inside the penalty area. Gradually Middlewich gained a foothold in the game and O?Sullivan gave notice of his shooting abilities with a good strike which Andy Moor turned aside.

A deep cross by Adam Morris gave Bryning the chance to test Moor again with a header and then the same player wasted a glorious opportunity when he drove a shot wide from an angle of the six yard area. Little had been seen of a distinctly below par Rylands, as an attacking force but Ben Slater broke clear and crossed for former Middlewich man, Alex Lowe to drive a shot just wide of the goal.

As the half drew to a close, Middlewich took the lead when O?Sullivan cleared a superb shot beyond Moor from Twenty-five yards after the visitors had failed to clear a routine cross. The second half continued in the same manner, Middlewich remained well organised and looked dangerous on the counter attack and almost secured the points ten minutes from time when Goryll hit the crossbar with a fierce drive. As Rylands at last stirred themselves Kris Bell had a glorious chance to rescue a point when a Daniels pass saw him race clear on goal but the keeper saved well as he looked certain to score.

Crewe remain in third spot despite losing 3-2 at home to Whaley Bridge, while Gamesley stormed to a 4-0 thrashing of Styal.

A Rob Hanley hat trick secured all three points for Greenalls PSO as they beat Denton Town 3-0, while Eagle Sports beat Pilkington 3-1 away from home.

Linotype CHN inflicted a fourth home defeat of the season to an under par Knutsford side, leaving the Reds eleven points off the top of the table. Knutsford have not won any of the last five games at Manchester Road in all competitions, goals from Leon Grandison and Raul Corriea extended that run on Saturday.
Linotype were on top straight away as Knutsford struggled to keep hold of possession in the early stages. Leon Grandison could have put the visitor?s ahead inside 60 seconds when he collected Jack Taylor?s cross but blazed his strike over. Former Knutsford front man Reece Davies had his first chance when a loose ball fell to him 25 yards from goal, but he drive was too high to trouble Mark Higgs.
Knutsford almost took the lead against the run of play when Mike Cartner?s long ball set Gary Prescott clear, but his first-time effort was parried away by Danny Rothel. Reece Davies found himself unmarked at the far post moments later when Taylor?s free kick was flicked on by Steve Jenyons, but his volley was wide of the near post.
Linotype?s high pressing game was proving successful; Adam Stuart won the ball from Kingsley Grandison in midfield and fired a low effort that was well held by Higgs. Knutsford grew in to the game as the half went on and had some much-needed lengthy spells of possession. Their best chance fell to Joe Woolley when Richard Smart?s cross reached him on the edge of the area, but he chested down and volleyed high and wide.
The visitor?s should have taken the lead soon after, Stuart again won the ball high up the pitch and crossed for Davies who couldn?t find the target from six yards with a stooping header. Prescott forced Rothel in to another save before the break when he collected Kingsley Grandison?s flick and managed to get his shot in from an angle, but the Linotype keeper smothered the ball. Linotype took the lead seven minutes in to the second half. Leon Grandison?s strike was impressive as he bent in a beauty of an effort from 25 yards. After going ahead, the visitors protected their lead well and frustrated Knutsford who couldn?t get going throughout the half.
Linotype looked the more likely to score next, with Phil Yuille volleying wide from 20 yards, before Leon Grandison took down a long ball in the area and also failed to hit the target when he had more time than he realised. Knutsford?s first real chance of the half came when Prescott sent Rod Thornley away but his left-footed strike was straight at Rothel. Their best opportunity came with five minutes to go, when another substitute Liam Myers cut inside and laid off Joe Woolley whose low drive across went inches wide.
Linotype secured the win in the 90th minute when Jenyons tripped Leon Grandison in the area. Raul Corriea sent Higgs the wrong way from the spot to earn his side three points. Knutsford had one last chance in injury time when Jenyons fired over from Thornley?s cross, but it was a deserved win for Linotype against a lacklustre Knutsford side.