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17/02/18
This was the long awaited ‘top of the table clash’ with the visitors really needing to take something from the game if Knutsford weren’t to go 9 points clear with 14 games played and 14 remaining.
Whaley got off to a flying start and, whilst half the crowd were still in the pie shop, Bill Sutton floated a free kick over from the right for young Sam Leadbetter to direct his header into the top corner leaving the Knutsford keeper Moore stationary, the home crowd somewhat bemused and the numerous away support beaming.
After about 20 minutes the increasingly impressive Dan Gilbride provided a sublime through ball to put Ledbetter in between two Knutsford defenders; clean through on goal Sam was tripped just as he was about to shoot but although the referee didn’t see fit to brandish a card he did award a penalty which Bill Sutton duly buried.
No one could argue that the half-time score wasn’t a true reflection of the game thus far; the visitors content to let the home side knock the ball around in their own third but with the midfield of Barlow, Sutton, Gilbride & G Burgess effectively closing Knutsford’s experienced midfield down at every opportunity to stifle any progress forward whilst still creating chances on the break.
Whaley 2-0 up at half time; Tattersall redundant in the first half didn’t have a save to make!
Early second half now and Whaley continued where they left off; gradually taking control and winning the lion’s share of possession, they continued to play at a high tempo and to create chances. Jack Kelly beat his marker but his powerful low drive was deflected by a defender just over the bar; Sam Leadbetter clean through on goal blasted his shot into the side netting.
Sam Leadbetter was running Knutsford ragged down the left and on three occasions created havoc in the Knutsord defence. The first cross found Kelly who headed just wide, the second cross saw the advancing Gilbride just fail to find the finishing touch with the goal empty and finally another unselfish ball pulled back saw Sutton slice his shot with only the keeper to beat.
Kelly, having one of his best games and looking fit held the ball up well throughout, made a direct run on goal going by several defenders to then unselfishly square for Leadbetter to drive in with his right foot to put the visitors 3 up.
Ultimately Leadbetter completed a magnificent and well deserved hatrick. After receiving a short throw in Will Bailey had time to direct a diagonal ball into Sam’s path; he controlled first time and half volleyed hard and low past Moore.
The rampage continued when Joe Burgess met a far post cross but headed straight into the keepers hands; however within minutes he made amends when he headed an almost identical cross wide of the keeper for a deserved 5-0 lead.
With ten minutes to go Knutsford finally began to move the ball around as they like to do albeit the game was well and truly over by then. Whaley’s back four were possibly tiring having not played for weeks but nevertheless continued to stand firm throughout. Superbly marshalled by Captain Newton……. Streets, Broome, and Bailey never looked troubled - a Ben Brooks shot was all the home side could muster.
Minutes left and a Brooks run was blocked by Streets and Newton but as he turned away from goal the referee somehow adjudged that he had been tripped and so Knutsford gained late and unexpected consolation through an Owens penalty.
Mom, in a game which featured a terrific overall team performance that Knutsford couldn’t match, really has to go to Sam Leadbetter for his hatrick and two assists.
This result will ensure that the league will remain competitive probably until the last game of the season; WBAFC v Knutsford on May 19th believe it or not!
J Tattersall; W Bailey; R Newton(c); J Broome; G Burgess; A Barlow; D Gilbride; B Sutton(1); S Leadbetter(3); J Kelly
J Burgess (1) 67; J Kay 77; J Gemmill 80 |
