CHAMPIONS Knutsford cruised to victory as the Cheshire League campaign started on Saturday, putting four goals without reply past Billinge.

Carlos Edmondson and new recruit Rod Thornley, formerly of Altrincham and Witton Albion, were on target inside the first half hour before goals from substitutes Ebbie Rezayan and Michael Cartner swelled Reds’ tally late on.

The opening day’s biggest victory belonged though to newly-promoted Barnton, who reached double figures in a thrashing of Denton Town.

Colin Quirk helped himself to a first half hat-trick, while further goals from Billy Webb, Tony Wynne and Andrew Morgan left them six-goals better off than the hosts at the interval.

Substitute Joe Jennings scored shortly after half time, then Webb doubled his personal haul to make it 8-0.

There was still time Dexy Hanley and Jennings, twice, to hit the net in an 11-0 success that earned the Villagers a mention on SKY Sports.

Middlewich Town, under new manager Mike Fagan-Hall, suffered a 5-1 defeat at Linotype Cheadle Heath.

Andrew Pennington’s opener gave the Witches encouragement, only for Vinnie Braine to bag a treble as the home team recovered.

Newcomers Rudheath Social, making their debut in the top tier, endured an afternoon to forget at Griffiths Park as visitors Garswood United scored six times.

Lloyd Deane, Carl Addison and Scott Baker each found the net to put the away team in control before Danny Bell celebrated his birthday with a fourth after half time.

Deane made it five before Stuart Tulloch’s consolation gave Steve Lloyd’s men respite. Deane scored from the spot to complete the scoring, and his hat-trick.

Crewe pinched the points from Rylands thanks to substitute Ben Burrow’s scrambled stoppage time winner.

The hosts had led after half an hour when Matthew Pearson converted from close range following a defensive mix-up, although James Daniels’ header restored parity on the hour.

Dave Parr’s men were grateful to goalkeeper Andrew Moor when he saved Pearson’s penalty after substitute Paul Hudson was fouled, then Scott Tebb swerved a free kick against an upright at the other end.

Burrow’s decisive goal followed soon afterwards for Crewe.

Elsewhere Michael Dewhurst scored twice as Gamesley thrashed Pilkington while Eagle Sports, runners-up last season, eased to victory against Whaley Bridge thanks to goals either side of half time from Chris Quirk and Richard Chinn.

Lee Vaughan and Lee Hughes were on target for Greenalls as they edged out Styal.

Cheshire League
Divison One
Saturday August 10
Crewe FC 2 Rylands 1
Denton Town 0 Barnton 11
Eagle Sports 2 Whaley Bridge 0
Gamesley 4 Pilkington 0
Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds 2 Styal 1
Knutsford 4 Billinge 0
Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads 5 Middlewich Town 1
Rudheath Social 1 Garswood United 6