Knutsford 1-0 Didsbury Northern 2nd

TOM Howard’s late goal for Knutsford ensured they concluded a successful return to the North League on a winning note.

The Black Knights’ co-captain deftly deflected Graeme Wolfenden’s drive cross into the net with four minutes left to end the resistance of determined opponents at Westfield Drive.

It secured for his side a third-place finish in Division Two West.

The home team were positive from the start, applying pressure to a visiting defence that sat deep while trying to play patiently when they took possession.

Knutsford’s high press worked caused problems, but they could not convert any of the chances they created.

Didsbury threatened too and would have taken the lead had it not been for goalkeeper Tom Wright who twice pushed shots onto a post before a teammate scrambled the ball clear of danger.

The Black Knights’ best chance before the break fell to Jonny Price, picked out in the D by Keelan Sherwani, but his effort was saved by the away side’s custodian.

Knutsford continued to attack in the second-half, using their substitutions effectively in search of a way through.

They were gifted an opportunity to take the lead when Wolfenden was fouled cynically after bursting in to the circle but Gary Brown could not convert the resulting penalty-stroke.

Persistence paid as Didsbury started to tire and Wolfenden fired the ball towards Howard who applied a finishing touch.