Dazzled by opposition performance.

Neston delivered a dazzling attacking exhibition to destroy Knutsford.

Neston’s early strikes from perfectly executed short corners put Neston in charge early on. Before Knutsford had chance to reshuffle the star strikers had struck again to make it 3 – 0 and a nightmare start for the blacks.

Nat Riley was fed through by a perfectly timed ball from Katie Allan to pull a goal back just before the break; her shot placed into the bottom corner. However, 2 minutes after the break Neston slid home another composed finish to make it 4 -1 and a seemingly up hill task for the travelling side.

It was quite the opposite from a roll over from Knutsford; who had Steph Barlow in goal who put in a virtuoso display, to keep the goal tally down (for the time being).

Knutsford at times were giving an excellent display in adversity and were passing the ball well round an unbreakable defence. They were showing plenty of spirit despite their obvious deficiencies, and had a few chances of their own to try and claw back the goals. However, it was becoming more apparent that Knutsford wouldn’t have to just beat the 11 players of Neston, but their man in blue as well.

A few controversial decisions against the away side gave Knutsford fresh impetus for a while, seemingly trying to prove they could ride Neston tackles that would be more suitable in the New Zealand sawmilling trade but they were eventually undone by more attacking splendour to make it 5 -1 and more than Everest to climb.

Knutsford then wasted a glorious opportunity to at least grab at a very slender lifeline when a through ball was just over hit to put through a one on one with the keeper.

Neston were producing some flamboyant hockey, but it was a goalmouth scramble that gave them their sixth with 10 minutes left.

Barlow had just saved well with her feet, and when Knutsford lost the on form Neston striker on the left, she pounced from close range to score.

Knutsford were fighting right to the death but Neston rolled forward in wave after wave of attacks, and it was no surprise when they added a seventh with five minutes left.

Despite the score line Knutsford knew they were beaten by a better team and realising that the day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day you stop making any excuses, that’s the day you start to the top.

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