BILLINGE kick-started their season on Saturday when they beat a decent Knutsford outfit 3-0 at Barrows Farm on Saturday.

Every Storks’ player put in an excellent shift led by a solid back three that rarely missed a tackle and kept the ball superbly setting up any number of attacks.

The home side were ahead after six minutes when Ben Hamlett threaded a lovely pass through to Kian Green who advanced into the area only to be upended for a penalty.

Hamlett stepped up to fire home to give Billinge an early lead.

Knutsford’s response was immediate as Tom Bowey brought a stunning save from The Storks keeper Will White.

However Billinge regained their composure and took a grip of the game.

On the half-hour mark Smith saved well from Green before Hamlett produced another sublime pass to set up Woodroffe only for the keeper to again save well.

The Storks finished the half strongly as terrific work from Ryan White set up Lewis Dixon whose long-range effort went just wide of the post.

The home side’s pressure paid off as they doubled their lead just before half-time as another great Hamlett pass found Green in space.

The striker let the ball bounce before elegantly chipping Smith to send The Storks into the interval two goals ahead.

The second-half followed the same pattern as Hamlett had a shot saved and then on 57 minutes Billinge stalwart Richie Allen made it 3-0.

Sam Jones produced a terrific run and cross that Allen met, acrobatically hooking the ball into the back of the net with an overhead kick.

On 63 minutes Woodroffe was again denied by Smith as the keeper kept out his powerful shot.

Whilst Billinge had (had) most of the game the last quarter belonged to the visitors who pressed hard.

On 78 minutes Will Smith produced an incredible fingertip save to keep out Jack Naylor’s header before Olly Filson put in a wonder tackle to deny Charlie Roddick what looked to be a certain goal.

The Storks saw out the final minutes to keep a clean sheet and pick up an excellent victory, leaving manager Dave Morris a happy man saying: “I’m really pleased for the lads.

“We were again down on numbers but every player gave me everything and more.

“Thankfully there’s a free week which should enable the lads that played with injuries time to rest up before we go again next week.

The man-of-the-match award went to Kai Green for his non-stop performance, Knutsford nominated Richie Allen .

Billinge are at home on Saturday against Blacon Youth in a 2pm kick-off.

 

Pictures: Terry Pope.