Prior to the game against Knutsford 1s on Saturday afternoon both teams participated in a minutes silence for Keswick clubman Gordon Atkinson, who sadly passed away earlier in the week.
Eager to bounce back from a defeat against Blackburn Northern the week before, Keswick started positively, and almost opened the scoring when Luke Heap hit the side netting with a reverse stick shot. Mark Proctor also went close early on after rounding the keeper, but was unable to finish from a tight angle.
Keswick eventually opened the deadlock when Proctor found Clive Swanston in the D who finished neatly passed the Knutsford goalkeeper.
Keswick then scored a second goal minutes later from a short corner, with Charlie Jackson finding the bottom right corner of the net.
Proctor then got himself on the scoresheet late on in the first half after receiving a ball from Heap at the top of the D and finishing through the goalkeepers legs to give Keswick a 3-0 lead at half time.
Ben Harrison, who made his first team debut of the season, worked tirelessly all afternoon, putting in a great performance.
The central defensive partnership of Paul Randell and Jamie O’Shea also kept Knutsford at bay throughout the afternoon, neutralising any attacks, and playing the ball out from defence brilliantly.
Going into the second half Knutsford upped their performance and scored 2 goals within the first 15 minutes to give Keswick an edgy 20 minutes with the score at 3 – 2.
Keswick were then awarded a penalty flick after a foul from a goal line scramble.
Proctor stepped up to take the flick, but was denied his second goal of the game after a good save from the Knutsford goalkeeper.
Minutes later Keswick finally got their fourth goal of the game after Shaun Wilson stuck the ball superbly from the top of the D, finding the bottom corner of the goal after an assist from Mark Bowen.
Late on Keswick grabbed a fifth after Paul Sloan slipped the ball to Heap on the right hand side, who found Proctor in the box ready to finish comfortably, scoring his second of the game. Final score Keswick 5 vs Knutsford 2.
With other results going their way Keswick now find themselves at the top of the table on goal difference in the North West Hockey League Division 2.
Keswick will be hoping to pick another 3 points on Saturday when the travel away to City of Manchester 2s.