Linnets dent Blues play-off position hopes

LEEK Town’s hopes of securing third place in Northern Premier League West – and with it home advantage for the play-offs – were dealt a blow in defeat at fellow high-flyers Runcorn Linnets on Saturday, writes LUKE REYNOLDS.

The Blues kept their hosts at bay until half-time, but Joe Lynch’s penalty 10 minutes after the restart saw them fall behind, before Iwan Murray sealed the win 11 minutes from time.

The Blues knew this would be a game for them with inform Runcorn needing to win to confirm their play-off spot in the NPL West.

Blues manager Neil Baker was fortunate enough to be able to pick from an almost full team, with only Lewis Short still recovering from a leg injury.

The game proved to be a tough encounter with few chances despite the end-toend play.

A large crowd of 742 saw Leek battling to try and overcome a competitive home team that was striving to join the Blues in the NPL West play-offs.

In an even first half that neither side were really able to dominate, it was the Blues who had the first chance and it was fine Ammar Dyer that almost grazed the crossbar from 20 yards out after 20 minutes.

Then, the home team had two good chances to score with chances falling to forwards Murray and Marshhughes.

The match continued to have a very competitive edge, and it was skilful forward Tom Marsh-hughes of Runcorn Linnets who almost scored with a neat finish from a wellstruck cross from Lynch on 40 minutes that somehow Blues goalkeeper Roberts pushed onto the woodwork.

In the second period, the home team started strongly, taking the lead when Linnets’ striker Murray was pushed over by Roberts in the box for a penalty kick.

Lynch confidently struck the ball into the Leek net.

Now Leek began to put heavy pressure on the home team, who defended well, with keeper Mooney pulling off neat saves from Saxon and Trickett-smith.

However, despite some good play from Reeves, Edge and Dyer, Leek could not seem to break down a resolute

Runcorn defence. On 68 minutes, Baker made his first substitutions, bringing on Grocott for Edge and Grice for Davidson with the aim of getting that all-important Leek equaliser.

However, on 79 minutes, the result was sealed by a fantastic run and shot by Linnets forward Iwan Murray from almost 30 yards, a super strike that left away keeper Roberts nowhere near a save.

In the final minutes, both sides attacked, with Leek bringing on Ly for Trickettsmith, but somehow the score stayed the same and the home team deservedly took the points.

A competitive and tight match but a disappointing defeat for the Blues against an impressive Runcorn Linnets side.

BLUES: Roberts, Wara, Keenan, Edge (Grocott 68), Harrison, Ryder, Dyer, Reeves, Saxon, Trickett-smith (Ly 89), Davidson (Grice 68). Subs not used: Glover, Booth

ATTENDANCE: 742